GPEC promotes Chris Camacho as its next leader

• The Greater Phoenix Economic Council has named Chris Camacho as its new president and CEO, replacing Barry Broome, who departed in December.
• Camacho is a veteran economic developer who has served at GPEC since 2008. He vowed to work toward further business growth and economic initiatives.

Directors of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council promoted Chris Camacho to be the group's new president and CEO.

He succeeds Barry Broome, who resigned in December after nine years as the face of economic development in Maricopa County. Broome took a similar position in Sacramento.

Camacho has served as GPEC's executive vice president since joining the organization in 2008. He oversaw domestic and international business development and market strategies, while interacting with Maricopa County and local cities.

"Chris is one of the leading economic-development professionals in the country and, unquestionably, the best candidate for the position," said Don Smith, GPEC's board chairman and president of CopperPoint Mutual, in a statement. "His proven leadership acumen and depth of experience will enhance the momentum of the organization and propel our work forward."

Camacho this month was recognized by Consultant Connect as a Top 50 Economic Developer in North America. He has served as president of the Arizona Association for Economic Development and was named the group's economic developer of the year in 2011.

Camacho vowed to work toward achieving significant business growth and furthering collaborative economic initiatives in the region.

Since Camacho has been at GPEC, the group claims to have helped attract 174 companies while luring $2.2 billion in investment and creating nearly 26,700 jobs.