The Albuquerque Regional Economic Alliance (AREA) has been a cornerstone of the region’s business community since 1960. The organization, originally branded Albuquerque Economic Development, launched with $75,000 in pledged annual support for five years, early land donations, and a $1.3 million capital campaign. Between 1967 and 1970 the organization established a strong and sustainable foundation.

In 1992, it transitioned to a membership model, expanding community engagement and broadening its outreach. Since then, the organization has recruited or supported the expansion of more than 280 companies in the Albuquerque metro, including more than 10,000 new direct jobs and $2.4 billion in investment over the past decade alone.

The mission grew in 2002 with the launch of a business development program to support local employers. Since its inception, the team has connected with more than 1,400 companies and assisted expansions that created over 11,000 new jobs. In 2021, this work evolved into a full-scale business retention and expansion program staffed by dedicated employees.

That same year marked a pivotal moment of transformation. The organization rebranded as the Albuquerque Regional Economic Alliance (AREA), unveiled a new logo, and announced a long-term vision to strengthen the region’s competitiveness. It also began its transition from a 501(c)(6) business association to a 501(c)(3) charitable organization—a shift completed in December 2022, effective May 11, 2022.

The conversion provides AREA with greater access to competitive funding, strengthens its role as a regional public–private partnership, and deepens collaboration with public sector leaders in advancing its mission.

Mission

AREA is a 501(c)(3) public charity that leads and executes strategies designed to grow and diversify the economic base of the greater Albuquerque region, creating a prosperous, diverse and inclusive economy and elevating the standard of living for all.

Vision

The greater Albuquerque region will be known and recognized for having the highest quality of life and the most diverse and sustainable economy in the U.S. Mountain west.

Major Initiatives

Developed through a combination of data analysis and stakeholder input, the following big initiative concepts are inspirational statements as to the outcomes we should aim for through the execution of our strategic plan.

• Think: Think big and develop a long-term actionable approach for capturing the economic impact that our research institutions make possible.
• Ensure: Ensure awareness at all times of our economic standing as a region.
• Shift: Shift our perspective and approach to transform to a truly region-serving organization.
• Respond: Act swiftly and strategically to meet evolving economic needs and capitalize on opportunities that strengthen long-term regional resilience and growth.
• Create: Create unique programs targeting the attraction of target cluster companies and knowledge workers. Champion and expand talent need solutions for now and in the future.
• Establish: Establish the existing business efforts to a model regional market intelligence program, driving local business growth and informing attraction pipelines.

Job Description – President and Chief Executive Officer – Albuquerque Regional Economic Alliance

The President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) serves as the senior executive leader of the Albuquerque Regional Economic Alliance (AREA) and is employed by the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors. This position is responsible for executing the organization’s policies, programs, and initiatives to advance AREA’s mission: AREA leads and executes strategies designed to grow and diversify the economic base of the greater Albuquerque region, creating a prosperous, diverse, and inclusive economy while elevating the standard of living for all.

The President and CEO directs and implements the organization’s overall strategy, including business recruitment, retention, expansion, marketing, and program coordination. This role also oversees AREA’s financial health, ensuring growth and sustainability through fundraising, business retention strategies, government contracts, grants, and the maintenance of long-term reserves. The President and CEO provides leadership and strategic guidance to a team of professional staff.

Primary Responsibilities

Business Recruitment, Retention, and Expansion

• Serve as the principal leader of AREA’s business recruitment efforts and oversee retention and expansion activities for economic base employers.
• Oversee and manage the business development team to achieve strategic goals.
• Represent AREA nationally through engagement with site selection consultants, commercial real estate firms, corporate real estate directors, and other key stakeholders.
• Arrange and host client visits during market evaluations.
• Maintain comprehensive knowledge of economic development resources, including incentives, financing programs, available properties, developers, brokers, community assets, competitive markets, industry trends, demographics, workforce data, and marketing strategies.
• Act as the primary spokesperson for AREA, delivering frequent presentations to prospective employers, investors, the New Mexico Legislature, industry associations, and other audiences.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with private and public sector partners.
• Commit to extensive travel and an extended work schedule as needed to fulfill organizational objectives.

Secondary Responsibilities

Organizational Administration

• Provide strategic leadership, supervision, and coordination of staff.
• Oversee marketing and strategic communications, and lead efforts to provide data-driven insights that inform policymakers and stakeholders on issues impacting regional economic development.
• Manage AREA’s financial operations, including budgeting, fund oversight, and reporting.
• Lead fundraising efforts and ensure fiscal sustainability.

Additional Responsibilities

Community Engagement

• Maintain high visibility in the community through public speaking, participation in meetings, and involvement in prominent events.
• Build and strengthen relationships with business leaders, economic developers, business associations, the New Mexico congressional delegation, and local and state officials.
• Actively collaborate with regional and state economic development partners to advance mutual goals.

Special Requirements

• Flexibility to engage with prospects whenever needed, including outside of traditional business hours.
• Availability for breakfasts, luncheons, dinners, evening meetings, weekend events, and other non-standard work commitments.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain strong interpersonal relationships with clients, investors, government officials, media, educational institutions, and other stakeholders.

Job Experience

• Proven history of success in economic development or related field.
• Well-networked in economic development and site-selection industry.
• Strong background in building, communicating and executing a strategic plan.
• Verifiable success in positive marketing of an organization and/or community.
• Demonstrable understanding of finance, analytics and general business knowledge.
• Established reputation for moving a project from start to finish/from prospect to retention and expansion.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in related field or equivalent experience required.
• CEcD or other Economic Development Certifications preferred.

Compensation

Salary will be competitive and commensurate with experience and qualifications $270,000+ and a competitive benefits package.

Application Process

For consideration, please submit a cover letter and resume to Anthony Michelic at AREA@jorgensonpace.com. This position is open until filled. Please submit your application as soon as possible to ensure you are considered for this position. Upon receipt, resumes and cover letter will be screened in relation to the criteria outlined in this brochure. Candidates selected for interview will be contacted by Jorgenson Pace.

References and Background Check

Candidates will be checked extensively for background and references. Once strong mutual interest has been established, candidates are asked to provide a list of references that should include, but not be limited to, a supervisor, a peer, a development client, and a subordinate, as applicable. Candidates will be asked to sign an authorization to release information for the purpose of the background investigation, which will include education, social media background, credit check, criminal, and driving records. Should an offer be extended before to the completion of these checks, the offer will be made contingent.