All About The Select Greater Philadelphia Team

Thomas G. Morr, President and CEO
Laurie A. Actman, Chief Policy Development Officer
Kate Cohen, Business Development Specialist
Bryan Evans, Director of Pubic Relations & Publications
Claire Marrazzo Greenwood, Manager, Policy Development
Philip R. Hopkins, AICP, Vice President, Research
Meghan Kang, Research Analyst
Chandra Kilgore, Marketing Coordinator
Erin J. McKenna, Director, Investor and Community Relations
Jeanne R. O’Connor, Vice President and Chief Business Development Officer
Kelly Oreper, Executive Assistant to the President and CEO
Edward A. Piscopo, Director, Business Development
James F. Shannon, Chief Marketing Officer
Alice R. Solomon, Director, Business Development
Elizabeth J. Smith, Director, Interactive Marketing

Laurie A. Actman, Chief Policy Development Officer
Laurie Actman is the Chief Policy Development Officer at Select Greater Philadelphia. Ms. Actman is responsible for developing and implementing the economy-building agenda of the CEO Council for Growth, an elite group of business and nonprofit executives committed to tri-state economic development.

Ms. Actman brings over ten years experience with organizations focused on economic development, transportation, advocacy and public policy and communications. Since moving to Philadelphia she has developed and led efforts to improve the region's climate for economic development by working with the private sector and elected officials at the federal, state and local levels.

Ms. Actman, who worked at the Brookings Institution and Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Washington, DC for five years, graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a degree in political science and holds a Masters Degree in Regional Planning and Economic Development from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.

Kate Cohen, Business Development Specialist
Kate Cohen joined Select Greater Philadelphia as a Business Development Specialist in June 2007. She reports to the Chief Business Development Officer, and is responsible for supporting Select’s business development unit as they continue to attract domestic and foreign companies to locate and invest in the region.

Ms. Cohen works closely with leads, prospects and site consultants in providing Select’s client services, which includes supplying accurate data about the Greater Philadelphia region, connecting companies to service providers, facilitating site and incentive analysis and acting as a liaison between company representatives and economic developers in this tri-state area (Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania). She also assists with ongoing marketing missions, trade shows and conferences in which Select participates and helps identify potential geographic target markets based upon research and global investment trends.

Prior to joining Select, Ms. Cohen was a Leasing and Marketing Assistant for Liberty Property Trust, an international Real Estate Investment Trust. In this role, she was responsible for the coordination of all marketing and leasing activities for a 30-building, 2 million square foot portfolio of commercial buildings throughout the Valley Forge area. Ms. Cohen received her undergraduate degree in marketing business administration from Pennsylvania State University and is licensed in Pennsylvania as a real estate sales person.

Bryan Evans, Director of Pubic Relations & Publications
Bryan Evans joined Select Greater Philadelphia as Director of Public Relations & Publications in July 2008. He is responsible for the execution and production of all public relations strategy, media relations and publications created in support of the organization's mission to attract and retain business in the region.

Evans brings nearly twelve years of experience in public relations, public affairs and corporate communications to Select Greater Philadelphia. Evans is the former Director of Public Affairs for the Alliance for Downtown New York, where he was instrumental in improving the perception of Lower Manhattan following the tragic events of 9/11.

Most recently, Evans served as Account Supervisor for Diccicco Battista Communications in Horsham, PA, where he developed and executed integrated public relations programs for key healthcare, pharmaceutical, technology, and finance companies in the Greater Philadelphia region.

Evans attended school in New York City, where he received an MBA degree in Marketing and Computer Information Systems from Baruch College and a BA degree in Communications and Psychology from Hunter College.

Claire Marrazzo Greenwood, Manager, Policy Development
As Director of Policy Development for Select Greater Philadelphia, Claire Greenwood assists the Chief Policy Development Officer in developing and implementing the economy-building agenda of the CEO Council for Growth, an elite group of business and nonprofit executives committed to tri-state economic development.

Ms. Marrazzo Greenwood manages the implementation of economic development projects and issues that foster regional cooperation specifically related to two of the three product improvement agenda items – human capital, and venture capital/commercialization. Through her work Ms. Marrazzo Greenwood collaborates with other organizations working on local and regional human capital and talent solutions. In addition she is engaged in the CEO Council for Growth’s work to accelerate the region’s commercialization potential and improve the culture of entrepreneurship.

Ms. Marrazzo Greenwood joined Select from Citizens Bank, where she worked in the Human Resources department on Special Projects and supported the President and CEO in his role as the Chairman of the Board of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce. Previously, she was Deputy Director of Policy for the Katz for Mayor Campaign and a Project Manager for Greater Philadelphia First. Ms. Marrazzo Greenwood graduated from the University of Delaware with a BA in Biological Sciences and a minor in psychology and is currently completing a MS in Organizational Dynamics at the University of Pennsylvania.

Philip R. Hopkins, AICP, Vice President, Research
Prior to joining Select, Mr. Hopkins was a Managing Director in US Regional Services for Global Insight, a leading economic forecasting and consulting firm. He managed a group of economists who prepared forecasts for states and metropolitan areas, and was also responsible for directing the Regional Group’s special forecasting and consulting studies.

With over 25 years of experience in the performing economic studies, Mr. Hopkins' areas of expertise includes: regional economics, economic impact assessment, state and local tax policy studies, economic development, housing, benefit-cost analysis, and public education financing.

Mr. Hopkins was recently elected to his 4th term as member of the School Board for the School District of Haverford Township, and is currently Chairman of the Finance Committee. He is also the District's representative on the Boards of the Delaware County Intermediate Unit and the Delaware County Vocational Technical Schools.

Mr. Hopkins received a bachelor's degree in Economics from the University of Michigan and a Master's degree in City and Regional Planning from the Ohio State University. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners and the National Association of Business Economics.

Meghan Kang, Research Analyst
As the Research Analyst for Select Greater Philadelphia, Meghan Kang’s responsibilities include researching, analyzing and creating numerous datasets. She is also responsible for the creation and management of customized GIS maps.

Ms. Kang previously worked as Project Manager for Catholic Charities of San Jose and a Project Administrator for BRIDGE Housing, California’s largest affordable housing developer, coordinating the construction of innovate commercial space and affordable residential housing. Ms. Kang also worked as a Marketing Coordinator at Long & Foster Realtors developing proposals for large residential developments, as well as PolicyLink in Oakland, California researching Low Income Housing Tax Credits.

Ms. Kang holds a B.A. in Organizational Psychology from West Chester University of Pennsylvania and a M.A. in Urban Affairs and Public Policy (Urban Planning Concentration) from the University of Delaware.

Chandra Kilgore, Marketing Coordinator
As Marketing Coordinator for Select Greater Philadelphia, Chandra Kilgore assists and supports the Chief Marketing Officer. In this capacity, she coordinates meetings, events, database creation and implementation, as well as serves as departmental liaison for the marketing team.

Prior to her service at Select, Ms. Kilgore worked for Genesis II, Inc. as Administrative Director and earlier, as Executive Assistant. In these positions, she not only supported the Executive Director and the organization's finance unit, but she also spearheaded state mandated facility projects. Ms. Kilgore honed her event planning, meeting coordination, account team logistics, and a complement of computer software skills while employed at Barrington Consultants, Inc., a Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., based strategic communications firm.

Erin J. McKenna, Director, Investor and Community Relations
Erin McKenna joined Select Greater Philadelphia in May 2005. Ms. McKenna is responsible for raising funds from corporations, foundations, government and philanthropists to support Select Greater Philadelphia programs. In this role, she also develops a network of strong relationships with stakeholders to ensure the 11-county region acts with one unified, proactive voice to court and recruit companies that are looking to expand and relocate.

Ms. McKenna previously worked for Planned Parenthood Southeastern Pennsylvania, where she was responsible for the management of capital campaigns, planned giving, and major gifts. Prior to that role, Ms. McKenna served as Special Projects Coordinator for Philadelphia 2000, the host committee for the Republican National Convention. Ms. McKenna is responsible for managing the traditional Development function to promote strong relations with Select's investors and ensure that all systems and procedures are fully implemented and maintained.

Thomas G. Morr, President and CEO
Thomas G. Morr is the President and CEO of Select Greater Philadelphia, a regional economic development marketing organization created to promote the Greater Philadelphia region as a premier business location.

Prior to joining Select in June, 2005, he served as the Managing Partner of the Greater Washington Initiative an organization that markets the National Capital area. Mr. Morr has served as Senior Vice President of Marketing and Business Development for WEST*GROUP MANAGEMENT LLC, one of Washington’s leading real estate development companies. Among his responsibilities at WEST*GROUP, Mr. Morr served as the project manager for the development of WEST*QUEST Technology Park, a 30-acre park in Ann Arundel County, Maryland. He is past president of both the Washington Airports Task Force and the Washington Dulles Foreign Trade Zone.

Mr. Morr is an attorney and has served as Minority Counsel to the Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee, as well as the Information and Individual Rights Subcommittee of the House Government Operations Committee. He has been the Administrative Assistant to U.S. Representatives Ralph S. Regula and Frank R. Wolf. Mr. Morr practiced law with the firm of Michael F. Colley and Associates of Columbus, Ohio.

Mr. Morr is a member of the CEO Council for Growth, the board of directors for Select Greater Philadelphia. He also serves on the Executive Committee and Board of the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Board of the Smithsonian Institute National Air and Space Museum.

Mr. Morr is a past Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Virginia Tourism Corporation, an affiliate of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership. Mr. Morr has also Co-Chaired the Governor’s Commission on Development of the Virginia Travel and Tourism Industry.

Mr. Morr earned his Juris Doctor degree from American University in Washington, D.C and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Ohio University.

Jeanne R. O’Connor, Vice President and Chief Business Development Officer
As Vice President and Chief Business Development Officer, Jeanne O’Connor is responsible for the design and execution of all business attraction efforts to help companies locate to Greater Philadelphia. Ms. O’Connor was promoted to this role in December 2006 after spending three and a half years as Chief Development Officer where she was responsible for raising $16 million from corporations, foundations, individuals and government to fund and launch Select Greater Philadelphia.

Previously, Ms. O’Connor was with National Community Capital Association, a community development finance group where she was responsible for developing and implementing a national fundraising strategy as well as managing the communications function, product marketing, website and e-commerce. During her 14 years in the financial services industry, she served as Vice President in the Wachovia Institutional Trust Services group, where she held marketing and strategic planning roles. She was also a corporate lender and relationship manager with CoreStates Bank for clients in the financial services industry. Ms. O’Connor also worked with Philadelphia 2000, the host committee for the Republican National Convention, developing corporate sponsorships to support the event.

Ms. O'Connor has an M.B.A. in Business Administration from Temple University and a B.S. degree from the University of Pittsburgh.

Kelly Oreper, Executive Assistant to the President and CEO
Ms. Oreper serves as the Executive Assistant to the President and CEO of Select Greater Philadelphia. She is also responsible for the administrative needs of the CEO Council for Growth.

Ms. Oreper joined the organization after the merger between the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce and Greater Philadelphia First in February 2003. From 1992 to 2000 she worked at Greater Philadelphia First as Office Manager and Administrative Assistant. She then assumed the role of Office Manager/Human Resources with the asset-based charitable giving solutions organization GivingCapital, Inc. of Jenkintown, PA before returning to Greater Philadelphia First in April 2002.

Edward A. Piscopo, Director, Business Development
As Director of Business Development for Select Greater Philadelphia, Mr. Piscopo is responsible for attracting domestic and foreign companies to locate and invest in the region. He works closely with economic development organizations, site selectors, site consultants and decision makers within the 11-county Greater Philadelphia region.

Mr. Piscopo has more than 14 years experience within the commercial real estate industry working for such well respected real estate organizations including; Insignia/ESG, Trammell Crow Company and GVA Smith Mack. Prior to joining Select Mr. Piscopo was Director of Research at Liberty Property Trust, a international Real Estate Investment Trust. His primary responsibilities were to research and analyze demographic, economic and real estate information and assist the executive team with the company’s investment strategy for over 20 major markets and 70 million square feet of product that Liberty owned and managed.

Mr. Piscopo is a graduate of the New York Institute of Technology with a B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies.

James F. Shannon, Chief Marketing Officer
James F. Shannon, Chief Marketing Officer for Select Greater Philadelphia, brought nearly 20 years’ experience with Fortune 500 companies to this position. He develops marketing strategies that benefit the entire Greater Philadelphia region and drive national and international awareness of this area.

Earlier in his career, Mr. Shannon was Director of Advertising and Brand Management for Exelon Corporation, a utility services company with 15 million customers and annual sales of more than $14 billion. Before it merged with Exelon, Mr. Shannon acted as Director of Marketing and Sales for PECO Energy, where he helped move the company into deregulated, competitive markets. His re-branding program positioned the company as one of the most respected utilities in the nation and helped earned PECO the Edison Electric Institute prestigious Edison Award, the highest honor in the utility industry. Mr. Shannon has held various management positions with AT&T in New York and New Jersey. As General Manager, he turned the worst performing 2,500-employee business unit into one of the top producing operations in the company.

Mr. Shannon has a M.S. degree in Organizational Dynamics from the University of Pennsylvania, and a B.S. degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University, where he double-majored in marketing and psychology.

Elizabeth J. Smith, Director, Interactive Marketing
Elizabeth J. Smith is responsible for the creative development, ongoing maintenance and content management of the Select Greater Philadelphia web site. Ms. Smith currently led the redesign of the Select Web site, www.selectgreaterphiladelphia.com, an essential tool for professionals making decisions on where companies locate or expand.

Ms. Smith was the Internet Specialist for Exelon Corporation, one of the largest utility services companies in the nation, before joining Select Greater Philadelphia. Responsible for managing the entire Corporate Internet and Intranet content, Ms. Smith also served as the primary business liaison with the Exelon Information Technology Group. At Exelon, Ms. Smith led the business initiative of merging two corporate web sites (PECO Energy, Philadelphia, PA and ComEd, Chicago, IL) and had responsibility for establishing the first Web Governance Committee as well as overseeing an Intranet redesign. Preceding her Internet Specialist position in Exelon Corporate Communications, Ms. Smith worked in its Marketing Department and has more than 18 years of experience in Marketing Communications.

A board member of the Network of Women in Computer Technology, Ms. Smith is a graduate of Millersville University with a B.S. in Communications and Public Relations.

Alice R. Solomon, Director Business Development
Alice Solomon, Director of Business Development is responsible for promoting the Greater Philadelphia Region and attracting foreign and domestic businesses to locate in the region. She works closely with economic development organizations, site selectors, consultants and government leaders within the 11 county Greater Philadelphia region.

Before joining Select Greater Philadelphia, Ms. Solomon was Director of Business Development for a premier global employee assistance program headquartered in Toronto, Ontario where she was responsible for the organization’s sales and marketing effort and expansion into the US marketplace. With over 17 years of experience, Ms. Solomon has provided management and workforce consultation to major corporations headquartered locally, nationally and internationally. Her expertise spans all industry sectors including retail, manufacturing, pharmaceutical, financial, professional, health and education.

Ms. Solomon received her undergraduate degree in Health and Human Development from Pennsylvania State University and Masters Degree in Social Service Management from Bryn Mawr College.