Jennifer Stein has been selected as the new economic development services director where she will lead a team of business attraction and development and retention and expansion experts at the City of Peoria. Prior to this appointment, Stein has been serving simultaneously as the interim economic development services director and communications director for the city.
“Jen is a very talented, dedicated professional with exceptional leadership, business and communication skills that make her uniquely qualified for the dynamic world of economic development,” said Jeff Tyne, Peoria city manager. “Her never-ending energy and love for Peoria is contagious and will help put Peoria on the map as a premiere location for advanced industry, high quality jobs and a supportive business environment.”
Stein brings more than 25 years of public and private sector communications, marketing, strategic planning, management, and community relations experience to her new economic development role in the City of Peoria. As the communications director for eight years in Peoria, she oversaw the award-winning public affairs, marketing, advertising, and tourism efforts and attracted restaurant and hospitality uses to the city. Prior to Peoria, Stein worked for the City of Glendale, spearheading the 2008 Super Bowl media efforts, marketing the annual Fiesta Bowl and BCS Championship games, building business and community partnerships in Westgate, and securing record-breaking media coverage. In addition, Stein was a news producer for KTVK-TV Arizona’s Family and a senior account executive for one of the top public relations firms in the Southwest, HMA Public Relations.
In her short tenure as the interim economic development services director, Stein has attracted multiple top-tier restaurants and hotels to the city. She has already partnered with several developers on a redevelopment project in Old Town Peoria and has many significant commercial and employment projects in the works throughout Peoria. Additionally, she recruited the planned developer for the large, mixed-used project at Stadium Point at P83. “If it wasn’t for Jennifer Stein’s persistence, we would never have had been exposed to the great opportunities in Peoria,” said Greg Steinhauer, president of Steinhauer Properties and the developer at the P83 site.
“Greater Phoenix is made stronger by the collaboration of the market’s skilled economic development professionals, allowing us to work together to attract and scale business in the region. Jen’s vision for Peoria, passion, commitment, and steadfast support of the objectives of the community will help to advance the region and promote future prosperity and growth,” said Chris Camacho, president and CEO at Greater Phoenix Economic Council.
“I’m so excited to continue working with Jen in her new role as Economic Development Services Director,” said Sintra Hoffman, WESTMARC CEO. “She’s been a key player in leading the creation of a regional marketing strategy for the West Valley. Her experience and knowledge of the right elements in attracting business to Peoria and the region will further strengthen the West Valley’s economic development bench.”
Stein has a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations from Northern Arizona University, and she is a member of the International City/County Management Association and Arizona Association for Economic Development.
“I am honored and excited to continue working with such a talented economic development team and forward-thinking city leadership,” said Jennifer Stein, Peoria economic development services director. “With an aggressive, innovative approach to business attraction and supportive, creative ecosystem for business development, the sky is the limit for what we can do and bring to Peoria.”
For more information about the city’s economic development efforts, small business resources and premiere sites, visit www.peoriaed.com.
