New economic development commissioner named

(May 11, 2007) Joan McDonald, senior vice president of the New York City Economic Development Corp., has been nominated by Gov. Rell as commissioner of Connecticut’s Department of Economic and Community Development. McDonald’s appointment follows a national search for an expert to lead the governor’s business development, job creation and responsible growth initiatives. She will have to be confirmed by the General Assembly.

McDonald has extensive government and private-sector experience in strategic planning, economic development, transportation policy and operations and public finance. She has also served as deputy commissioner for planning and traffic operations for the New York City Department of Transportation and deputy budget director for the New York State Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee. Her private-sector experience includes work as a private consultant and a position as vice president of Jacobs Engineering of New York.

Gov. Rell said her “marching orders” to McDonald call for the economic development department to generate 8,000 new jobs, or enough to break the record for total state employment, 1.7 million people.

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