Ryan Purvis, a professional engineer and current resident of Bryan County, has been named as the finalist for the chief executive officer’s position with the Development Authority of Bryan County. The announcement was made today by Jon Seagraves, chairman of the DABC.
“Bryan County has been extremely successful in terms of new and existing industries expanding here,” according to Seagraves. “Ryan has the skill sets and knowledge to be a leader in working with our current employers to address their infrastructure needs and retain them in the county. He also has the entrepreneur mindset on how our area can continue to attract new businesses that fit specific criteria established by the DABC for prospects we are interested in locating here.”
Purvis is currently a financial leader for Northwestern Mutual, a Fortune 100 company specializing in risk management and investments. His previous positions include vice president, engineering and construction, Continental Heavy Civil Corp.; and chief engineer and vice president of East Coast Industrial and Crane Services, Inc. Purvis also served as project manager and structural engineer at Moffatt and Nichol Engineering.
“My family has been a part of the coastal Georgia region for many years,” Purvis said. “I look forward to joining the DABC team and engaging with existing businesses to understand their needs to continue their success in Bryan County. At the same time, I look forward to working with economic development leaders in the region and at the state level to continue to promote our area as an excellent place to do business.”
Purvis is a graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology with a Master of Science in structural engineering. While earning his degrees, he received the Graduate Student Leadership Award and Impact Scholarship. He currently serves on the Georgia Tech Savannah Advisory Board; Godesign, Inc. Board; Buena Vista Sports Academy Pastoral Advisory Board; and Victorious Family Prayer and Advisory Team.
Purvis and his wife Christy have two children.
Other professionals who are an integral part of the DABC team include Zachery Dykes, project manager, and Myra Sims, office manager. Sean Register has served as the interim chief executive officer since the end of 2023.
The DABC, with offices in Pembroke and Richmond Hill, Georgia, delivers economic development services for the county as a whole. The chief executive officer, which is a full-time position, is responsible to the board of directors of the DABC and charged with providing leadership, long-term visioning, strategic planning and implementing best economic development practices in terms of business recruitment, retaining existing businesses, growing the tax base, and job opportunities.
The DABC board is expected to approve Purvis as the new leader of the economic development organization at a public meeting scheduled for September 16, 2024. Georgia law requires Purvis’ resume and application be open for review by the public for 14 days before the development authority can vote to employ him as the chief executive officer. If approved, his first day in the office will be Thursday, September 19, 2024.
The Chason Group, an executive search firm specializing in economic development organizations, chambers of commerce, foundations, and other nonprofit groups, assisted the development authority with the process.