Arthur Jackson receives economic development 40 under 40 award

Arthur Jackson, senior vice president of economic development for the Tulsa Regional Chamber, has been named a 2021 Economic Development 40 Under 40 Award recipient by Development Counsellors International (DCI) and Jorgenson Consulting. The biennial award program recognizes rising stars in the economic development industry.

“Arthur has had great success as an economic development professional, and we at the Chamber are elated to see him receive this well-deserved recognition,” says Mike Neal, president and CEO of the Tulsa Regional Chamber. “It’s an honor to work alongside some of the best and brightest talent in the economic development profession, and Arthur has already shown himself to be a tremendous leader for our organization and for furthering northeast Oklahoma’s economic prosperity.”

Jackson was hired by the Tulsa Regional Chamber earlier this year to lead Tulsa’s Future, the Chamber-led public-private regional economic development partnership. Jackson came to Tulsa from Austin, Texas, having most recently served as senior director of economic development for the Austin Chamber of Commerce. The award was presented Tuesday night at a virtual reception held in conjunction with the International Economic Development Council Leadership Summit.

“As I take this next journey in my economic development career, it’s special to be able to celebrate this incredible honor with my new colleagues at the Tulsa Regional Chamber and the Tulsa community,” says Jackson. “I’m grateful to be recognized alongside a number of my economic development peers, and I thank DCI and Jorgenson Consulting for this prestigious award.”

DCI is a New York-based integrated marketing firm that works with economic development and travel organizations globally. Jorgenson Consulting is a leading national executive search firm serving organizations in the nonprofit, economic and community development industries. An independent selection committee of six economic development professionals and site selection consultants evaluated a record-number of 200-plus nominees for this year’s awards.

“This past year has demonstrated the importance of economic development in building and sustaining resilient communities,” says Julie Curtin, president of DCI’s economic development practice. “I’m especially impressed by the diverse perspectives and skillsets of this year’s winners as they lead communities to prioritize new ways of thinking, building inclusive and equitable economies, and bringing an attitude of fresh new ideas to the challenges in the industry. The economic development future is bright with these young leaders.”