Benjamin Pratt, CEcD

Experience

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  Office of Governor

  May 2010 - Oct 2010

  International Business Recruitment and Economic Development Fellowship Program

  Conduct research/analysis of bilateral trade relationships between foreign countries and Texas, including import/export data, state to state comparative matrices, and foreign/domestic economic overviews.

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  Erie Regional Chamber & Growth Partnership

  Mar 2011 - Nov 2017

  The Growth Partnership includes approximately 140 CEO's in the Erie area and is led by a committee of 16 business and community leaders. Through the Growth Partnership, I work with members to become intimately engaged in strategic community initiatives that will make a long-term impact on the region's economic vitality. Point of contact and facilitator with the economic development professionals and organizations serving NW Pennsylvania. Provide direct and targeted contact with the private sector and industry sector leaders identified for outreach through the Destination Erie planning process. Focus on building regional capacity and broadening community input within the region to implement the Destination Erie RPSD. Provide the relevant research & analysis of past, present and projected business trends, practices and opportunities to better position our region to remain/become more competitive in our current business climate.

  • Vice President, Growth Partnership

    Oct 2013 - Nov 2017

  • Project Coordinator

    Feb 2012 - Mar 2015

  • Director of Research

    Mar 2011 - Oct 2013
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  Town of Erie

  Nov 2017 - Jun 2021

  Responsible for managing the Town of Erie's Economic Development efforts, including primary employment, retail attraction and development. Oversee the economic development prospects and clients including identifying needs, resolving issues, and arrangement of prospect visits, briefings and community familiarization.

  • Economic Development Director

    Feb 2019 - Jun 2021

  • Economic Development Manager

    Nov 2017 - Feb 2019
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  Greater Louisville Inc.

  Jun 2021 - Feb 2023

  SVP, Chief of Regional Economic Growth

  - Developed and managed the economic development strategies focused on attraction and retention of businesses, talent and capital within the 15 county bi-state region- Successfully supported projects in the region that resulted in the creation of 1500+ jobs - Managed budgeted revenues and expenses for the department- Led initiatives to develop connections between private sector employers and workforce providersand trainers- Coordinated connectivity between private sector employers and education systems at bothelementary/middle and secondary- Championed the business networks initiatives developing for cluster driven economic development programs and strategies. Show less

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  New Economy Collaborative

  Mar 2023 - now

  Regional Economic Competitiveness Officer

  The Collaborative was one of 21 regions to win the Build Back Better Regional Challenge from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) and will receive a $62.7 million federal grant over four years (2022-2026).As the inaugural Regional Economic Competitiveness Officer (RECO) I lead the collaborative by guiding the grant’s strategy, working as a convener and collaborator to harness the capacity of our diverse Collaborative and ensuring that each of the grant’s five projects achieves its goals individually and collectively. The primary goal of this effort is to advance the region’s pursuit of specific actions and investments needed to supercharge the regional robotics and autonomy industry cluster and ensure that its economic benefits equitably reach individuals from all corners of our region. Show less

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  Allegheny Conference on Community Development

  Sept 2024 - now

  Senior Vice President, Business Investment

  Lead the proactive business development strategy that drives business attraction and growth opportunities to the Greater Pittsburgh region, focused on robotics/autonomy, life sciences, energy, advanced manufacturing, and other relevant innovation sectors.