Mr. Carlson recently joined the City of DeSoto to lead the economic development efforts of the City and its Economic Development Corporation. He comes to DeSoto from Parker, Colorado, where he oversaw that city’s activities related to business recruitment, business retention and expansion, greenfield and redevelopment activities, marketing and workforce development. During his career he has also led economic efforts in several large communities in the Midwest and Southeastern United States. During his tenure in Douglasville, GA he was instrumental in establishing west Atlanta as an area of rapid growth in the retail, commercial, industrial and transportation/logistics sectors.
With more than 20 years of experience in economic/community development and strategy management consulting, his expertise includes business recruitment and assistance, international business development, strategic planning, site location assistance and private real estate development. He has served on the Boards of numerous industry and non-profit organizations engaged in national level economic development as well as numerous local civic organizations.
Matt holds a bachelor’s degree in Management Sciences from Pepperdine University and a Master of Business Administration from the Goizueta School of Business at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. He is also one of only 1300 individuals worldwide to hold the International Economic Development Council’s designation of Certified Economic Developer.