North Carolina’s Southeast, a private-public partnership that encourages economic growth in the region, announced the incoming arrival of a new director of business & economic development. 

Phillip Shumaker, who currently serves as the Existing Industry Expansions Manager with the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, will fill the new role starting Feb. 1. 

“EDPNC has been an invaluable conduit into economic development,” Phillip says. “The organization allowed me to do something new, and I’m appreciative of that opportunity.” He looks forward to building on that experience as he embarks on new avenues at NC’s Southeast. “I’ve wanted to gain more exposure to the recruiting side and the marketing side, and this was the opportunity to do that,” he says.

Shumaker’s vast economic development repertoire, which includes his service to companies and communities in the Sandhills Prosperity Zone, his  membership in the Local Developer Advisory Group, and his time at EDPNC since that “has included support for job creation and capital investment at Campbell’s Soup, Black’s Tire, American Wood Fiber, Meritor, Stevens Roberts Original Desserts, and other major employers growing their operations in the region,” the press release said. 

Although he is originally from Maryland, Shumaker now lives in Pinehurst and has had ties to North Carolina his entire life. Shumaker visited his great grandmother in Robbins, N.C. growing up. He then received his Bachelor of Science from High Point University and received his MBA from UNC’s Kenan-Flagler Business School in Chapel Hill. 

A resident of Pinehurst, Shumaker has served in a number of other fields, to include marketing, defense, and family real estate. He is a veteran, having served Active Duty in the U.S. Air Fort from 2009 to 2013, earning the rank of Staff Sergeant. 

“I know our investors, allies and partners join me in enthusiastically welcoming Phillip to our team,” said NC’s Southeast Chairman Jeff Etheridge. “He has the skills, knowledge and energy to navigate a steady course for our marketing and economic development programs, and to articulate the region’s value proposition to audiences everywhere.”