Jason Cannon

President @Wake Forest Business & Industry Partnership

Wake Forest, NC, US

Spearheaded creation of the non-for-profit Wake Forest Business & Industry Partnership (WFBIP) in 2016 and currently leading strategic efforts including:• Creation of a Live-WORK-Play Tech Park is a cornerstone of the WFBIP economic development strategy. Leading collaborative efforts between the Town and private property owners, a joint land development agreement is leading a high density mixed-use development to provide more high paying, tech-focused job opportunities in Wake Forest, the 8th fastest growing town in North Carolina; • Launching Wake Forest Entrepreneurial Co-Working Incubator by recruiting Loading Dock, a shared, community-focused workspace for new and existing local entrepreneurs, successful startups, and small technology companies designed to provide strategic resources and relevant programming to advance even greater growth and sustained success. The project brings a $182M annual county-wide economic impact, over 430 jobs into Downtown Wake Forest (150 newly created), and a $4M restoration to a blighted and underutilized warehouse while expanding the Town’s historic core. • Facilitating numerous development projects currently advancing in Wake Forest representing tens of millions of dollars in new private investment to the Town including innovative mixed-use developments (i.e. Grove 98) as well as the expansion of industrial development opportunities such as Merritt Capital Business Park; • Business Retention & Expansion Program providing ongoing resources to many thriving businesses in Wake Forest including support with infrastructure, workforce development, and other needs; • Marketing Wake Forest as an economic development center with highly sophisticated work opportunities & as a prime destination for small and large businesses through digital media, videography, photography, graphic design, promotional materials, and campaign driven initiatives to produce and push content across a variety of platforms;

East Carolina University

North Carolina Certified Economic Developer (NCCED), Economic Development

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Certificate, Basic Economic Development Course

Arizona State University

Certified Public Manager (CPM) Accreditation

UNC School of Government

Public Executive Leadershp Acadmy (PELA)

Advanced Economic Development Leadership Program (AEDL)

Master Economic Development Practitioner (MEDP) Certification, Economic Development

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Double Major: Political Science & Sociology

UNC School of Government

Municipal County Administration (MCA) Program Certification

North Carolina State University

Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.), Public Administration