Brunswick Business and Industry Development board recently elected new officers for the 2020-21 fiscal year, according to a news release.

Kris Ward, residential development and special projects manager with ATMC, was named chair of the Brunswick Business and Industry Development (Brunswick BID) Board of Directors. 

Ward replaces outgoing chair Jason McLeod, who has served the board for the past three years, said Bill Early, executive director of Brunswick BID. 

"We look forward to continuing to work with Jason as he continues to serve on our board and in his new role as a board member of the N.C. Economic [Development] Association," Early said in the release.

“I appreciate the work that Mr. McLeod has done in his time as Chairman to successfully guide BBID in our transformation to a public-private partnership,” Ward said in the release. “I look forward to leading this Board and working with Mr. Early and his staff as we continue to focus on improving the business climate in Brunswick County by telling Brunswick County’s story, creating an environment conducive to investment, job growth, and advocating on behalf of our local businesses.”

Other Brunswick BID officers are: Allen Bryant, senior vice president and marketing director with First Citizens Bank (vice chair); Dennis Ewald, founder of Red Eagle Consulting (secretary); and Evan Gore, senior vice president and market president with Truist Financial Corp. (treasurer).

The officers lead a 16-member board of directors that consist of eight at-large private sector members, five members appointed by the Brunswick County Board of Commissioners, and the chair and vice chair of the county board of commissioners. Randell Woodruff, Brunswick County manager, serves as an ex-officio member, stated the release.

Brunswick BID also announced the renewal of its Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), an agreement between the organization and Brunswick County entered in October 2017 for the provision of economic development and industrial recruitment services. 

The MOU was slated to expire on June 30, however, a recent action extended the agreement to June 30, 2023. 

“We are grateful for the opportunity to continue promoting Brunswick County to industries that are looking for a new home or a place to expand,” Early said in the release. “Brunswick County is an ideal location for new business and industry, with convenient access to several major highways, the Port of Wilmington, and the CSX rail system. In addition, the area has over 200,000 skilled workers, two universities, and three community colleges that stand ready to prepare and train workers for new industries.”