Solano EDC chooses new CEO

A veteran economic development and marketing executive has been selected to lead Solano Economic Development Corp., the public-private partnership that works to bring business, commerce and jobs to Solano County.

Robert Burris, who currently manages and oversees economic development activities for the City of Fairfield, will take the reins of Solano EDC on Jan. 1, succeeding longtime President and CEO Sandy Person.

Before leading Fairfield’s economic development activities, Burris was deputy director and executive vice president of the Sacramento Area Commerce & Trade Organization, also known as SACTO, where he spent 15 years in its leadership team. He led the marketing and business attraction team for the entire capital region, the EDC announcement stated.

He began his career as an associate with EPS, an economic and planning consultant group, before going to work as a manager for Grubb & Ellis Co., a major real estate brokerage firm.

The organization recently launched Solano Means Business, an aggressive strategy with clear-cut tactics to attract new jobs and companies.

Solano EDC Board of Directors in May endorsed a new half-million-dollar budget to fund enhanced business attraction efforts, including a comprehensive website that gives companies looking to relocate or expand a full description of developable sites available in Solano cities. It features extensive demographics of the county, its capable workforce, the quality of life in our communities and a host of other promotional messages.

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