FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Carli Smith
Director of Communications
c.smith@goed.nv.gov 775.684.9903
August 19, 2024
CARSON CITY, Nev. – Bob Potts, one of the founding members of Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED), today announced his retirement, which was effective August 16th.
Potts, an economist, joined GOED when it was created by former Governor Brian Sandoval in 2011. He was GOED’s first research director, ascending to the deputy director position in 2019. For more than a decade, Potts played a key role in the dramatic transformation of Nevada’s economy and built GOED into one of the most prestigious and effective agencies in the state.
Since joining the agency Potts has had a hand in the attraction or expansion of more than 780 companies, 82,000 jobs, and nearly $24.5 billion dollars of investment into Nevada. These include involvement in the original Tesla Gigafactory project, and more recently he played a key lead in the Tesla semitruck and battery manufacturing operation, and the Redwood recycling and critical elements processing facilities in Northern Nevada.
“I loved coming to work every day at GOED and every day was different,” Potts said. “I’m so proud to have been part of a team that has made a difference in our state. We helped put the state on a glide path to attracting new industries, creating new career paths, and perhaps most importantly helping to ensure our state weathers the next economic downturn.”
Through his work, Potts helped broaden Nevada’s economy which resulted in diversification to complement the state’s historic industries. For several years, Potts convened regular meetings with the state’s economic leaders, universities, economic development authorities, political and community leaders, and industry. As a key advisor to multiple governors, he provided a regular snapshot of the state of the economy, preparing timely data points to help inform the decision-making process.
“Bob has been an invaluable asset to Nevada’s economic development efforts. His commitment and visionary leadership have been instrumental in advancing GOED’s mission across Nevada,” said Tom Burns, executive director. “Throughout the years, his strategic vision and tireless efforts helped land billion-dollar investments and created opportunities for countless Nevadans. He will be truly missed here at GOED, but we celebrate his remarkable contributions and wish him all the best in his well-deserved retirement.”
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About the Governor’s Office of Economic Development
Created during the 2011 session of the Nevada Legislature, the Governor’s Office of Economic Development is the result of a collaborative effort between the Nevada Legislature and the Governor’s Office to restructure economic development in the state. GOED’s role is to promote a robust, diversified and prosperous economy in Nevada, to stimulate business expansion and retention, encourage entrepreneurial enterprise, attract new businesses and facilitate community development.