Rick Weddle's Parting Comments from Phoenix

My longstanding friend Rick Weddle has decided after seven years to leave Phoenix and accept the job as President and CEO of the Research Triangle Park Foundation. It's a big step up for Rick, or any economic development professional for that matter. Research Triangle is one of the biggest ED jobs out there, if not the biggest.

In a nutshell, Rick did an outstanding job leading the Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC), especially during one of the most rugged periods of economic growth the area has ever seen.

Here is what Rick said in a parting interview with the local newspaper about whatit takes to be successful. "There are four ingredients to success. One is leadership. Engaged, inspired, public and private leadership. The second is a program of substance that is technically sound and factually based. Third is strong and effective professional staff. The fourth is adequate funding."

I would agree with these four elements and add a fifth, which is an "economic location" that business finds appealing to remain in and locate to. Greater Phoenix is that. I know plenty of economic developers who have at least 3 of the 4, and in some cases all 4 of the ingredients, listed by Rick. My #5 reason completes the "charm bracelet."

Rick will do a wonderful job at Research Triangle. Like other places he has worked, he will give it his best and more. I would add that the Research Triangle region is a highly attractive place for technology and knowledge-intensive business, even more so than Greater Phoenix, which has made major strides as a emerging knowledge-based economy in the past decade.

Good luck Rick!

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