Barry Matherly was named CEO and President of Detroit’s brand new regional economic development organization, the Detroit Regional Partnership, in 2019. Matherly is responsible for designing the non-profit organization from the ground up, developing regional partnerships, and garnering community support in order to stimulate the economy throughout Southeast Michigan. In addition, Matherly is keeping the organization laser focused on marketing the opportunities to out-of-state and international companies to attract investments and jobs to the 11-county region.
For the past 25 years, Matherly has been gaining leadership experience and driving initiatives on a city, county, regional, and university level. He served as the past Chair of the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), the largest economic development association in the world. He is also a member of its Economic Development Research Partners thinktank. He currently serves on the Executive Board of the Economic Development Institute at the University of Oklahoma and is an institute instructor.
Matherly completed his bachelor’s degree at James Madison University and holds a master’s degree from Virginia Tech University. He is also a graduate of the Economic Development Institute at the University of Oklahoma and a recipient of the Robert B. Cassell Leadership Award.
Past Experience & Education
- President and CEO, Greater Richmond Partnership
- Management, Fortune 500 Company
- Internship, United States Department of Commerce
- Bachelor’s Degree, James Madison University
- Master’s Degree, Virginia Tech University
- Economic Development Institute Graduate, University of Oklahoma
Notable Achievements & Community Involvement
- Executive Board, Economic Development Institute, University of Oklahoma
- Past Chairman of the Board, International Economic Development Council (IEDC)
- Instructor, Economic Development Institute, University of Oklahoma
- Designated as a Fellow Member and Honorary Life Member by IEDC
- Senior Fellow of the American Leadership Forum
- Robert B. Cassell Leadership Award Winner
- Virginia Tech School of Public and International Affairs, Alumni Hall of Fame 2019
- Named one of the 40 Leaders Under 40 (2002) by the Charlotte Business Journal
- Recognized as a North Carolina Main Street Champion
