The Henry County Development Authority’s board of directors has made its selection regarding a new executive director.
The board announced August 6 that F.J. “Josh” Fenn was the sole finalist for the job. Georgia law requires a minimum 14-day waiting period between the announcement of finalists for the position and an official vote to offer an employment agreement, so the deal is expected to be finalized in late August. Fenn’s expected start date is September 1.
“Our goal throughout this executive search process has been to find the most qualified professional in the economic development field that fits the needs of Henry County today and in the future,” said board chair and District 5 representative Pierre Clements. “Josh has the experience, contacts and knowledge of the industry to move our community forward in terms of diversification of businesses and developing an economic development strategy for the future.”
Fenn will succeed Leonard Sledge, who left in May to become the head of the Department of Economic Development for the city of Richmond, Va.
Since the beginning of 2016 Fenn has been the director of business development for ECS Southeast, LLP which has a subsidiary in Marietta. Before that he held the president/CEO and director of economic development positions with the Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce in Jefferson. He also served in top leadership positions throughout Georgia with the Development Authority of Bryan County, the Eastman-Dodge County Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Downtown Waycross Development Authority.
A graduate of LaGrange College, Fenn is active in the Georgia Economic Developers Association, Southern Economic Development Council, National Association of Industrial and Office Properties – Georgia Chapter, and the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors – Georgia Chapter. He is now completing his final courses to become a Certified Economic Developer through the International Economic Development Council.
“The opportunity to become a member of the economic development team in Henry County is very exciting for me and my family,” said Fenn. “I plan to be an active member of the community as well as the professional who serves as the point of contact for new industrial and office type businesses looking to locate in the area. I believe my contacts throughout the Southeast with economic development project managers and site consultants will serve as a solid foundation for the development authority. Economic development is a journey and Henry County is recognized as a leader in the metro Atlanta region.”
