JOEL R.

"RICK" DUKE, MBA, CEcD, EDFP

3661 Essex Ave. Atlanta, GA 30339
rickduke@mac.com 601-466-8850 (cell)
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT EXECUTIVE I MARKETER I BUSINESS DEVELOPER
Accomplished community and economic development leader with a strong record of success and national reputation
as an economic development professional. Skill sets in the full range of community and economic development
strategies including new business targeting and attraction, business retention and expansion, marketing,
entrepreneurial development, tourism, retiree attraction and creative economy advocacy. Developed numerous
professional contacts in Georgia, Mississippi and around the country. As a highly effective, original and visionary
thinker and mentor, led teams creating and implementing innovative economic development strategies,
marketing/business development and corporate engagement, to grow state investment and jobs, build communities
and improve quality of life.
Directed large, multimillion-dollar organizations and centers by leading and motivating both established (more than
100-person) and start-up (only two-person) work groups. Sought after as an expert speaker for local, regional and
national venues on Community and Economic Development issues. Established numerous professional contacts
with site location consultants, utility companies and state development organizations.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
UNIVERSIT OF MISSISSIPPI 9/2012- Present
Director-Economic Development/Executive Director of Research Park
Selected following a national search to create a comprehensive economic development program leveraging new
62,000 square foot technology building and over 120 acres dedicated as the research park. Established knowledge
led economic development as the cornerstone of the program. Revamped marketing program with website redesign,
social media, collateral materials and advertising plus hosting state, regional and local economic developer tours of
the building/campus. Specific results include:
Led first analysis of cost of building operations as the basis for negotiating tenant leases. Developed financial
pro-formas through 2018.
Analyzed research park property appraisals and master plans to establish new, market competitive ground
leases.
Successfully recruited new healthcare industry company for the technology building with up to 60 employees to
relocate from the company's current out-of-state location.
Attracted two new creative economy start-up enterprises, three total jobs, to the technology incubator.

Supported state and local efforts to recruit a 600 employee, Fortune 500 R&D Center. Developed an innovative
workforce development concept as a university incentive.
Supported state and local eforts to recruit an 80 employee aerospace company on university propery adjacent
to the Oxford Airport.
Established a comprehensive plan to attract the life science industry to the building/research park based on the
university's School of Pharmacy and Natural Products Research Center. Partnered with state, regional and local
economic development organizations to attend trade shows and engage targeted companies. Developed
innovative methodology to identit over 1 00 industry targets and prioritize the top 20 companies.
Key part of state recruitment team for two electric-industry suppliers to the state. Arranged campus visits to
profile university research expertise. One of the companies announced a 1 DO-employee facility expansion from
Memphis to North Mississippi.
Regularly provided university enrollment and graduates data as well as research capabilities for state agency
recruitment of chemical, energy and other industry prospects.
At the request of the Mississippi Development Authority, member of the Healthcare Economic Development
Strategy implementation task force.
Member of the task force formed by the Secretary of State to formulate the language for legislation to incentivize
private sector research at Mississippi universities.
Member of the City of Oxford task force submitting a proposal to the Tennessee Valley Authority Economic
Development organization for designation as one of the first "Sustainable Communities." Proposal was
successful.
Member of the City of Oxford's task force submitting a proposal to C Spire to become one of the first "1 gbps
Fiber to the Home" cities in the state.
JOEL R. "RICK" DUKE, MBA rickduke@mac.com 601-466-8850 (cell) Page 2
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI 7/2010-6/2012
Director-Trent Lott National Center for Excellence in Economic Development and Entrepreneurship
Selected to lead a new, comprehensive economic development and entrepreneurship center following national
search.
Created 40-person stakeholder group to development five year strategic plan for the Center.
Created multi-faceted marketing program including new website, e-newsletter, social media, blog and hosted for
numerous events like Impact Souther Miss which drew over 175 the first year.
Managed business incubator in Downtown Hattiesburg. Determined incubator was not financially viable.
University representative for a comprehensive, urban redevelopment district directly across from the campus
including some university-owned property identified as a hotel site. Liaison for a market feasibility study and
Request for Proposals for a university-afiliated hotel.
Promoted the application of creative economy and in-fill redevelopment strategies for the university home
community.
Developed over 900 new in-state business contacts within 12 months.

Led South Mississippi recruitment team engagement with the GE Aviation facility in North Mississippi. The
company announced a new 400-employee facility near Hattiesburg six months later and created key partnerships
with the university's polymers and advanced materials knowledge resources.
GEORGIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Led Economic Development Institute highlighted in Georgia Tech's profile in Innovation U. New University Roles
in a Knowledge Economy, March 2002
Led "The best university-based economic development organization in the country" Innovation Associates, 2005
Catalyst for two initiatives in Georgia Tech's profile in Innovation U 2.0-Health IT Outreach Partnership and
Minority Business Development Agency, April 2014

Selected to explore a new area of focus for the organization based on Governor Perdue's strategic
industries. Developed project - partnership referrals with Georgia Tech faculty, increasing opportunities for new
business attraction in healthcare, eldercare and retirement communities.

Managed the university's economic development program by leading more than a 100-person faculty,
administrative and student staff statewide to engage with more than 1000 businesses and communities annually
in Georgia and Southeast. Annual budget exceeded $12 million.

Led statewide business retention and expansion efort targeting the top 200 manufacturing companies. Effort
supported by the Governor's Ofice and included several other public sector agencies. Immediate impacts
realized from engagement with several companies considering expansion or even closure without intervention
assistance.

Played key role in recruitment of an international baby products company to Georgia using an innovative
incentive. Company desired to relocate three separate facilities in Pennsylvania and Ohio and consolidate them
under one roof. Team developed a new facility layout demonstrating improved operational eficiencies. Company
chose a site in Canton, Georgia and employed 400 workers.

Created new applied research initiative in Tourism. Partnered with state tourism agency to support regional
and local programs.

Represented university's knowledge resources during recruitment of many state business prospects.

Participant in state's Red Carpet Tour with state business prospects.

Paricipant in many community engagements throughout Georgia to determine strategic opportunities for
economic progress.

Led successful $5 million grant application to Economic Development Administration-SE Office for a
medical device design and prototyping center.

Wrote successful $60K grant application and led team investigating retirement communities as an economic
development strategy for rural Georgia.

Opened and managed the Dublin Regional Ofice, managed the Gainesville Regional Office and managed
statewide economic development resources.
JOEL R. "RICK" DUKE, MBA rickduke@mac.com 601-466-8850 (cell) Page 3
Additional Experience: Industrial Engineer, Industrial Engineering Manager, Plant and Shift Supervisor,
KRAFT FOODS, Decatur, GA; Allentown, PA and Lakeland, FL
ENTREPRENEURIAL EXPERIENCE
GEORGIA BRE INSIGHTS, INC. 12/2009- Present
Founder/CEO, Atlanta, GA
Economic Development consulting practice based in Georgia but with clients in Mississippi. The most recent client
was the City of McComb, Mississippi. Led multi-faceted, internal and external stakeholder engagements over twelve
months. Results included a new Tax Increment Finance District, new collaboration with the local Chambers of
Commerce and private sector investment in downtown redevelopment during the engagement period. Elevated the
profile of the City among the state public and private sector economic development agencies laying the foundation
for further assistance resources.
GEORGIA LIFESTYLES PUBLISHING, INC. (w.retiregeorgia.com) 2/2006 -12/2009
Co-Founder I Publisher/Editor, Dunwoody, GA
Launched " Retire in Georgia," a magazine targeted toward energetic, afluent adults in the 45+ years age bracket,
providing readership group with detailed financial, quality of life, educational and places-to-live information
throughout Georgia, a previously unfilled niche in the marketplace. Served as magazine publisher, chief editor and
lead for advertising sales and print distribution around the country. Oversaw all editorial content and the business
communication strategy. Collaborator with the Atlanta Regional Commission's Lifelong Communities initiative and
the Greater Atlanta Home Builders' 50 Plus Housing Council. Invited speaker at National Association of Home
Builders' national conference.
EDUCATION & TRAINING
MBA, Florida Southern College, Lakeland, FL,
BS in Management, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA,
New Urbanism Course, University of Miami
Planning Commissioner's Institute, Georgia Department of Community Afairs
Real Estate Development Methods, Georgia Institute of Technology
Economic Development Institute, University of Oklahoma
Economic Development Finance, National Development Council
AWARDS

Award for Supporing Operation Enduring Freedom, U. S. Dept of Navy-Office of the Chief of Naval
Operations, Vice Admiral, Director of Naval Reserves, U. S. 6th Fleet, 11/2001 to 11/2002 (Note: award presented
to me by one of my key employees who was called to active duty following 9/11)

Numerous Letters of Recommendation for success.
CERTIFICATIONS

Economic Development Finance Professionai-EDFP, National Development Council

Certified Economic Developer-CEcD, International Economic Development Council

JOB RELATED SKILLS

Computer: Microsoft Ofice (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) both Windows and Mac Operating Systems; frequent user
of Social Media like Twitter as well as blogging on professional topics
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

Member I Leadership Lafayette County (MS) Class of 2013

Member I Mississippi Economic Development Council, 2010 to Present

Member/ Mississippi Economic Council, 2010 to Present

Member/ International Economic Development Council, 1989 to Present

JOEL R. "RICK" DUKE, MBA rickduke@mac.com 601-466-8850 (cell) Page 4

Advisory Board I Board of Directors I Program Committee Chairperson, 2009, GREATER ATLANTA HOME
BUILDERS 50 PLUS HOUSING COUNCIL

Member I Chairperson, Tours Committee, CNU 18 Atlanta 2010 I Member, CNU 18 Atlanta 2010 Host
Committee, CONGRESS FOR THE NEW URBANISM (CNU)

Volunteer, Deliver Meals on Wheels, SENIOR COMMUNITY SERVICES OF METRO ATLANTA

President, 2004 I Board of Directors, 1998 - 2004 and 1993 - 1995, GEORGIA ECONOMIC DEVELOPERS
ASSOCIATION (GEDA)

Regional Leadership Institute Class of 2001, Atlanta Regional Commission

Basic Economic Development Course Director Committee I Education Committee, INTERNATIONAL
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

Session I Director, 1998 2001, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT I NSTITUTE, UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA

Board of Directors/Executive Committee, 2000 2005, INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
COUNCIL

Board of Directors, 2004 2005, GEORGIA ASSOCIATION OF CHAMBER OF COMMERCE EXECUTIVES

Board of Directors, 2004 2005, GEORGIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Past President, ROTARY CLUB OF SOUTH HALL COUNTY

Board/Governor's appointee, GEORGIA ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DIVISION SMALL BUSI NESS
COMPLIANCE