The Charlotte Regional Business Alliance has named its first CEO. Janet LaBar comes to Charlotte from Portland, Oregon, where she leads that area's regional business recruiting organization.
The alliance was formed at the end of 2018 by the merger of the Charlotte Chamber and the Charlotte Regional Partnership. The two groups last September announced plans to combine, in hopes of improving marketing and recruiting for the 16-county Charlotte region.
Former Charlotte Chamber CEO Bob Morgan withdrew his name from consideration for the job in December. And Ronnie Bryant, former head of the Charlotte Regional Partnership, said after the merger was announced that he wouldn't seek the job.
LaBar was chosen after a four-month nationwide search. She starts the new job in April.
“The Charlotte region has long been a leader in regional economic development, and I’m elated to shape the future of a market with an incredible appetite to be the best and where everyone can benefit from a prosperous economy,” LaBar said in a statement Monday.
LaBar currently runs Greater Portland Inc., which handles marketing and business recruiting for the city and region. She also previously worked in Phoenix.
RELATED LINKS
Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, https://charlotteregion.com/
