Alpharetta Economic Development Director Wins 40 Under 40 Award

ALPHARETTA, GA -- Peter Tokar, economic development director for the city of Alpharetta, has been named a winner in the profession’s 40 Under 40 awards.

An independent six-member selection committee evaluated and selected the winners based on their exceptional contributions to the economic development industry.

The award’s program was managed by Development Counsellors International, a New York-based firm that specializes in economic development marketing.

“Peter’s professional background, rich experience and natural leadership abilities are the perfect blend for transforming our shared vision for the city’s economic development into a reality,” said Alpharetta Council Member Dan Merkel. “His passion and commitment contribute greatly to the economic growth of our city.”

With over 15 years of experience, Tokar has led economic development projects for Alpharetta since 2006 which have resulted in over 4 million square feet of new business space, close to $3 billion in capital investment, creating over 3,500 new jobs and retaining over 7,000 jobs in the city.

Along with Alpharetta’s elected and staff leadership, he is leading recruitment, retention and expansion initiatives for the city. He has a master's in business administration from the Huizenga School of Business & Entrepreneurship at Nova Southeastern University.

DCI’s 40 Under 40 award was designed to discover the economic development profession’s rising stars.

“The people chosen by the selection committee represent a bright future for the economic development world,” said Andy Levine, president of DCI. “They are a new breed of results-driven place makers. We’re very pleased to see Peter Tokar among the winners.”

DCI officially announced the winners Wednesday evening during an awards ceremony during the International Economic Development Council Leadership Summit in Jacksonville and will feature an in-depth profile of each on its website throughout 2017.

For more information on DCI’s 40 Under 40 winners, please visit www.aboutdci.com/40under40.

Image via city of Alpharetta