Partner

828-289-0479
tjohnson@shedc.com

Tom Johnson joined Sanford Holshouser in mid-2019 with over 40 years of very successful economic development and urban planning experience. While working in a small rural county in North Carolina, Tom coordinated the largest economic development project in North Carolina in 2010 with the announcement of Facebook. This was followed the next year with the announcement of Horsehead which represented the largest manufacturing capital investment announced in North Carolina in 2011. Also while working in the same rural county, he coordinated the largest jobs announcement in North Carolina in 2016 with the announcement of Everest Textiles.

Professional Experience

• Mid-2019-Present, Partner with Sanford Holshouser Economic Development Consulting in Morganton, NC location.

• 2014-Present, Real Estate Broker with Stock Properties, specializing in commercial and industrial properties, Morganton, NC.

• 2015-2019, President of Rutherford County Economic Development Association, Forest City, NC. Coordinated the establishment of a 501 c 3 and a 501 c 6 organization. Had largest jobs announcement in North Carolina with 610 jobs at Everest Textiles in 2016.

• 2011-2014, Executive Vice President of Advantage West North Carolina, Asheville, NC. Primary focus was on marketing the western 23 counties of North Carolina. Developed extensive knowledge of counties and great relationships with the local economic developers.

• 2006-2011, Executive Director, Rutherford County Economic Development Commission, Forest City, North Carolina. Served under contract to County Commissioners as Executive Director of RCEDC. Major activities included coordinating a $25,000,000 NC Data Center, a $420,000,000 Facebook Data Center and a $360,000,000 Zinc Recycling Center.

• 2004-2006, President Greene County Partnership, Greeneville, Tennessee. President of multi-faceted agency including Tourism, Economic Development, Chamber of Commerce, Partners in Education and others. Budget of $800,000, 43 member Board of Directors and 6 member staff. Results included developing a strategic plan, increased membership by over 10 percent, initiated a formal commercial recruitment program, developed a small business/entrepreneurship center in conjunction with East Tennessee State and achieved Level 3-Three Star, wrote new employee handbook and restructured 401 k program

• 1987-2004, Executive Director, Burke Partnership for Economic Development, Morganton, NC. Major accomplishments included successful industrial locations of numerous companies including Viscotec Automotive, Caterpillar, Continental Teves, Beiersdorf Jobst, Carolina Mills, Kimble Glass, Bauer Industries, BASF, and Zion Industries. Significant non-manufacturing projects included the movie, Last of the Mohicans and a $30,000,000 State Prison. Coordinated efforts for a large community wide initiative to establish a new focus for economic development involving almost 250 local citizens.

• 1974-1987, Director of Community Development, City of Morganton, Morganton, NC. Increasingly responsible duties from a one person city planning department to a six person department and including such areas as "Main Street", planning, grants, zoning, code enforcement and building inspections.

• 1972-1974, Senior Planner, Lawton Metropolitan Area Planning Commission, City of Lawton, Oklahoma. Worked as Zoning/Subdivision Administrator and then became to Transportation Planner.

• 1971-1972, Planner, Johnson City Regional Planning Commission, Johnson City, Tennessee. Entry level work in very progressive planning office.
  
  

Education

• East Tennessee State University, BS Degree awarded in 1972

• University of Oklahoma, Masters in Public Administration awarded in 1976

• Graduate of Economic Development Institute, University of Oklahoma 1996-1998

• Numerous economic development courses attended throughout the country including Georgia Tech and the University of North Carolina.

Leadership, Awards and Certifications

• North Carolina Economic Development Association, Board of Directors, 1992-1996

• Southern Economic Development Council, Board of Directors, 1999-2003

• North Carolina Governor's Workforce Commission, 2001-2004

• NC Economic Developers Advisory Committee, 2000-2004

• North Carolina Site Certification Committee

• Awarded the Honorary Life Membership (HLM) by Southern Economic Development Council

• Awarded North Carolina Economic Developer of the Year, 2011-2012

• Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) since 1998

Away from the Office

Tom enjoys spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.