Brookhaven Hires Its First Director Of Economic Development

BROOKHAVEN, Ga. – The City of Brookhaven has hired Shirlynn Brownell as its first Director of Economic Development.

Brownell, a former Corporate Solutions Project Manager at the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), assumes her new role on April 3.

“With the addition of Shirlynn Brownell and the wealth of knowledge and expertise she brings from the State of Georgia, Brookhaven can take charge of its own destiny in terms of creating jobs and capital investments in the City,” said Brookhaven City Manager Christian Sigman in a release.

Prior to her appointment as Corporate Solutions Project Manager, Brownell served as Project Analyst at GDEcD. In her roles, she recruited new industry on behalf of the state, generating hundreds of jobs and millions in investment for Georgia.

Brownell also managed the relocation and expansion of various high profile companies, notably HD Supply, Equifax, Courion, Stanley Black and Decker, and Geo-Digital. In addition, she also oversaw statistical research and analysis for all eight of GDEcD’s Centers of Innovation, including aerospace, agriculture, energy, life sciences and information technology, logistics and manufacturing.

“I have a longstanding passion for public service and economic development,” Brownell said in a statement. “My time with the State of Georgia has given me an excellent foundational understanding of how to generate jobs and investment in communities across the state. I am excited and ready to take on this new role, and I look forward to working in conjunction with the members of the City of Brookhaven to set and achieve new economic development goals for our city.”

Brownell graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations and Affairs before earning a Master’s Degree in Strategic Communications from Troy University, according to her LinkedIn profile.

Photo courtesy of the City of Brookhaven