JLA is a global virtually integrated company specializing in home furnishing products and is a welcome addition to a growing distribution market that has become one of the main service hubs of the Southeast.

“There were many items considered while we researched for our new location on the east coast, however the overall Port of Savannah was the key along with the pro business attitude that was expressed by all parties within the Savannah area,” said Rodney Dickey, chief operating officer of JLA Home. “The overall quality of life, real estate market and labor pool was also a major attraction. We look forward to opening our operations and gradually building a strong base for our company in this eastern Port.”

The sale is also notable as the largest Class A industrial property to sell in the Savannah market in almost three years.

The property was initially developed in conjunction with the Savannah Economic Development Authority (SEDA), to provide tax benefits to prospective business clients. Based on job creation and capital investment, JLA will continue to benefit from this program and will enter into a new lease with SEDA upon sale. SEDA was also instrumental in the recruitment of JLA.

“The creative economic development solution from SEDA allowed us to build this property and continues to be a strong incentive for users to locate in Savannah. They have been an excellent partner,” said Michael Dermody, CEO and chairman of Dermody Properties/DP Partners.

“We are always pleased when we can facilitate the location of a company in our area, particularly in today’s business climate when beating out other communities for new jobs and investment can quickly elevate to an intense level of competition,” said Tommy Hester, Chairman of the SEDA Board of Directors. “An international company like JLA selecting Savannah is never an accident and today’s announcement will further solidify the significance of the Port of Savannah to our local and state economies as it continues to serve as a gateway to the world.”

“Our LogistiPort was the first multi-building industrial park in the Southeast United States to be LEED certified by the US Green Building Council and the building that JLA purchased is one of the top ‘green buildings’ in the region,” said Par Tolles of Dermody Properties/DP Partners.

Tolles and Stephen Bailey, Dermody Properties’ Eastern Region Partner, managed the transaction for Dermody Properties.

“This is a great benefit to the community of Savannah,” said Bailey. “Job creation is what it’s all about in these difficult times, and Dermody Properties is pleased to have played a key role.”

“JLA joins a growing list of port-dependent business choosing to call Savannah home over other South Atlantic options,” stated Curtis J. Foltz, executive director, Georgia Ports Authority, which assisted in attracting JLA to Savannah. “Proximity to a deepwater terminal, a state with pro-port pro-business leadership, immediate access to interstate and rail for deeper market penetration all contributed to Savannah meeting JLA’s freight mobility needs.”

David Sink with Colliers International and Steve Chess with Townsend Commercial Real Estate represented the purchaser and Bob Robers and Steve Grable with Jones Lang LaSalle represented DP Partners.

“JLA Home is a great fit for the Savannah market. After looking in other markets, including Charleston and Norfolk, they came to the conclusion that Savannah was the best location from a logistics standpoint with the most efficient port, affordable real estate and pro-business climate,” said David Sink with Colliers.

More information about SEDA: http://www.seda.org/ .

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News Source: Savannah Economic Development Authority :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source by Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®.

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“Steven Weathers has been a dynamic force in economic development for more than 20 years,” said Tommy Hester, chairman of the SEDA board of directors. “We look forward to him bringing new leadership, remarkable enthusiasm and a vast knowledge of economic development to Savannah as we continue to attract major investment from manufacturing, assembly and logistics industries, while also expanding our economy in new ways.”

Weathers is currently president and CEO of Regional Growth Partnership, a private sector-driven and funded economic development company serving Toledo and northwest Ohio. He also serves as president and managing director of Rocket Ventures, a venture capital fund that serves as the “for profit” arm of RGP. Under his direction, RGP has helped attract 7,000 jobs, more than $800 million in new wages and $2.2 billion in new construction investment. Through Rocket Ventures, Weathers has been involved in starting 70 new technology-based companies and bringing 800 new high paying tech based jobs along with $50 million of new venture co-investment funds to the region. Previously, Weathers served as president and CEO of the Greater Tucson Economic Council and vice president of the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation.

“I cannot imagine a better and more exciting opportunity than to serve as the next president and CEO of SEDA, one of the most respected economic development organizations in the country,” said Weathers. “I look forward to working with such an exceptional group of staff, board of directors and community leaders to attract new business to Savannah.”

Lynn M. Pitts, SEDA senior vice president and interim president and CEO, was also a finalist for the position.

“Lynn has demonstrated invaluable leadership as SEDA’s senior vice president and interim CEO,” said Hester. “We look forward to his continued contribution in the role as SEDA’s senior vice president. Our staff at SEDA has always been considered and in fact is one of the highest regarded and most effective economic development teams in the Country. Steve’s addition to the team’s already strong leadership group will undoubtedly enhance our ability to attract additional investment and jobs to our region.”

The SEDA Succession Planning Committee was formed in August 2009. Appointed by immediate past SEDA Board Chairman Brian Foster and led by Committee Chair and current Vice-Chairman of the SEDA Board David Paddison, the committee included board members Brooks Stillwell, Shevon Carr, Kevin Jackson, Paul Hinchey and Brian Foster.

Throughout the fall of 2009, the committee held focus group sessions asking SEDA stakeholders to talk about what they wanted from the organization and its next leader. Based on the focus groups’ feedback, the committee developed a job description and search specifications. The Succession Committee officially launched an exhaustive analysis of national executive search firms following the announcement last January that SEDA President Rick Winger would retire effective July 1, 2010.

In February, the board voted to conduct a national search and in May the search firm of Heidrick and Struggles was selected. Recognizing the search would still be in process at the time of Winger’s departure, the board named SEDA Senior Vice President Lynn Pitts to the position of interim president and CEO on April 13. The Succession Planning Committee announced on Sept. 10 that Weathers and Pitts had been named finalists in the process.

“It has been a long, arduous and important process. The Succession Planning Committee members dedicated countless hours of their personal time, and none more so than Brooks Stillwell. I am grateful for their invaluable contributions to this effort and for the full board’s confidence in our work,” Paddison said.

Weathers will begin Nov. 8, 2010.

About SEDA:

The Savannah Economic Development Authority works to improve the standard of living for all citizens of Chatham County by stimulating the economy through the attraction of new investment, the creation of new jobs and the support of established businesses in the area.

To learn more, visit www.seda.org .

Plain text copy of press release (and media contact)

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STORY REFERENCES: Savannah Economic Development Authority Board of Directors names new President and CEO, Steven W Weathers, SEDA, Savannah Economic Development Authority, Savannah, Steven Weathers, economic development, Lynn Pitts, standard of living for all citizens of Chatham County by stimulating the economy through the attraction of new investment, the creation of new jobs and the support of established businesses

Heidrick & Struggles is an international, premier provider of executive search and leadership consulting services, including talent management, board composition, executive on-boarding and M&A effectiveness. The firm boasts more than 55 years of industry experience and a global team of nearly 400 consultants working from more than 60 locations in principal cities of the world.

The Succession Planning Committee launched an exhaustive analysis of national executive search firms following SEDA President and CEO Rick Winger’s announcement that he would retire, effective July 1, 2010. The committee conducted community-wide focus group meetings and personal interviews to identify the ideal skills and qualities for the next president and CEO. Armed with that valuable data, the search firm will call for qualified candidates, evaluate applicants, and make recommendations to the committee for interviews and final selection.

Twice ranked as one of the best development groups in the country, SEDA has a clear record of success including the recent announcement that Mitsubishi Power Systems Americas Inc. is investing more than $300 million to build a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Chatham County. Home to the fourth largest and fastest growing port in the country, Savannah is positioned for unprecedented growth with the upcoming completion of the Panama Canal expansion. Port-related distribution is a major economic generator for the area. And, with Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation as the region’s largest private employer, Savannah also enjoys a strong manufacturing base. Savannah’s diverse economy also includes a large tourism industry, two regional healthcare systems, a significant government/military presence as well as a growing number of creative and technical businesses.

The Savannah regional workforce is supported by an 11 county labor draw area, fueled by more than 50,000 students attending the 19 area colleges and universities, including the Savannah College of Art and Design, Georgia Tech Savannah, and Georgia Southern University.

An independently funded organization, SEDA can act in the best interests of both the client and the community without the hindrances often associated with publicly-funded operations. And, Savannah/Chatham County itself, residents and government alike, have helped SEDA achieve its mission by continuing to invest in infrastructure necessary for it to remain a vibrant, world-class community long into the future.

It is expected that the search will still be in process at that time of Winger’s departure. In order to insure continuity of leadership and proactive efforts, the board named SEDA Sr. VP Lynn Pitts, to the position of Interim President and CEO on April 13.

David Paddison, chairman of the committee, said, “The succession planning committee has been working for nine months to plan and execute a first rate national search for SEDA’s next president and CEO. With Dale Jones and the professional team at Heidrick & Struggles on board, all the right ingredients are in place to bring about a successful outcome for our community.”

All inquiries should be directed to seda@heidrick.com .

News Source: Savannah Economic Development Authority :: This press release was issued by Send2Press® and is Copyright © 2010 Neotrope® News Network – all rights reserved.