photo by: City of Lawrence

Susie Carson was announced as the City of Lawrence's new director of economic development Tuesday afternoon.

The City of Lawrence has hired a Johnson County chamber of commerce executive, Susie Carson, to serve as its next director of economic development.

Carson’s hiring was announced in a city news release on Tuesday. She has more than 15 years of economic development and chamber of commerce leadership experience. In her most recent role, she served as vice president of membership and sponsorship investments at the Olathe Chamber of Commerce. During her tenure at the Olathe chamber, she partnered with the City of Olathe on business expansion efforts and also worked with other investors and stakeholders to build support for growth in Olathe.

Prior to her position with the Olathe chamber, Carson was the executive director of the chamber of commerce in the south-central Kansas city of El Dorado, leading initiatives that supported small business development, downtown revitalization and entrepreneurship.

“Susie brings a collaborative approach, deep experience, and a strong commitment to community-centered economic development,” Assistant City Manager Brandon McGuire said in the release. “We are excited to welcome her to Lawrence and look forward to the leadership she will bring as we continue building a strong, resilient local economy.”

Carson will start in the new role on Jan. 5. Her hiring fills a position that has been left open since the retirement of former economic development director Britt Crum-Cano last year.