Idaho Commerce Department Names New Economic Development Officer

Bannock Development Corporation

The Idaho Department of Commerce has named Gynii Gilliam as its new chief economic development officer.  Here’s the press release from the Department:

Gilliam will lead the agency’s economic development team and will be responsible for creating economic growth, across all industry sectors, for the state of Idaho.

“Ms. Gilliam will be an excellent addition to our team,” said Commerce Director Jeffery Sayer. “Her strong leadership, her proactive and partnership-focused approach, and her experience will be a great asset for our team and for our state. We are excited to have her join our effort to accelerate employment growth and business creation for our great state.”

“I look forward to supporting the efforts of local and regional organizations throughout the state,” said Gilliam. “The Department of Commerce is taking a much stronger approach toward strengthening regional partnerships. Rest assured that I will build those valuable relationships with private industry as well as local, regional, and state organizations as we all work together to advance our great state forward.”

Gilliam has over 20 years’ experience in the industry. Most recently, she served as executive director of Bannock Development Corporation in the Pocatello region. In that position, she was instrumental in strengthening the BDC economic development team, whose credits include retaining ON Semiconductor and Farmers Insurance; as well as recruiting Hoku Materials and Allstate Insurance. Together, these companies have brought over $800 million in capital investment and will provide over 1,000 jobs in the greater Pocatello region.

Gilliam holds a master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Michigan and a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from UCLA. She was the recipient of a Presidential Classroom Overseas Scholarship, a California State Scholarship and the Rackham Graduate School Fellowship.