The state Commerce Department announced Monday that it’s hired a new deputy secretary who has been overseeing economic development for the city of Tempe, Arizona.
Lt. Gov. and Secretary of Commerce David Toland announced that Joshua Jefferson has been named the agency’s new deputy secretary for business development.
Jefferson has 15 years of experience in economic development, commercial real estate and airport management, most recently serving as economic development program manager for the city of Tempe.
Jefferson is credited for helping drive growth in the entire greater Phoenix metro region, attracting more than $400 million in private capital investment that resulted in the creation of a combined 17,000 direct and indirect new jobs.
Earlier, Jefferson worked as the ec for the
Jefferson’s team oversaw development that produced $1.8 billion in annual economic benefits, attracting major companies such as Gulfstream Aerospace, Virgin Galactic and Boeing.
Jefferson earned a bachelor’s in Urban Real Estate Planning at Arizona State University.
“Joshua has a proven relentless commitment to growth, investment attraction and sustainable development, as well as a deep understanding of how these sectors interconnect,” Toland said in a statement.
Jefferson started at Commerce on Monday. He will fill a vacancy created in June 2023 when former Deputy Secretary Paul Hughes resigned to become a private consultant.
