Florida Economic Development Regions
Florida boasts eight vibrant and growing economic development regions. Each region is an active participant in the Florida Economic Development Council and the regional directors serve as members of our leadership team.
Regional Directors




Verdell Hawkins – Northwest Regional Director
Economic Development Manager, Gulf Power
Email: vhawkins@nexteraenergy.com




Glenn Hunter – North Central Regional Director
Executive Director, Columbia County Economic Development
Email: ghunter@columbiacountyfla.com




Heidi Jameson – Northeast Regional Director
Director Of Business Development at JAXUSA Partnership
Email: hjameson@jaxusa.org




Jaksa Petrovic, MA, CEcD, EDFP – Tampa Bay Regional Director
Manager, Corporate Business Development, Hillsborough County Economic Development Dept.
Email: petrovicj@HillsboroughCounty.org




Warren Baucom – Southwest Regional Director
Director, Partnerships & Entrepreneurial Activities, Lee County Economic Development
Email: wbaucom@leegov.com




David Coddington, LEED AP – Southeast Regional Director
Vice President of Business Development at the Greater Ft. Lauderdale Alliance Email: dcoddington@gflalliance.org




Sarah Pelham – South Central Regional Director
EDC Coordinator, Hardee County Economic Development
Email: sarah.pelham@hardeemail.com




Tracy Garcia, CEcD, EcDMP – East Central Regional Director
Director, Elevate Lake
Email: tgarcia@lakecountyfl.gov