Chris Camacho Biography

As Executive Vice President, Chris Camacho oversees GPEC's business development efforts with particular expertise in renewable energy, emerging technology, international economic development and tax policy. He manages the domestic and international strategies in attracting new industry to the market. His international work has led him around the globe to South America, Western Europe, Canada and China. Chris has been instrumental is the design of the Renewable Energy Tax Credit Program which has induced several renewable energy companies to make investments in Arizona. In addition, he has directly assisted more than 70 companies in their expansions or relocation to Greater Phoenix. He has leadership roles with several of GPEC’s strategic councils including the International Leadership Council, Community Building Consortium, Economic Development Directors Team and Healthcare Council. Chris has extensive relationships with many corporation site selection firms and corporate real estate executives. Chris also serves as President Elect of the Arizona Association of Economic Development, the statewide association of economic development practitioners.

Camacho served as president & CEO of the Greater Yuma Economic Development Corporation (GYEDC) from 2006-2008. During his tenure, GYEDC helped 35 companies and 3,500 jobs locate in Greater Yuma. Chris assisted with corporate expansions including Johnson Controls Inc., Allstate Insurance, General Motors Corp., Northwestern Industries, Advanced Call Center Technologies and Global Contact Services among others. The various projects resulted in more than $350M of capital investment in the region. Viewed as a young, dynamic leader, Chris was recognized as the Chamber of Commerce Leader of the Year in 2007. In 2006, Chris served on the Arizona Global Network board which was developed to create a foreign direct investment platform for the State of Arizona. He also developed Yuma’s first Business Retention and Expansion Program to support the local manufacturing and food technology sector. Chris was the visionary around the Bi-National Economic Development team which developed cross border marketing and sales techniques in conjunction with San Luis Rio Colorado, Mexico. In 2007, Chris was asked to participate in the Department of Defense Leadership Program which included an ambassador-style visit to South America countries including Cuba, Brazil, Honduras and Columbia.

Chris joined the Greater Yuma Economic Development Corporation as a Business Development Project Manager in 2004. He managed the day-to-day client management function for the organization. Chris developed a keen aptitude around Arizona tax policy and built thorough corporate income tax and property tax pro formas for clients interested in Arizona. Chris developed a marketing campaign to target California based small to medium sized enterprises. Yuma was effective in attractive several California manufacturing and service firms. In 2005, he increased prospect activity by 60% and was responsible for the largest single private sector investment in Yuma County history, the General Motors’ test track facility.

Camacho earned an undergraduate degree in psychology and business administration as well as a master’s degree in public administration and policy from Southern Illinois University.