The LEAP Committee presents its annual discussion on the current and future outlook of New Mexico's economy. This virtual event features Chad Matheson,  Vice President of Economic Competitiveness at Albuquerque Regional Economic Alliance (AREA), formerly known as Albuquerque Economic Development (AED).

Chad Matheson
Vice President of Economic Competitiveness
Albuquerque Regional Economic Alliance (AREA)

First Wednesday Member Forum
What's on the Horizon for New Mexico: An Economic Update
Wednesday, November 2nd
8:30 am - 9:00 am:  Login
9:00 am - 10:30 am:  Presentation and Q & A
Guest Speaker: Chad Matheson,  VP of Economic Competitiveness at AREA

Virtual presentation via ZOOM
Register in Advance: 
https://gaar.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcvceCgrz0iGNz9z8ECMP_bwv8-C3JjZWiK 
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.

Chad Matheson
Chad Matheson serves the Albuquerque Regional Economic Alliance (AREA) as the Vice President for Economic Competitiveness. In this role, he ensures that AREA is successful in the execution of its strategic plan by leading critical initiatives to grow the region’s competitive position.

As a champion of new approaches to economic and community development, Chad’s work complements the full scope of economic strategy. He is an established thought leader in economic development and brings a depth of knowledge within regional economic trends and opportunity identification. He is an experienced researcher and has successfully worked with economic development organizations in building toward achieving more dynamic and prosperous regional economies.

Most recently, he led business intelligence for the Greater Memphis Chamber of Commerce. Here, he successfully launched the Center for Economic Competitiveness. In this capacity, he worked with senior staff and business executives to co-create long-term job creation and talent development strategies. In addition, Chad was the primary architect behind the People Powered Prosperity regional benchmark, a unique look at the performance of the regional economy of Greater Memphis across economic foundations, economic enablers, and economic outcomes. This benchmark was an outcome of the 2021 Brookings Institution’s “Inclusive Economic Indicators Lab.”

Prior to joining the Greater Memphis Chamber, he directed business intelligence efforts for Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance in Norfolk, Virginia. Here, he served as a key member of the strategy team and was responsible for the creation and implementation of regional growth strategies.

Chad’s deep experience with innovative research and commitment to partner engagement makes certain that AREA is on the cutting edge of competitive market and industry analyses. He provides thoughtful and engaging leadership in a manner that seeks to connect department functions, improves organizational performance, and works to build a bright economic outlook of growth and opportunity.

Chad holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, and joined the Greater Albuquerque community in February 2021. He is a proud father of two and is joined in Albuquerque by his wife, Meghan, and two daughters Phoebe and Cheyenne.