Barry Broome
Timeline of Impact
Key highlights from Barry's career journey
Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority
1995–2000
Vice President of Business Development
- • Spearheaded Project Jeep, the largest industrial redevelopment deal in U.S. history at the time, transforming 450 acres of brownfield land in North Central Toledo and preserving thousands of jobs
- • Established himself as a leader in brownfield revitalization and large-scale job retention
Southwest Michigan First (SMF)
2001–2005
Founding CEO
- • Built the organization from the ground up, creating a nationally recognized economic development model focused on venture capital and entrepreneurship
- • Co-developed life science venture funds and launched 31 new ventures
- • Named Michigan Economic Developer of the Year (2001)
- • SMF named one of Inc. Magazine's Fast 50 – the first nonprofit to ever receive the honor
- • The Interview: Southwest Michigan First CEO Barry Broome, Part I - MITechNews
Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC)
2005–2014
President & CEO
- • Attracted 250+ companies and delivered over 50,000 jobs to the Phoenix region
- • Led GPEC to be named a top North American EDO by Site Selection Magazine six times
- • Advocated for inclusive economic policies and stood firmly against anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-immigration legislation in Arizona
- • Named Arizona Economic Developer of the Year, Arizona Real Estate Executive of the Year, and received the Phoenix Black Chamber of Commerce Community Leadership Award
Greater Sacramento Economic Council (GSEC)
2015–Present
Founding President & CEO
- • Established California's first CEO-led public-private economic development partnership
- • Grew a coalition of 50+ CEOs and 22 communities, uniting the region behind a bold, inclusive economic vision
- • Championed workforce development, inclusive housing, and a focus on future-forward industries like life sciences, mobility, and clean energy
- • Named Most Admired CEO by the Sacramento Business Journal
- • Led the "Be More. Do Greater Sacramento." regional brand campaign
Mentorship Leadership
2020
- • Moderated the "Why Mentoring Matters" panel at the IEDC Leadership Summit in Tampa, FL
- • Reinforced his belief that the next generation of economic leaders must be nurtured and empowered
Community Advocacy
2022–2023
- • Publicly opposed Proposition 15, warning of its negative impact on underserved communities and the unemployed
- • Launched a Light The Night campaign with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, helping raise critical funds for cancer research and patient support
National Thought Leadership
2024
- • Delivered a Masterclass at the IEDC 2024 Annual Conference, sharing expertise in regional branding, inclusive growth, and public-private partnership building