GRAY SWOOPE

PRESIDENT & CEO, VISIONFIRST ADVISORS, TALLAHASSEE

VisionFirst is a consulting firm offering services such as site selection, workforce intelligence and strategic communications. Over the past decade, it has supported 29 Fortune 500 companies, contributing to $59 billion in investment and 13,000 announced jobs. Swoope launched VisionFirst Advisors in 2015 after serving as Florida’s Secretary of Commerce. VisionFirst recently established a strategic alliance with The Southern Group lobbying firm

EDUCATION: Mississippi State University (BS, MBA)

SOMETHING SURPRISING: I have a deep appreciation for art and have built a folk art collection featuring works by Florida artist Missionary Mary Proctor and the late Woody Long.

FIRST JOB: Out of college, I started working as an account executive for a startup television station in North Mississippi selling advertising. It was a challenge selling advertising for a new station in a rural market with established networks firmly entrenched. That experience has proven to be invaluable, leading an organization that sells technical services and expertise.

INDUSTRY TREND: The rapid growth of AI is transforming economic development like never before. ... This trend offers communities a unique opportunity to diversify their economic base and build resilience for the future.

DREAM ALTERNATE CAREER
“A television meteorologist. Anyone who knows me knows my obsession with weather.”