Thomas Clemens is used to promoting economic development for an area with great assets but relatively low national visibility. That experience came from the Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance in Virginia, where his accomplishments included attracting an ADP customer service center that will employ 1,800 people.
Clemens is excited about transferring his skills to greater Gainesville – as the new vice president of economic development for the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce.
“When I visited Gainesville, I was blown away by the efforts of the private sector in cooperation with the university and the community college to promote both for jobs and inclusion – promoting opportunities for everyone,” Clemens said.
He relied upon similar cooperation between the business and academic communities in helping ADP, which provides payroll services and human resources management, attract employees.
Hampton Roads encompasses Old Dominion University and the College of William & Mary, along with 10 other academic institutions. “The colleges received ADP with open arms, and they were eager to provide students with opportunities,” Clemens said. Hampton Roads includes the cities of Virginia Beach, Norfolk and Newport News. It features a 400-year-old rich history and a world-class port. But to attract new business from around the country and around the globe, it needed to target its marketing. “We focused on finding site selectors and real estate brokers with clients who were a good match for our area,” Clemens said.
As Hampton Roads’ manager for international business recruitment, Clemens sought out global companies that already had customers in the U.S. and that had the capital to invest here. “I focused on identifying these companies and engaging with them,” he said. “Investing in America is attractive to many foreign firms because it is one of the safest, if not the safest, places to invest in the world.”
Clemens succeeds Susan Davenport, who started as the chamber’s vice president for economic development in 2013 and who is now the president and CEO. “Susan and her team laid the groundwork, including studying the community’s needs and opportunities,” Clemens said. “Without this research, there wouldn’t be a plan for moving forward.”