Appointment of Executive Director
COOS BAY, Ore. (December 27, 2023) – The South Coast Development Council, Inc. (SCDC), a leading economic development organization in Oregon, is excited to announce the appointment of Lexie Woodward as its new Executive Director, effective January 8, 2024. Woodward brings a wealth of experience in economic and community development, making her an ideal leader for SCDC's mission of promoting economic growth and vitality across Oregon's South Coast.
"We are thrilled to welcome Lexie to the South Coast Development Council. Her impressive track record in economic and community development and her deep roots in Oregon make her the ideal choice to lead our organization,” Board Chair David Milliron said. “Lexie's unique blend of local insight and broad experience is what we need to drive forward our mission of promoting economic growth and vitality across the South Coast. Her ability to hit the ground running and her commitment to fostering collaboration and partnership will be instrumental in expanding our economic development efforts. We are confident that under Lexie's leadership, SCDC will reach new heights in enhancing our communities' prosperity and quality of life on Oregon's beautiful South Coast."
Born and raised in the Portland suburb of Lake Oswego, Oregon, Woodward's appointment marks a return to her home state, bringing her extensive experience across the United States and international arenas. With a Masters in Recreation, Park, and Tourism Administration from Western Illinois University and a notable tenure with Peace Corps in Nicaragua and AmeriCorps in Illinois, Woodward's diverse background aligns perfectly with SCDC's vision.
Previously, Woodward has held significant roles in economic development, ranging from Economic Development Coordinator in rural Page, Arizona, to Manager of Economic Development in burgeoning metropolitan Mesquite, Texas. Her leadership in her roles has been marked by successful growth management, business retention, expansion initiatives, and innovative redevelopment projects.
As SCDC's Executive Director, Woodward will oversee efforts to foster collaboration and partnership among public and private entities on Oregon’s South Coast. SCDC, headquartered in Coos Bay and operating from the Southwestern Oregon Community College campus, serves a 158-mile range from the City of Florence to the Port of Brookings-Harbor. Woodward will provide technical assistance to retain, expand, and attract living-wage companies and grow them from within the region.
Woodward will be strategically involved in the $300,000 Economic Development Administration grant recently awarded to the SCDC to accelerate technology entrepreneurship on the South Coast by increasing access to entrepreneurial support and startup capital. The SCDC is leading the South Coast Incubator Technology Industry Ecosystem Development project with support from Southwestern Oregon Community College and the cities of Coos Bay and North Bend.
The Board of Directors at the South Coast Development Council extends its heartfelt gratitude to the Judith Ann Mogan Foundation and the Bandon Dunes Charitable Foundation for their invaluable financial contributions. These organizations played a pivotal role in successfully recruiting and hiring our new executive director. “Their generous support facilitated a thorough and wide-reaching search and underscored the vital importance of community partnerships in advancing our regional economic development goals. This collaboration serves as a testament to the power of united efforts in shaping a prosperous future for the South Coast,” Milliron said.
About the South Coast Development Council, Inc.
The South Coast Development Council, Inc. is a regional economic development organization and private non-profit that exists to foster communication, collaboration, and partnership among the various collateral public and private entities on Oregon’s South Coast and to promote economic development, job creation, business retention, and expansion, encouraging new investment, and enhancing the economic vitality of the region. SCDCinc is centered in Coos Bay, Oregon, and has offices on the Southwestern Oregon Community College campus. We serve the southern half of the Oregon coast from the City of Florence to the Port of Brookings-Harbor, working to enhance partnerships and provide no-cost technical assistance to retain, expand, and attract living-wage companies and industry to our communities. The southern Oregon coast is home to approx. 110,000 residents, four counties, 12 cities, seven port districts, the Coos Bay Rail Line, and the only commercial airport on the Oregon coast. The region is surrounded by outdoor adventure and is home to the world-class Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, hundreds of outdoor recreation opportunities, and an exceptional quality of life.
Media Contact: Rick Osborn, Board Vice-Chair, South Coast Development Council, Inc., 541-908-6384 or rick@blueridgestrategies.net