Gary Alexander “Alex” Cooley has been selected to serve as the next Chief Economic Development Officer for the City of Palm Springs.
Cooley’s selection follows a comprehensive and rigorous recruitment and evaluation process that was initiated and led primarily by former City Manager Scott Stiles. Interim City Manager Jim Vanderpool has carried the process forward, maintaining the continuity and consistency necessary to bring the effort to completion. Cooley will begin his new position in Palm Springs on Monday, Dec. 7.
Cooley, an accomplished economic development professional with extensive experience in business attraction, retention, strategic planning and workforce development, has served for the past four years as Director of Business Development for Alexandria, Virginia’s Economic Development Partnership.
Prior to Alexandria, he served as Director of Economic Development in Dallas College, Texas and as an economic development administrator for Northern Virginia Community College in Fairfax, Virginia.
In Alexandria, Cooley leads business recruitment, retention, and expansion initiatives for a city of approximately 160,000 residents. His responsibilities include attracting new investment, supporting existing businesses, advancing corporate site selection opportunities, building strategic partnerships, and leveraging business intelligence to drive economic growth.
Cooley also helped develop ALX Forward, Alexandria’s economic development roadmap, through a comprehensive strategic planning and community engagement process involving businesses, residents and public-sector stakeholders. That experience will be particularly valuable as Palm Springs implements its recently completed Economic Development Strategic Plan.
“Alex’s extensive economic development experience, collaborative approach and vision for sustainable growth make him an excellent addition to our executive leadership team,” said Interim City Manager Jim Vanderpool. “We look forward to working with Alex as we build a stronger, more vibrant and economically resilient future while at the same time preserving the unique character that makes Palm Springs such a special place to live, work and do business.”
As Chief Economic Development Officer, Cooley will play a key role in advancing Palm Springs’ long-term economic vision by aligning business development initiatives with the City’s Convention Center Expansion, Airport Master Plan, and broader Economic Development Roadmap. His focus will be on strengthening established industries, attracting new investment, expanding business opportunities and positioning Palm Springs for continued growth in emerging sectors, including technology, sustainability and the creative economy. Through strategic partnerships, business engagement, and data-driven decision-making, Cooley will help translate these major planning initiatives into meaningful economic opportunities, new jobs and a stronger, more diversified local economy.
“I am excited by the opportunity to build on the City’s existing economic strengths while supporting diversification, attracting new investment and creating opportunities for local businesses and residents,” said Cooley. “I believe successful economic development starts with listening, building relationships, and bringing the community together around a shared vision for the future. I look forward to engaging with the business community in this important work.”
Cooley holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and is a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD), a professional designation awarded by the International Economic Development Council. He has also served on the board of directors of the Council for Community and Economic Research and contributed to the publication Workforce Development: Guidelines for Community College Professionals.
“Alex brings the experience, strategic perspective, and collaborative leadership we need as Palm Springs enters a new chapter in its economic development efforts,” said Mayor Naomi Soto. “His ability to build strong partnerships and connect business opportunities with community priorities will be a tremendous asset to Palm Springs.”
