FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ATLANTA – March 16, 2022 – Invest Atlanta today announced the hiring of Martin LaMar as the agency’s senior vice president of Economic Development. LaMar will lead the economic development team focusing on business attraction, business retention and expansion, small business development, innovation and entrepreneurship, foreign direct investment (FDI) and creative industries activities.
“Economic development is a critical component that drives economic growth in Atlanta economy, creating high wage jobs and facilitating an improved quality of life,” said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta. “Martin brings an extensive breadth of experience in economic development which also crosses over into affordable housing, and we look forward to benefiting from his expertise to do more great work for our city.”
Before joining Invest Atlanta, LaMar served as the chief economic development officer for the City of Pittsburgh. In this role, he was responsible for strategic oversight of two of Pittsburgh’s authorities – the Housing Authority and Urban Redevelopment Authority as well as the city’s Planning and Permits, Licensing, and Inspections departments with emphasis on economic, social, and business continuity criteria. With more than 20 years of broad-based experience in real estate (operations, development, financing, and acquisition), resource stewardship, and economic development, LaMar’s professional propensity provides full management and oversight of financial, operational, marketing, and budgetary aspects. Additional and continuous career focal points have been, creating and building assets, public-private (P3) partnerships, securing meaningful community relationships, program innovation, developing and impacting public policy, fostering civic engagement, asset management, government affairs, sustainability, and human capital. Prior to this role, he held executive roles in Saint Louis, Philadelphia, and Atlanta.
“Invest Atlanta’s role and impact in making Atlanta significant and impactful throughout the nation and the world is obvious and the opportunity to lead the economic development team is a privilege I hold in the highest regard,” said Martin LaMar. “As a proud native Atlantan, I look forward to upholding the organization’s vision to make Atlanta dynamic and competitive worldwide.”
A native Atlantan, LaMar earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from Alabama A&M University, master’s degrees from the University of Washington in social policy and public administration, and a Master of Business Administration from Brenau (GA) University.
About Invest Atlanta
Invest Atlanta is the official economic development authority for the City of Atlanta. Its purpose is to strengthen Atlanta’s economy and global competitiveness to create increased opportunity and prosperity for the people of Atlanta. Chaired by the Mayor of Atlanta and governed by a nine- member board of directors, Invest Atlanta’s programs and initiatives focus on developing and fostering public/private partnerships to create jobs, grow the economy, revitalize neighborhoods, attract investment, spur innovation and encourage entrepreneurship. To achieve these goals, Invest Atlanta leverages the benefits of bond financing, revolving loan funds, housing financing, tax increment financing and tax credits.
Media Contacts:
Katrice L. Mines
Manager, Public Relations
Invest Atlanta
(404) 614-8316
kmines@investatlanta.com