Veteran economic development leader Marty Wieder has been named as the new executive director of the Arlington Economic Development Corp. He will begin his new post on Feb. 19.

“Marty’s credentials are strong as it relates to working in the economic development world in North Texas. He knows the business leaders, the brokers, the people who get things done. He’s passionate about our community and its history and he is prepared to help us write future chapters in our history books,” Arlington City Manager Trey Yelverton said in a statement.

Wieder takes over following the departure of the Arlington Economic Development Corp.’s first executive director, Broderick Green, who recently went to work for the Greater Washington Partnership.

The AEDC is a nonprofit organization that aims to create a globally connected, innovative community that fosters equitable growth for all.

It recruits business and industry, helps local companies grow, and generates quality job opportunities throughout the Arlington metropolitan area. The organization also seeks to attract and retain community partners, businesses, and workforce members to invest and make their home in Arlington, the city said.

Experienced economic development professional with ‘deep roots in Arlington’

Wieder is a two-time graduate of The University of Texas at Arlington and has over 30 years of economic development experience, most recently serving as the city of Grand Prairie’s economic development director.

The city of Arlington said that Wieder played a key role in planning, activating, and developing the 172-acre EpicCentral project, 135+ acres of mixed-use property at Interstate 30 and Belt Line Road, known as the “Gateway at Grand Prairie,” as well as projects with CarParts.com and Bell Flight, among others.

Wieder’s economic development career started in 1989 at the Arlington Chamber of Commerce, where he worked on the retention of the General Motors Plant and the first meetings and eventual campaign to build a new ballpark (now known as Choctaw Stadium) for the Texas Rangers Major League Baseball club.

“The opportunity to come back to my ‘hometown’ and work to further Arlington’s economic future again is very exciting,” Wieder said in a statement. “I’ll begin by asking key stakeholders to share their thoughts and ideas about the AEDC and Arlington’s economy. I believe that people support what they help create — we really do want to establish a sustainable culture that builds on existing relationships and fosters new ones. Relationships are the key to quality economic development.”

He has held leadership positions with several organizations in the North Texas region, including the city of Colleyville, the city of North Richland Hills, and working for the Honorable Tom Vandergriff, former U.S. Congressman of the 26th District of Texas and former Arlington mayor, among others.

Wieder also serves with numerous industry organizations, including the International Economic Development Council, American Institute of Certified Planners, American Planning Association, International Council of Shopping Centers and Urban Land Institute.

“Marty is an economic development professional with deep roots in Arlington, Tarrant County and North Texas who will add value to this organization on day one,” Michael Jacobson, the AEDC board president and CEO of the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce, said in a statement. “He has the knowledge, the capacity and the skillset to hit the ground running, build a strong economic development team and deliver on the promise we have with the citizens of Arlington to foster a vibrant and prosperous economy.”

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