Joshua Gunn is set to take charge of Durham's Office of Economic and Workforce Development as its new director starting July 14. With robust experience in steering communities towards economic prosperity, Gunn returns to his hometown as a proven leader and entrepreneur, ready to champion the city's economic future, according to an official release by the City of Durham.
Currently, as the president and CEO of the Glendale Chamber of Commerce, Gunn shepherds more than 1,500 businesses in the Greater Phoenix area and his tenure has witnessed the region burgeon into one of America's rapidly growing areas and during his leadership in Illinois with the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce, Gunn spearheaded initiatives aimed at workforce development, regional talent attraction, and implanting diversity strategies to enhance business prospects including for minority-owned businesses. Gunn's track record follows him back to Durham, a place where he previously served as vice president for the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce and contributed significantly to the city's economic development efforts.
In a statement obtained by the City of Durham, City Manager Bo Ferguson lauded Gunn's appointment, "We're excited to welcome Joshua back to Durham in this important leadership role," expressing confidence in Gunn's understanding of the city and his capacity for creating inclusive growth. Ferguson highlighted Gunn's collaborative ethos and innovative approach as instrumental attributes for his role in forging a thriving economic landscape in Durham.
As director, Gunn is tasked with the comprehensive management of the city's economic agenda, which loops in strategies for connecting residents to good-paying jobs, nurturing the growth of Durham's commercial tax base, implementing wealth-building prospects for locals, and ensuring that the city's workforce remains competent in both the present and the emerging industries and this role also encompasses driving revitalization in downtown Durham and providing aid to local businesses. Gunn's diverse background, including as an artist and cultural entrepreneur, underscores his commitment to an inclusive and creative economic development strategy.
Embracing his Durham roots and the prospect of serving his community, Joshua Gunn told the City of Durham, "Returning to Durham to help lead its economic future is both a personal homecoming and a professional calling," detailing his vision of an inclusive economy where "every resident has a pathway to prosperity," and emphasizing the role of the city's creative spirit as a key ingredient for collective success. Gunn, a Jordan High School alumni and holder of a psychology degree from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, has been distinguished as a "Top 40 Under 40" executive by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives back in 2019.
