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Robert M. Van Geons, CEcD
Since 2017, Robert has been President and CEO of the Fayetteville Cumberland County Economic Development Corporation, announcing more than $500 million in new investment and 4,500 jobs, with international and domestic companies. His team is committed to building a dynamic and business-friendly community, leveraging next-generation technologies, and a uniquely skilled workforce. Robert believes that successful communities prosper when the public and private sectors work together. Prior to moving to Fayetteville, he led Rowan County NC's EDC for nine years. Robert has worked in both Economic Development and Land Use Management, serving communities in Connecticut and North Carolina. He has had the privilege of being directly involved in the creation and preservation of over 9,000 jobs and $2.7 billion of announced investment.
Robert Van Geons
A strong supporter of the “Open Source Economic Development” model, he is committed to proactive collaboration and communication. The OSED model utilizes a pragmatic system of convening, communicating, and collaborating in order to build civic networks that embrace, outcome-based, action oriented initiatives and leverage available resources, evolving strategic planning into “Strategic Doing.” Utilizing these behaviors, FCEDC provides a conduit through which positively motivated stakeholders can connect their passion, resources and energies to drive innovation.
An advocate of “life-long-learning”, he received his Master of Science in Economic Development from the University of Southern Mississippi and completed his Bachelor of Arts at Catawba College. He has also earned his Certification in City/County Management from the University of North Carolina School of Government, is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma’s Economic Development Institute, and is a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD). He has also been recognized as one of the Charlotte Business Journal’s 2009 “40 under 40”. In 2017 Robert was named one of the "Top 50 Economic Developers in North Amercia" by Consultant Connect.
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