Jessica Erickson said a need for a change in leadership at the Longmont Economic Development Partnership and new priorities prompted her to depart the group after eight years as its president/CEO.
“After nearly eight years … I recognize that in order for the organization to continue to grow and evolve, there is value in passing the torch to a new leader with a fresh perspective,” Erickson said this week in an email statement to the Leader.
“That, combined with changing priorities for me and my family, led me to the decision to resign my position at Longmont EDP and pursue a new career path that leverages my economic development experience and the incredible network I've built to contribute to building the future of this incredible community and region,” Erickson said.
Jessica Erickson announced her decision to leave the LEDP on Monday. Her last day is Nov. 23. She it taking a position as director of business development with Sun Construction in Longmont.
Stephanie Pitts-Noggle — currently LEDP’s business specialist — will serve as interim president while a search begins for Erickson’s replacement, Erickson said. Pitts-Noggle heads up the city’s startup incubator program Innovate Longmont.
Left Hand Brewing Co-founder and LEDP Board Chair Eric Wallace told BizWest magazine the organization has drafted a job description, determined a pay scale and has begun to identify candidates targeted for Erickson’s job. The LEDP hopes to have a successor by January, BizWest states.
Under her nearly eight-year tenure, Erickson helped attract or expand more than 150 businesses, brought more than $1 billion in new capital investment and impacted the creation of more than 2,000 primary jobs, according to the LEDP.
Erickson’s economic development career spans nearly 20 years, having started with the former Broomfield Economic Development Corporation in 2003, she said.
She has worked in both the nonprofit and government sectors, including having served as the senior manager of industry development at the Colorado Office of Economic Development & International trade in the Hickenlooper administration, Erickson said.
“I have led or contributed to projects that have brought billions of dollars of investment and tens of thousands of jobs to Colorado, and most recently to Longmont,” she said. “I have worked with the full spectrum of innovative, high growth companies ranging from Fortune 50 corporations to early stage startups.”
Her role as president/CEO of Longmont EDP, which began in 2015, has been the highlight of her career. “... I am so incredibly proud of what we have accomplished through our collective impact approach to building an economy that works for every resident and business in Longmont,” Erickson said.
“We have grown the organization into an impact-oriented nonprofit, engaging leaders in our community from all sectors in implementing what matters as we seek to build a resilient local economy with a sustainable future,” she said.
Councilors last week praised Erickson’s work at the LEDP, especially during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Councilor Tim Waters said most residents are unaware of Erickson’s largely successful efforts to bring new businesses into Longmont.
“You have been part of the rising tide in the town … in raising the quality of life here,” Waters said. “Your work has been exemplary.”
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