Who We Are | Invest Long Beach

Action-oriented. Locally focused.Invest Long Beach is the economic development corporation for the City of Long Beach — formerly the Long Beach Economic Partnership. Same mission, new name.OUR PURPOSEInvestLongBeachisanaction-orientedorganisationthatwillsustainandgrowbusinessandexpandcitywideeconomicopportunity,withaglobalvisionthatislocallyfocused,throughmeaningfulpartnerships.Wefirmlybelievethatasimplestrategy,unwaveringfocusanddeliberateactionswillallowustodeliveronourvisionfordependablegrowth.The people behind the partnership.Led by an all-volunteer board of directors. Select anyone to read their full biography.Courtney RussellPositioning Long Beach as a global gateway for investment, trade and innovation.Former VP, Strategic Relationships, Visit Long Beach13 years in hotel general managementWorld Trade Center Long BeachWeston LaBarNearly two decades advancing growth, workforce and infrastructure across Southern California.Chief Strategy Officer, Waterfront LogisticsChair, Long Beach Workforce Innovation NetworkFormer CEO, Harbor Trucking AssociationRyan AltoonOver 20 years in real estate development, finance and strategic planning.CEO, Sustainable CitiesOver $500MM in new construction in CaliforniaRandal HernandezInstrumental in establishing the organisation, and its first chair.Executive Director, External Affairs, VerizonFormer Chair, Long Beach Economic Development CommissionBuilt by the city’s plan, for the city’s future.Invest Long Beach is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose mission is to enhance the profile of the City of Long Beach, foster civic engagement, and focus on economic and workforce development through business growth and retention.With a collaborative approach, Invest Long Beach brings together organisations to provide essential access, support, resources and guidance. By addressing the evolving needs of the greater region, we aim to enhance, uplift and drive economic prosperity for the community.We work directly with companies to understand their needs and help them succeed — providing business services that range from site selection to incentive programmes, industry-focused initiatives and talent pipeline development.2015 The Blueprint The City’s Economic Development Commission prepares an Economic Development Blueprint, which recommends the formation of a public-private economic development corporation. Read the BlueprintThe City’s Economic Development Commission prepares an Economic Development Blueprint, which recommends the formation of a public-private economic development corporation.2017 A citywide strategic plan Under the Economic Development Commission, chaired by Randal Hernandez, a new citywide strategic plan is adopted by the full City Council.Under the Economic Development Commission, chaired by Randal Hernandez, a new citywide strategic plan is adopted by the full City Council.2019 The Partnership is founded The Long Beach Economic Partnership is established in response to the Blueprint, assuming the 501(c)(3) nonprofit entity previously known as the Downtown Development Corporation — a vehicle to implement the City’s ten-year vision of Long Beach as the city of opportunity for workers, investors and entrepreneurs.The Long Beach Economic Partnership is established in response to the Blueprint, assuming the 501(c)(3) nonprofit entity previously known as the Downtown Development Corporation — a vehicle to implement the City’s ten-year vision of Long Beach as the city of opportunity for workers, investors and entrepreneurs.Today Invest Long Beach The Partnership becomes Invest Long Beach under Chief Executive Officer Courtney Russell, with the World Trade Center Long Beach under its umbrella and a renewed focus on foreign direct investment as the region prepares to host the 2028 LA Olympic Games.The Partnership becomes Invest Long Beach under Chief Executive Officer Courtney Russell, with the World Trade Center Long Beach under its umbrella and a renewed focus on foreign direct investment as the region prepares to host the 2028 LA Olympic Games.An economic development corporation, working for the whole city.The role of Invest Long Beach is to provide Long Beach with:Research and data-driven decisionsMessaging that leverages core assetsImplementing place-based strategiesSupport for focused, positive-ROI projectsFocus on high-growth sectorsBuild-out of economic foundational jobsLocalised forecast reportsIndustry leadership, profiles and eco-clustersBuild up local businesses, recruit entrepreneurs and tech startupsEvery sector at one table.The Partnership comprises multidisciplinary sector leaders from our business, civic and institutional partners, the financial services sector, nonprofits, foundations and agencies.Invest Long Beach is led by an all-volunteer board of directors, equally committed to the success of the City and of those who live, work and engage in its many amenities and resources.Join the partnershipThe organisations at the table.Put your organisation on this wall, and in the room where the city’s economic priorities are set.Who guides the work.KV Kristine Valle Common SpiritKP Kristen Pugh Common SpiritLR Lisa Reddy PrologisCW Cherie Williams Moss AdamsKV Kristine Valle Virgin Hyperloop (guest)LR Lisa Reddy Common SpiritCW Cherie Williams Crown CastleKV Kristine Valle Wisk AeroBoard & committee meetings.Help shape the city’s next decade.Membership puts your organisation in the room where Long Beach’s economic priorities are set.