County hires new director of existing business

George N. Harben of Paducah, KY has been named director of existing business for Prince William County’s Department of Economic Development, according to a press release from the department.
In his new position, Harben will promote the expansion and retention of businesses in the county. His salary is $92,000.22, according to the department of economic development.
Harben said, “The robust and vibrant existing business community has been a key driver of the incredible growth that Prince William County has experienced over the course of the last decade. Since the inception of the county’s department of economic development, more than 35 percent of the projects worked by the department, and nearly 30 percent of the new jobs announced via those projects, were created by the expansion of existing businesses within the county.”
The new director fills the position left open by the retirement of Mary Eisesser, who held the job since 1997. He began his new job June 27.
Harben has more than 20 years’ experience in economic development, and was selected after an extensive candidate search, according to the county.
Harben was vice president of the Greater Paducah Economic Development Council before coming here. He previously managed the South Carolina Department of Commerce Research Division and was director of research for Virginia Economic Development Partnership.
The new employee holds bachelor of arts and master of science degrees from Texas Christian University. In 1997, he earned the Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) designation from the International Economic Development Council. In 2003, he earned the Council For Community and Economic Research (formerly ACCRA) Certified Community Researcher (CCR) designation.
Harben, his wife, Sandy, and children, James and Peggy, are in the process of relocating to the county from Paducah.