EDGE has announced an addition to the leadership team of Joann Massey as the Vice-President of Operations.
Joann Massey has had proven outcome-based success in both the public and private sector including economic, workforce and community development, financial services, real estate and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) work
“Joann brings not only extensive experience to our team but an understanding of Memphis that is critical to growing and accelerating economic development partnerships in Memphis and Shelby County. She will be working in tandem with Randy Richardson, our Interim President, our partners, and elected officials to assess opportunities to hone economic development incentives across our community”, noted Al Bright, EDGE Board Chairman. The EDGE Vice President of Operations is responsible for oversight of operations including internal and external affairs as well as leading the organization’s community engagement and legislative affairs. “This position is truly focused on ensuring that we are working collaboratively at all levels, and we are excited to have Joann as part of the EDGE leadership team.”
Massey most recently served as the City of Memphis’ Director of Business Diversity & Compliance and Senior Vice President for Operation Hope’s national initiative One Million Black Businesses. Prior to joining the City of Memphis, Joann was the first Project Manager and Compliance Officer for the Memphis/Shelby County Office of Economic Development. Joann also served as a member of former Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam’s administration, working with the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development as Lead Business Development Consultant covering Shelby, Tipton, Lauderdale and Fayette counties.
“Shelby County has a unique opportunity to create strong collaborative networks across all of our municipalities with the new leadership of EDGE, the Chamber and other economic development agencies that will benefit all citizens of Shelby County. Joann’s deep relationships throughout Shelby County and her experience in successfully scoring wins for West Tennessee makes her ideally suited to take on this role.” said, Harold Byrd, President Shelby County Chamber Alliance “As stronger economic, workforce and community drivers like Blue Oval come around, Shelby County must be ready to operate as a coalition to take advantage of these investments.”
During Massey’s public service experience as Compliance Officer for the Memphis/Shelby County Office of Economic Development she established the compliance procedures for the payment in-lieu of taxes (PILOT) program still being used today. At the TN Dept of Economic & Community Development (TNECD) she collaborated with community partners, such as the Greater Memphis Chamber, TVA, and MLGW, to secure large, high-profile projects, namely the Nike expansion in Frayser.
Randy Richardson, EDGE’s Interim President who also serves as the Executive Director of the Memphis Port Commission added “This is an exciting opportunity for EDGE. I am looking forward to working with Joann and the Board to grow our partnerships and serve an increased number of businesses. The addition of Joann to the leadership team adds capacity to the organization and allows us to focus on attracting and growing business while working collaboratively to promote the Port not only as a site for future development but also as an asset for new and existing businesses in the Region.”
Carlos Fifer, owner of Fifer & Associates, LLC. a general contractor who completed the work on the new Fire station in Whitehaven, stated, “Ms. Massey was critical in assisting my company when working on the Whitehaven project. I know her creativity in developing strategies will be a huge asset and I’m looking forward to seeing how EDGE continues to support small and minority business development.” Mr. Fifer is also Chairman of the Memphis Minority Contractors Association (MAMCA) Board of Directors.
“I am looking forward to working with EDGE and our community, in particular working to identify innovative partnerships.” says, Massey. “One of the greatest areas of growth we have is working to promote EDGE’s Community Builder and ICED programs. EDGE’s incentives provide a continuum of economic development tools from small business to large corporate partnerships, each one supports and strengthens growth in different ways. We have the opportunity to truly transform how we work together to attract and grow business in our community.”
Massey holds an MBA from Benedictine University where she graduated summa cum laude. She has certifications in economic development from Harvard University and the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). Massey is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Beta Epsilon Omega Chapter, River City (TN) Chapter of The Links Incorporated and the Junior League of Memphis. She serves on the Board of Directors for New Ballet Ensemble.