Grapevine hires economic development director
Seeking to capitalize on its prime development opportunities, the city of Grapevine has hired Bob Farley to serve as its first-ever economic development director.
The city created the position as part of its new, strategic focus on attracting, retaining and growing quality businesses in the community, according to a news release.
Farley was selected after an extensive nationwide search.
“Grapevine is excited and fortunate to bring in a professional of Bob’s caliber to serve as our first economic development director,” City Manager Bruno Rumbelow said in the release. “Bob will serve a vital role in identifying key business prospects and then creating and executing successful marketing campaigns to attract those businesses here. With his talent for innovation, extensive experience and knowledge of economic development trends, coupled with Grapevine’s unique attributes, we expect to be very successful in this new initiative.”
Farley will oversee a master plan for an 185-acre parcel near Grapevine Mills — known as the Palmeiro tract because it was previously owned by former Texas Rangers player Rafael Palmeiro —that the city acquired in December, and marketing the property to developers or users.
The prime property, located at the intersection of SH121, Grapevine Mills Boulevard and Grapevine Mills Parkway, is the single largest tract of undeveloped land remaining in Grapevine. The city recently retained a land-planning consultant to conduct feasibility and site planning, and to develop a site marketing plan.
Farley will also focus on raising Grapevine’s profile with strategically identified end-user markets, such as hospitality and entertainment.
Development of a future TEX Rail station and the surrounding area, in downtown Grapevine, will also be a priority, the release said.
“The mission of our Economic Development team is to provide assistance in business attraction, relocation and retention,” Mayor William D. Tate said in the release. “The city of Grapevine prides itself in being a progressive city that seeks unique and powerful venues to better our economy, community and business climate. The dexterity and insight that Bob possesses will be an asset to the growth and development of Grapevine.”
Farley brings 25 years of experience in economic development and corporate advisory roles to the city. Most recently, he served as a partner with Greyhill Advisors, where he worked with corporate, public sector and real estate industry clients on site selection and strategic support for companies expanding new services and entering or evaluating new markets.
Prior to joining Greyhill, Farley served as a senior vice president for Hillwood Development in Fort Worth, one of the largest real estate developers and investors in the country. He oversaw Hillwood’s pre-development consulting services domestically and internationally. Previously, Farley served as national practice leader in Deloitte & Touche’s Atlanta office, and was a partner at Fantus Consulting, working on corporate site selection and economic development consulting at both firms.
Farley served as senior staff in charge of economic development for Texas Gov. Bill Clements and as deputy director of the Texas Department of Commerce in the 1980s. He has also served as chief development officer for the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce and led a 14-county regional economic development organization in Ohio.
He has served as a board member of several prestigious industry organizations, including the International Economic Development Council. Farley is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Syracuse University.
“I am honored to have been selected for this new position and look forward to guiding Grapevine’s economic development initiative,” Farley said in the release. “With Grapevine’s incredibly attractive, business-friendly climate and strongly positioned brand, I am confident that we can strategically bring best-in-class businesses to Grapevine, further building our tax base, creating meaningful job opportunities and enhancing this outstanding community.”
This story was originally published September 10, 2014 at 3:41 PM with the headline "Grapevine hires economic development director."