Georgia Deptartment of Economic Development Names Two New Team Members
Monday, August 1st, 2022
Two new statewide project managers have been added to the Georgia Department of Economic Development’s Global Commerce team. Jacob Cone will begin his economic development career with the Industrial group and Ambria Hardy has been assigned to the Corporate Solutions and Cyber Security sector. The Chason Group led the talent searches for GDEcD.
Cone is a graduate of the University of Georgia earning a Bachelor of Arts degree from the School of Public and International Affairs with a minor in Sport Management from the College of Education.
As an Eagle Scout, Cone served as a small group leader for three years at First Baptist Church, Watkinsville. He also was selected to serve as a first-year senator for the University of Georgia’s Student Government Association and a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity.
Hardy and her husband are proud residents of the City of Atlanta and former members of the Georgia Army National Guard. Hardy was enlisted as a Geospatial Engineer (12Y) with a secondary MOS as a Geospatial Imagery Intelligence Analyst (35G) while simultaneously earning her AAS in Intelligence Operation Studies. Following soon after, Hardy ventured into entrepreneurship becoming a licensed associate real estate broker in the State of Georgia. She is also a recent graduate of the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies at Georgia State University with a B.S. in Public Policy. While an undergraduate, Hardy was recognized for her social entrepreneurial pursuit to support housing equity, earning a $10,000 grant from the Main Street Entrepreneur Seed Fund. Her career began as a work-study for the Veterans Benefit Administration located in Decatur, Georgia. She has also worked with Clayton County Community Development as a License/Permits Technician.
Specific duties for Cone and Hardy will include learning and explaining the state’s incentive programs, pro-business climate, community partnerships, and workforce; representing Georgia as the lead point of contact for companies considering locations in the state; calling on community leaders to build meaningful relationships; attending trade shows, conferences, and networking events to generate leads by developing relationships with site selection consultants; participating in business development trips; and forming relationships with decision makers of companies identified as likely to seek a new location in the future.
The GDEcD engaged The Chason Group to lead the talent search process. The firm specializes in executive searches for chambers of commerce, economic development organizations, foundations, and other non-profits. The announcement of Cone and Hardy mark the third and fourth placements by The Chason Group for GDEcD this year.
