Kevin D. Johnson
Board Member, Detroit Riverfront Conservancy
President & CEO, Detroit Economic Growth Corporation
Kevin D. Johnson is President and Chief Executive Officer, Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, Detroit's leading economic development driver. Under Kevin's leadership, the organization aims to create 10,000 jobs, open 140 small businesses and secure $3.4 billion of capital investment for the city by 2020.
In his role, Kevin builds upon 40 years of economic development, leadership, and positive impact the DEGC has had on city of Detroit. He brings a wide array of knowledge and experience to his new home in Detroit and will spearhead DEGC's business economic development work, including business attraction and retention, as well as key initiatives, such as:
■ Global Commerce: A two-pronged program that seeks to attract global business to the city and equip local Detroit businesses with the tools they need to export their goods to foreign markets.
■ Support Detroit entrepreneurs: DEGC operates several small business programs, including Motor City Match, Motor City Re-Store, and the District Business Liaisons initiative. The last is an effort to help business owners successfully open and operate a business in the city, leading to dense, vibrant commercial corridors in Detroit's neighborhoods.
■ Lead Land Development: Unlock economic growth citywide by assembling land for industrial development and activating unused space.
A veteran of economic development, Kevin has served in both public and private economic- development positions throughout the U.S., including roles in Arizona, Florida, North Carolina and Georgia before coming to Detroit. Johnson graduated from South Carolina State University with a B.S. in Political Science/Pre-Law.
During his tenure at Invest Atlanta, Kevin led the economic development program for the city, helping to create nearly 31,000 jobs and generating $3.7 billion in new capital investment. He also played a key role in bringing 17 new corporate headquarters to the city, including Porsche Cars North America, Groupe PSA, and NCR.