The Coweta County Development Authority has named Molly Giddens as the new economic development project manager for the community’s business recruitment and retention organization. Trae Westmoreland, president of the authority, made the announcement this week.

The project manager will be focused on interacting with existing companies in Coweta County as well as assisting in the development and implementation of effective marketing and sales initiatives for the authority.

“Molly has the knowledge and understanding of what businesses need to operate successfully,” according to Westmoreland. “From the legislative and workforce development perspectives, she will be a great addition to Coweta County. She is a motivated professional with a servant’s heart.”

Giddens is currently regional manager for the Georgia Chamber of Commerce in Tifton. She has served as a liaison to local, state and federal officials for businesses and communities in the south Georgia region and has overseen the chamber’s ruralinitiatives. The Marietta native built the chamber’s south Georgia regional program by working with development authorities, chambers of commerce, local governments, education institutions, and businesses.

“My focus has been with businesses to improve their bottom lines, whether through a better trained workforce or broadband assistance,” says Giddens. “The opportunity to become heavily involved in the retention of businesses and laying the groundwork for new investments are challenges that I am looking forward to. Coweta County’s reputation as a pro-business community is one of the main reasons I was attracted to the position.”

Giddens is a graduate of Valdosta State University with a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences – Criminal Justice and a Master of Public Administration degree. She has also completed Georgia Tech’s nationally recognized Basic Economic Training program, the Georgia Academy for Economic Development, and the South Georgia LEADS Leadership Program.

The new project manager’s first day will be in mid-May. Giddens and her husband, Sam, will be moving to the area with their one-year old daughter, Chaapel, later this year. Sam is city president of a local bank in Ocilla, Georgia.

The Chason Group was retained by the development authority to lead the executive search process. The firm specializes in talent recruitment for economic development organizations, chambers of commerce, tourism, foundations and non-profits.