Economic development director announces resignation

State Economic Development Director Joe Driskill announced Dec. 10 that he will resign from his office effective Jan.1 to become executive director of the Missouri Technology Corporation.

Driskill has been director of the Department of Economic Development since April 1993 and is the longest-serving member of Gov. Holden's cabinet. Driskill was named director by the late Gov. Mel Carnahan and has served as a part of Holden's administration since 2001.

"After finishing my 10th year in this position, I advised Gov. Holden late last summer that I had decided it was time for me to pursue other career opportunities. I made the governor aware of my desire so that he would have time to find a replacement and ensure a smooth transition," Driskill said in a news release. "I am honored to have had the opportunity to serve as part of Gov. Holden's administration, but I think I can accomplish more for our state in another role."

The Missouri Technology Corporation is a private, not-for-profit corporation chartered by state law and governed by a 15-member board. Its purpose is to promote the competitiveness of businesses by helping to increase research and development at Missouri universities, streamline the process of transferring and commercializing new ideas, and promote business access to cutting-edge technologies that will promote innovation and growth.

During Driskill's tenure at the Department of Economic Development, Missouri has experienced sustained growth in its economy. During the past decade, the number of jobs in Missouri increased by 265,000 (11 percent), the number of businesses increased by 29,931 (16 percent), and the per capita income of Missourians climbed by 43 percent.

Over the past decade, the measure of all goods and services produced in the state, the Gross State Product, grew by more than $40 billion (31 percent), and exports by Missouri companies increased by $1 billion (19 percent).

"I am very proud of the growth of jobs, businesses and income that has occurred in our state the past 10 years," said Driskill. "This growth is a reflection on Missouri's strong business climate, the education and skills of our workers, and the quality of life in our communities. I believe our department has had a positive impact on making Missouri a better place to live, work and do business."

During his tenure, Driskill:

played a key role in efforts to retain the Ford Hazelwood Assembly Plant in St. Louis and the American Airlines Overhaul Base in Kansas City;

worked to attract or expand hundreds of companies and thousands of Missouri jobs in all parts of Missouri such as: MasterCard International, Pfizer and Citi Mortgage in the St. Louis area; the Ford Claycomo Assembly Plant and Harley Davidson in Kansas City; Bank One in Springfield; Procter and Gamble, Briggs and Stratton and Arvin-Meritor in southeast Missouri; Phoenix Scientific and Boehringer Ingelheim in northwest Missouri; General Mills in northeast Missouri; and the location of major distribution centers for Wal-Mart and Dollar General Stores around the state;

helped consolidate the state's many employment and job training services into one agency (Division of Workforce Development) to provide more streamlined services to workers and employers, making Missouri one of only a few states with workforce and economic development in the same department;

wrote and implemented the state's first strategic plan for economic development;

implemented a "targeted industry" strategy to help develop company and job opportunities in the emerging industry clusters plant and life sciences; advanced manufacturing; and information technology;

administered millions of dollars in federal disaster aid money to assist flood victims of the 1993 and 1995 floods. The department's response plan was adopted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency as a model for other states to follow;

helped fund major urban redevelopment projects in partnership with the Missouri Development Finance Board, such as Union Station and the Center for Performing Arts in Kansas City; and the Convention Center Hotel, Cupples Station, and the Cortex Plan in St. Louis; Jordan Valley Park in Springfield; and the Branson Convention Center;

led state negotiations with the St. Louis Cardinals to keep the team in Missouri and help bring about a new stadium and Ballpark Village with no public funding for the ballpark;

established a regional approach to economic development by forming regional teams to improve access to state development services; and

improved partnerships between business and education with programs like the Research Alliance of Missouri where research directors of state universities are collaborating to develop and coordinate research efforts.

Driskill, a native of Ripley County and later a resident of Poplar Bluff, was elected to six terms in the Missouri House of Representatives before his appointment to head the department. During his tenure in the House, he chaired the commerce committee and passed a number of bills related to economic development and job creation.

Driskill, his wife, Janice, and two children, Hope and Aaron, reside in Jefferson City.