She succeeds Lisa Krouse, who retired
Erin Silk has been named the new president and CEO of the Economic Development Corp. of Sarasota County (EDC), Mark Irwin, the EDC board chair, has announced.
She replaces Lisa Krouse, who had retired after leading the EDC since August 2021.
Silk began her tenure as president and CEO on June 15, a news release says.
About 40 community stakeholders and partners convened in the fall of 2022 to interview Silk for the role of president and CEO, Irwin noted in his announcement. Since that time, the EDC board had been “engaged in a vigorous executive and leadership transition plan for Erin,” Irwin added.
“The transition was well-planned and thoughtful,” Irwin continued. I am extremely confident that, under the mentorship of Lisa, Erin will absolutely excel as our new President & CEO.”
He also pointed out, “While Erin is new to this position, she is no stranger to the EDC. Erin joined the organization in April 2019 as the Director of Business Development Services and was promoted to Vice President of Business Development Services in July 2021 and then Chief Operations Officer in November 2022. We are excited for her continued vision as she leads us into the next generation of this organization.”
As vice president of business development services through November 2022, the release notes, Silk “led a team focused on attracting targeted industries” and expanding existing industries in Sarasota County. Most recently, the release adds, she served as chief operations officer.
“Silk has almost a decade of economic development experience in Sarasota County and is a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD),” the release points out. “Conferred by the International Economic Development Council, CEcD status is recognized globally and is considered the most prestigious designation in the economic development profession,” the release explains.
At the EDC, the release continues, Silk “works closely with business leaders, government officials, educational institutions, and philanthropic organizations to grow a diversified economy that drives job growth.
“The EDC has a long legacy of business leadership,” Silk noted in the release. “Our region is undergoing transformation, and we are at a pivotal point when it is more important than ever to focus on workforce retention, foster an entrepreneurial ecosystem, and support diverse job creation while sustaining the environment that makes our County such a special place to live, work and play. With a thoughtful eye on our history, I am excited to bring an innovative approach to our future,” she added in the release.