Gov. Kemp Names Leader of Rural Strike Team

Atlanta, GA – Governor Brian P. Kemp and First Lady Marty Kemp today joined Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) Commissioner Pat Wilson during an event in the North Wing of the State Capitol to name Tift County Development Authority President and CEO Brian Marlowe as the new Deputy Commissioner for Rural Georgia. In this role, Marlowe will lead the Governor's Rural Strike Team, the formation of which was announced last September.

"It is my honor to name Brian Marlowe as the new Deputy Commissioner for Rural Georgia and leader of the Rural Strike Team," said Governor Kemp. "With today's announcement, we are fulfilling another promise from the campaign trail to spur economic growth and opportunity in rural Georgia. With more than 20 years spent working in rural economic development, Brian's track record of locating new projects in his community, expanding existing industries, and generating opportunity in South Georgia speaks for itself. I have every confidence that by working with leaders in the General Assembly, the business community, our universities and technical colleges, state agencies, local developers, and the world-class team at GDEcD, Brian will help us move the needle for rural Georgia."

"I am honored to be trusted with such an important responsibility by Governor Kemp," said Marlowe. "I've spent my professional life working to promote growth and opportunity in Tift County and throughout rural Georgia. Throughout my career, I've seen how ripe for investment rural Georgia truly is, and I am proud to partner with Governor Kemp, the Department of Economic Development, the Rural Strike Team, the business community, and stakeholders throughout the state to bring projects of regional significance to communities that want to grow."

“We’re excited to welcome Brian Marlowe to our team at the Georgia Department of Economic Development and appreciate the Governor’s continued attention to capitalizing on our state’s rural assets,” said GDEcD Commissioner Pat Wilson. “As the Top State for Business, Georgia has a proven history of being a top competitor for investment from every major industry sector in every community – large and small. The first three months of fiscal year 2021 are off to a strong start as we’ve announced new job-creating economic development projects in all 12 regions of our state. Working with Brian Marlowe and the Rural Strike Team, along with our sister state agencies, local economic developers, and partners in the General Assembly, we will continue to work tirelessly to land projects in rural Georgia and build on Georgia’s incredible momentum.”

Brian Marlowe currently serves as the President/CEO of the Tifton-Tift County Chamber of Commerce and the Tift County Development Authority. He has extensive experience in economic development and local government in rural Georgia, serving as a practitioner and advocate for more than 20 years. He has a successful track record of new industry locations as well existing industry expansions, representing thousands of jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars in local investment.

Brian is actively involved in numerous local, regional, state, and national organizations supporting economic development in rural Georgia. Included among these are the Georgia Economic Developer’s Association (GEDA), the Southern Economic Development Council (SEDC), the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), the Georgia Chamber of Commerce Board of Governors, and the Georgia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (GACCE). Most recently, he served as a member of Governor Kemp’s transition team. Brian continues to advocate for issues important to rural Georgia. These include broadband access, healthcare, education, transportation, and economic development.

Brian’s academic credentials include a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from Florida State University and a Master of Public Administration degree from Valdosta State. He also possesses numerous leadership and economic development certifications and awards from various organizations. Brian’s son, Cade, plays baseball in the Seattle Mariners minor league organization and his daughter, Marlee, is a junior at the University of Georgia.