Fresno will get new economic development director. He’s worked in other Valley areas

The city of Fresno will have a new economic development director beginning next month.

Lance Lippincott will begin his new role Oct. 10, city officials announced Tuesday. He comes from the Kings County Economic Development Corporation, where, as the president and CEO, he oversaw business expansion, managed dozens of business attraction leads and coordinated economic development activities in Kings County.

Lippincott also designed and created new programs to serve businesses and residents through his role as the director of Economic and Workforce Development at Kings County’s Job Training Office. Before that, Lippincott worked for Merced County’s Workforce Investment Department.

“I am very excited and honored to join the incredibly dynamic city of Fresno team,” Lippincott said in a city news release. “I look forward to learning of current business attraction, retention and expansion efforts in the Fresno economy and how those efforts can be built upon going forward.”

Lippincott will report to City Manager Georgeanne White and Mayor Jerry Dyer, who both expressed their excitement for him to join Dyer’s administration. White called Lippincott a “bridge builder” who knows the value of relationships and partnerships.

“Business attraction and retention are absolutely vital to the growth and prosperity of our city and are a top priority of my administration,” Dyer said. “I know that Lance’s experience and his proven track record as a leader will help to take this department to the next level.”

Lippincott earned his bachelor’s degree from California State University, Chico and a law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School at Western Michigan University.

Lippincott will take the reins from acting director Kelly Trevino. City officials did not immediately share what Lippincott’s salary would be.

Lippincott’s hiring is a key move in Dyer’s promise to the Fresno City Council to revamp the economic development department.

During the city’s June budget hearings, the Fresno City Council briefly discussed closing the department to create a new housing department. Dyer’s administration requested from the council more time to revamp the department before shuttering it.

The council agreed, giving the mayor and city manager one year to work on it.