The Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corporation (GOEDC) has hired Claude M. Bacon as its new President and CEO, effective July 10, 2023. The GOEDC Board of Directors unanimously approved the hiring of Bacon to fill the President and CEO role for the economic development agency.
Bacon will join the GOEDC team in July, bringing more than 25 years of business and resource development experience. For the last 15 years, Bacon has served as the Vice President of Administration, Sales, Marketing and E-Commerce for LinGate Hospitality in Owensboro, KY.
“We are excited for Claude to bring his energy, passion and relationship-building skills to the EDC. He has a deep love for our Greater Owensboro community, and will help us continue with our long-term mission of the EDC to retain, grow and attract employers to our community,” said Amy Jackson, current Chair of the GOEDC. “He is the right person for the role at the right time with his history of success in public relations, business development, entrepreneurship, developing strategy, growing investor relationships and resources, paired with his passion to grow the Owensboro-Daviess County economy.”
Active in the Owensboro-Daviess County community, Bacon is currently the board chair of Visit Owensboro and board member at the Cliff Hagan Boys and Girls Club. On a state-wide level, he serves on the executive board of the Kentucky Travel Industry Association (KTIA), most recently bringing their annual meeting to Owensboro. Bacon earned his BA in Public Relations and Marketing, and his MA in Communications from Western Kentucky University.
“I am honored and grateful to represent Owensboro-Daviess County in this role. I see an extraordinarily bright future for the organization and our community,” said Bacon.
The Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corporation (GOEDC) is the economic development agency for Owensboro and Daviess County. GOEDC is a public/private partnership formed to attract and to grow primary employers. The Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corporation also assists existing businesses with retention and expansion projects and to promote entrepreneurial growth. GOEDC’s mission is to support, promote and attract a diversified, innovative and sustainable, worldclass economy.
