Jonathan Lupo Named Sole Finalist for Waycross-Ware Development Authority Position
Monday, May 3rd, 2021
Jonathan Lupo, an experienced state and local economic developer, has been named the sole finalist for the President and Chief Executive Officer’s position with the Waycross-Ware Development Authority (WWDA). The announcement was made this week by James Willis, Chair of the authority and Area Manager for Georgia Power Company.
“The authority was looking for a professional in the economic development field to take us to the next level of creating and retaining jobs in our community,” according to Willis. “Jonathan brings a wealth of knowledge and contacts with him. He has worked in two different states, including Georgia, on the state economic development team as well as on the local level. He understands the needs of communities and has a grasp of rural areas as well.”
Lupo most recently served as Director, Business Recruitment for the
Douglas County Development Authority in Douglasville, Georgia. His most notable new business wins in Douglas County included Stitch Fix, an e-logistics facility that created 981 net new jobs and BANG Energy, a manufacturing/distribution operation that created 600 jobs.
Other positions held by Lupo include International Project Manager, Office of International Commerce with Louisiana Economic Development; International Trade Policy and Special Projects Manager, Georgia Department of Economic Development; and an associate with J.L. Morgan Company, Inc., a public affairs and issues management consulting firm.
“In our search for a professional, we utilized the solid foundation the board and Jana Dyke, former leader of the authority, have established for the community,” Willis said. “In the past five years, the WWDA moved from a reorganized economic development entity to one with strong ties to project managers at the state level and site consultants nationwide. There is an existing industry program in place; a website with key information on our available sites; and a structure for operating as an authority. All of these pieces were used to let candidates know about the position and the stability of our organization.”
Lupo graduated from Georgia College in Milledgeville, Georgia with Bachelor of Science and Master of Public Administration degrees. He participated in Douglas County Leadership Program 2020 and has been active in the Boys and Girls Club and Gift of Love Soup Kitchen.
“To serve Waycross and Ware County as the economic development leader is a tremendous opportunity for me and my family,” according to Lupo. “I look forward to initiating meetings with local industries and businesses during my first few months on the ground. I want to learn more about their operations and how the authority can assist them. I also plan to spend a great deal of time continuing to market the community to the Georgia Department of Economic Development and three statewide electric utility companies.”
The mission of the development authority is to encourage and support the expansion and development of industrial and commercial facilities in Waycross and Ware County so as to promote employment and improve the community’s tax base. The economic development organization is funded by the City of Waycross and Ware County Board of Commissioners.
“The search process was broken into three phases,” Willis said. “The first stage centered on determining the skill sets and focus points for the position. Development authority members, government leaders and other stakeholders were interviewed in order to build an updated position description and a candidate profile for the authority. The second phase was casting the net for candidates and specifically identifying professionals who may fit the criteria established. The final segment was an intensive interview process of the candidates best suited for the role.”
Current authority members include Willis; Daniel Morris, WWDA Vice Chair, Senior Vice President, First Southern Bank; Philip Saussy, WWDA Treasurer, Senior Vice President Benefits Practice Leader, J. Smith Lanier & Company; Dr. William Clark III, Clark Eye Clinic; Dr. Michael-Angelo James, Mayor of Waycross; Candice Moody-Rice, Media Specialist, Ware County High School; Dr. Yolanda Rivers, Owner, Waycross Family Pharmacy; and Elmer Thrift, Chair, Ware County Board of Commissioners.
Lupo will be voted upon by the authority after a required 14-day waiting period specified in Georgia law for public authorities. The authority is scheduled to meet in early May to finalize his employment. Lupo, his wife Ashley and two-year-old son Brooks, will be moving to Waycross / Ware County in the next several months. His first day at the authority is expected to be in late May.
The search for a new economic development leader began late last year when Dyke announced her plans to accept the top position with the Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission in Albany, Georgia.
The board engaged The Chason Group to lead the executive search process. The firm, which is Georgia based, specializes in executive searches for economic development organizations, chambers of commerce, foundations and other non-profits.
