Chris Carmody has been a leader in innovative economic development practices for almost 20 years. He is a consultant to non-profits, cities and business organizations, with an emphasis on mid-sized markets. Chris has substantial experience in leveraging tax incentives, grants and business partnerships to catalyze new economic activity. He has been particularly involved in helping communities integrate arts and cultural initiatives into their broader economic development strategies. Chris has grown a regional film industry, worked on adaptive re-use of buildings, been a leader in establishing public funding of arts and culture, and has driven many other public policy initiatives to stimulate urban economies.

As the founder of the Greater Cleveland Film Commission, he brought over $55 million in new motion picture business to northeast Ohio. Under his direction, Cleveland won Spider Man 3 as well as films starring George Clooney, Denzel Washington and Meg Ryan.

In Cleveland, Chris has led an initiative to adapt the 375,000 square foot Cleveland Convention Center as the only free downtown motion picture production facility in the country. He also played an instrumental role in the development of the Hyacinth Lofts, a live-work space devoted specifically to film and media artists.

After graduating from Oberlin College in 1989, Chris staffed Michael R. White in his successful bid to become Cleveland’s second African American mayor. He served in the mayor’s cabinet from 1990 to 1995, and on Cleveland’s Board of Zoning Appeals for six years.

Chris holds an MBA from Case Western Reserve University where he served as class president. In 2002, Chris was selected for a prestigious American Marshall Memorial Fellowship. In 2004, he managed Issue 31, the first campaign to establish local public funding for arts and culture in Cuyahoga County. He has served as Trustee of several organizations promoting sustainability, general economic development and the arts. Chris has taught undergraduate and graduate level courses in non-profit strategic management and politics at Oberlin College and Cleveland State University.

www.christophercarmody.com