The Site Selectors Guild Inc. announced the induction of two new members, bringing the number of professional consultants in the elite organization to thirty-six. This year’s distinguished roster deepens the Guild’s experience base and further extends its membership in North America and Canada.
In addition to a new slate of officers, the Site Selectors Guild also is pleased to announce the election of three new board members: Didi Caldwell, Bob Hess and Mark Williams. Each has been invaluable to the growth and development of the Site Selectors Guild and is thrilled to be stepping into new leadership roles to help further advance the organization. The three newly elected board members are replacing expired term positions held by Jay Garner, Jerry Szatan, and Deane Foote, all of which were founding members of the Site Selectors Guild. The current board roles are as follows: Phil Schneider as Board Chair, Darin Buelow as Vice-Chair, Michelle Comerford as Secretary and Mark Williams as Treasurer.
New Board members include:
Didi Caldwell, Principal at Global Location Strategies Didi Caldwell is in her second decade of consulting in the site selection, incentive negotiations and capital financing arenas. She has lead consulting projects in North and South America, Canada, Europe and Asia in numerous industries. Caldwell has also assisted in numerous companies with site selection, incentive negotiations and capital finance with a total investment value of over $15 billion. She holds dual citizenship in the United States and Australia and hold advanced academic degrees.
Bob Hess, Executive Managing Director at Newmark Grubb Knight Frank Global Corporate Services Bob Hess is preeminent, sought-after service provider and respected leader in corporate location strategy and site selection across multiple industries and asset types in North America. He has conducted over 250 assignments on a global basis, including major CAPX projects in Asia, Europe and Mexico. He has led the strategic placement of over 40 million square feet of real estate across multiple geographies (and urban, suburban and rural) and helped secure over $1 billion in incentives to support these efforts. Hess has 24 years of experience and holds advanced academic degrees in economic geography and urban planning.
Mark Williams, President of Strategic Development Group, Inc. Mark Williams has served as an advisor to U.S. Governors, Mayors, legislators, and Directors of State Development agencies on a variety of business retention, strategic planning, and target marketing initiatives. He has been named as “One of the Top 10 Site Consultants that know the South Best” and “One of the Top 3 Site Consultants in South Carolina” by Southern Business and Development Magazine. Williams has also been awarded the Order of the Palmetto, the highest honor that can be given to a South Carolina citizen, for his success in economic development during the 1990’s.
