As a Certified Economic Development Professional, currently working on a PhD in Economic Development, Jim Gibson brings a very practical, yet broad perspective to his work, having held a variety of positions during a nearly 25-year career. He has served as a City Administrator, City Manager, the Regional Services Manager for a Council of Governments, in a combined position of Assistant City Manager and Economic Development Director, and Finance Director and Management Analyst for a City. In addition, he is a Certified Government Financial Officer and served as the Economic Development Director of a Municipal Development District.
Jim’s expertise is so well recognized that he is engaged with the International Economic Development Council as a reviewer of the CEcD exams. Having this varied background delivers a wide range of expertise gained though facilitating the sale and approvals of missing middle housing properties, targeting applicable and desirable industries for economic development expansion, drafting new grant program policies, development of comprehensive and tourism master plans, recruiting new businesses, clearing blighted properties, managing a tax reinvestment zone, expanding a municipal utility system, and community benchmarking to identify key success actions taken by both peer and competitive communities.
Education
- Bachelor of Science, Political Science, Sam Houston State University
- Master of Arts, Public Administration, University of Houston
- Economic Development Institute Certificate, University of Oklahoma
- Doctorate in Economic Development – in progress, University of Southern Mississippi
- Leadership Training: Designing the Organization, Managing the Organization, Leading Teams
Memberships, Certifications, Recognition
- Certified Government Finance Officer, Government Finance Officers Association of Texas
- Certified Economic Developer, International Economic Development Council
- Master Economic Development Practitioner, Consortium of University of Southern Mississippi, Texas Christian University, and University of New Mexico
- International Economic Development Council, Education and Certification Committee,
- Excellence in Economic Development – Annual Report Award 2023
- Texas Economic Development Council, Forward Planning and Sales Tax Committees, Conference Presenter and Economic Excellence Awards 2022, 2023, 2024
- Development District of Central Texas Board Member
- Government Financial Officers Association, Member, Budget Awards 2015-2021
Publications
- Accelerating Rural Economic Development, International Economic Development Council, Economic Development Journal