HomeMy Public PortalAboutTOL PR 2011-09-14 EDC Chair & Vice Chair
Town of Leesburg
News Release
For Immediate Release
Leesburg Economic Development Commission Elects New
Chair and Vice Chair
Leesburg, VA (September 14, 2011) – At their meeting on September 7, 2011, the Leesburg
Economic Development Commission (EDC) took a unanimous vote to bring in Scott Gustavson
as Chair and Jim Sisley as Vice Chair.
Scott Gustavson has served on the EDC since 2007, most recently as the Vice Chair under the
chairmanship of Ara Bagdasarian. Scott is the owner of Windward Commercial Real Estate
Services, located in downtown Leesburg. A longtime Leesburg resident, he brings many years
of commercial real estate experience to the EDC. Scott is a founder and a past chair of the
Downtown Improvement Association (DIA). His other community involvements include Habitat
for Humanity.
Jim Sisley is also a longtime Leesburg resident and commercial real estate broker. The owner
and principal broker at Paladin Real Estate, Jim’s latest business venture is Simple Office Space,
which provides fully furnished tech-ready office suites in the heart of Leesburg’s historic
district. Jim has served on the EDC since 2010. He also serves on the Town’s Board of
Architectural Review and was a founding member of the Town’s Public Art Commission. Jim is a
member of the Downtown Improvement Association and was a founding member of the DIA’s
predecessor organization, Leesburg Crossroads, Inc.
During the same meeting, the EDC addressed changes to their strategic plan outline, which has
become known familiarly as the EDC Map (see attached). Both Scott and Jim are focused on
concepts that are relevant, actionable and measurable for the Economic Development
Commission. As an advisory body to the Leesburg Town Council, the EDC is cognizant of the
need to foster a positive dynamic within the Leesburg business community.
“There have been a lot of accomplishments since 2003, when the EDC map was first
conceived,” commented Scott Gustavson. “The EDC will focus on what we’ve achieved, what
we’re working on now, and what we will accomplish in the future. We will be a relevant
organization.”
Contact:
Marantha Edwards, Economic Development Manager
medwards@leesburgva.gov • 703-737-7019
www.leesburgva.gov/business
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LEVERAGE EMERGING GROWTH
OPPORTUNITIES
CUSTOMER
SERVICE FOCUS
DESTINATION FOR
ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT, and DINING
Getting the Job Done
Leesburg Works A New Market
Destination Downtown Expanding Downtown Seamless Experience
Higher Education Vision & Plan
Downtown Collaboration
•WiFi
•Signs on W&OD Trail & BikeRacksMedia Strategy
Regulatory Review &
Commission Assignments
ED Performance Measures
•Mason Enterprise Center
•Communications
Joint Task Force –Arts & Cultural District
EDC/EDC map 2011-2013
Business Retention & Attraction Tools
•3/50 Program
•Business Visits
•Retail Gap Analysis
Economic Development Map for FY 2011 -13