Governing Board

Heidi Green

Commissioner, Georgia Department of Economic Development

Heidi Green was appointed Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), the marketing arm of the state of Georgia, July 1, 2010, by Governor Sonny Perdue. Ms. Green will lead the state’s work to create jobs and investment in Georgia through the agency’s Global Commerce; Tourism; and Film, Music and Digital Entertainment divisions.

Ms. Green had served as the Deputy Commissioner for Global Commerce at the agency since June 2007. As leader of GDEcD’s business-focused division, Ms. Green directed the state’s work to bring jobs and investment to Georgia through company recruitment and expansions, resulting in the commitment of 41,675 new jobs and $7.5 billion in new investment in Georgia over her first 30 months. She also led the agency’s work to grow Georgia’s small business and international trade sectors as well as its global, national and statewide market penetration through 10 international offices, 3 national offices and 12 regional project managers.

Prior to joining GDEcD, Ms. Green served as Governor Sonny Perdue’s director of intergovernmental affairs since joining the Governor-elect’s transition team in November 2002. She helped develop policies, budget and operations for the state and managed relationships with federal departments and elected officials, state agencies and local governments. In addition to serving as a senior advisor to the Governor on issues such as economic development, transportation, water management and PeachCare, she represented the Governor’s office in regional and national organizations, including the Southern Governors’ Association, Republican Governors’ Association, and National Governors’ Association.

After beginning her career in intergovernmental affairs in Washington D.C. in the office of Congressman Bill Thomas (R-CA), in 1998 Ms. Green became Projects Director for Senator Paul Coverdell (R-GA) and served on Senator Saxby Chambliss(R-GA)’s campaign staff in 2002. Her background also includes a stint as account manager at the P.H. Prochnow Group in Washington, a mentoring non-profit firm.

Ms. Green is Chair of the Georgia Allies Executive Committee and the Georgia Entrepreneur and Small Business Network. She is a member of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce International Committee and UGA College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences Advisory Council. She was named one of Georgia Trend’s “40 under 40” in 2008 and Cobb County’s “20 under 40” in 2009. Her work on major projects for the state has been recognized with numerous economic development awards by major trade and business publications during the last three years.

Ms. Green holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Affairs from Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. She and her family reside in Marietta.