The team

Barry Broome serves as the first President & CEO of the Greater Sacramento Economic Council. Barry is responsible for leading community-driven efforts to attract, grow and scale new businesses; develop advanced industries and guide new job-creation strategies throughout the six-county region. In his role, he has established the first public/private partnership economic development organization led by chief executive officers in California. The organization is led by 50+ CEOs and 22 communities in the Greater Sacramento region.

Previously, Barry was the President & CEO of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC) where he delivered more than 50,000 jobs and 250 company locates into the Phoenix region. Under his leadership, for six out of the ten years, GPEC was named one of the top economic organizations in North America by Site Selection Magazine. In 2013, he was also named Arizona Economic Developer of the Year, Arizona Real Estate Executive of the Year and received the Phoenix Black Chamber of Commerce award.

Prior to Arizona, Barry was the CEO of Southwest Michigan First (SMF), where he built an organization from the ground up, which was later listed in the top 20 companies in North America by Site Selection Magazine. In 2006, SMF was named one of the fast 50 companies in Inc. Magazine— the first nonprofit to have that honor. Barry built and co-developed venture funds, angel networks, and 31 new ventures – primarily in the life science space in the Kalamazoo region. Barry was named Michigan Economic Developer of the Year in 2001. Preceding Michigan, Barry led the economic development in Toledo, Ohio. There, he completed the largest industrial deal in the history of the United States, Project Jeep, which was built on 450 acres of brownfields in the North Central Toledo area.

Barry has been featured and interviewed for his work in global and national media outlets including the Los Angeles Times, Bloomberg, Forbes and CNBC, among other publications. In addition, he was the keynote speaker at Arizona State University’s 2009 graduation and has been a guest lecturer at the University of Chicago, Notre Dame, Arizona State University, University of Arizona, Kalamazoo College and Western Michigan University.

Brittany has been with the Greater Sacramento Economic Council since its 2015 inception. She serves as the Chief Performance Officer reporting directly to the President & CEO. She is responsible for the development of company-wide international operations, organizational alignment and processes. She ensures that the organizations goals are realistic in the business climate; that they are aligned with the mission and vision of the company and that they will be beneficial to the community, investors and employees.

Prior to GSEC, Brittany worked for a full-service public relations agency, focusing most heavily on celebrity and media placement and brand development. At CLD, she was a Celebrity Placement Specialist garnering top-tier, A-list celebrity placements. She built strong relationships that yielded strong results (ie: red carpets, events, paparazzi shots of everyday outings) as well as through traditional media shoots, digital media and social media.

She graduated from the University of Arizona with a bachelor’s in communications and business administration. She is also an active volunteer with the Salvation Army. She participates in different programs such as Meals on Wheels, Adopt a Family and Christmas Angels. She enjoys spending time with her husband, two daughters, Charli and Leni and English bulldog, Harper.

Troels serves as the Executive Vice President, leading Business Development, Marketing, Research and Strategy for the Greater Sacramento Economic Council. A native of Denmark but now a true believer in the California Dream, he lives in Sacramento with his wife Christy and their two rambunctious boys.

An accomplished economic development executive, Troels has personally been involved in the creation of over 13,000 jobs throughout his career. Prior to joining the Greater Sacramento Economic Council, he led tradable sector economic development activities for the City of Portland, Oregon. During his tenure, he strategically repositioned his team to serve the City of Portland’s key industry clusters with a strong inclusion lens and reenergized the city’s international trade efforts. Major wins included the expansions of Adidas’ and Daimler Trucks’ North American Headquarters and new locations of Genentech, Amazon Web Services and Square. All told, these and other projects supported the creation of 4,400 net new jobs for the city and hundreds of millions in new capital investment. Troels was also instrumental in serving Portland businesses during the pandemic, leading several major emergency grant and loan programs, advising key leaders on recovery planning and co-creating the statewide Small Business Stabilization Fund in partnership with the Oregon Community Foundation.

Prior to his time in Portland, Troels spent nine years in Atlanta, first with Partnership Gwinnett and then leading the Metro Atlanta Chamber’s work in developing that region’s globally competitive supply chain and automotive ecosystems. Together with executives from Porsche, AT&T, Panasonic, Cox Automotive and Georgia Tech he founded a regional automotive technology consortium to bring R&D assets to Metro Atlanta. He also launched a major initiative in partnership with 25 major corporations to spotlight Atlanta’s supply chain technology ecosystem and sourced projects that led to the creation of over 2,500 jobs in the region.

Before he found his true calling in economic development, Troels started out in the community development space, building his nonprofit management and accounting skills at one of New York City’s largest community-based nonprofits, CAMBA. He is particularly passionate about early childhood nutrition and currently serves as a Board Member for the Urban School Food Alliance, a coalition of the largest school districts in the United States working together to improve school food for our nation’s children.

Troels is a proud alum of the University of Copenhagen with a BA in Political Science and holds two master’s degrees: a Master of Public Administration from Baruch College and a Master’s in City and Regional Planning from Georgia Tech. The latter earned him the prestigious Ed McClure Award from the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning, given to the top Master’s student paper in North America each year.

Matthew Miller, CEcD, is an economic development executive with over 16 years of experience in research, strategy, and leadership roles. He most recently served as the Principal for Economic Development for UniSource Energy Corporation, leading business development strategic planning efforts for a holding company of vertically-integrated investor-owned electric and natural gas utilities in Northern and Southern Arizona. He spearheaded 5X growth in the electric utility pipeline, systematized risk analysis and project management of new business opportunities, and led efforts on corporate strategy related to growth, the new commercial customer experience, and community impact.

Prior to his time at UniSource Energy Corporation, Miller served as the Chief Economist and Senior Vice President of Research and Strategy at the Greater Sacramento Economic Council, and in executive roles at Greater Portland Inc and the Greater Phoenix Economic Council.

Miller has served in board and advisory leadership roles for the Arizona Association for Economic Development, the Oregon Economic Development Association, the City of Portland Council of Economic Advisors, the Portland Economic Investment Corporation, and was appointed to the Wildfire Economic Recovery Council by Oregon Governor Kate Brown.

In 2020, Miller earned the designation of Certified Economic Developer from the International Economic Development Council and was named by Development Counselors International as a National 40 Under 40 Leader in Economic Development.

Danea Thomas is excited to serve the mission of Greater Sacramento Economic Council as the Director of Finance.

Danea joined GSEC in December of 2019 with over 15 years of experience in accounting, human resources and general business management. She has a passion for community and service, focusing her career on improving the financial health and wellness of various nonprofit and mission-based organizations in the Greater Sacramento area.

Danea spends her free time reading science fiction novels, keeping her large Koi fish pond and searching for the best local margarita.

Isabel serves as the Investor Engagement Coordinator for the Greater Sacramento Economic Council working alongside the Community Engagement and Events Manager to support external events and meetings. Originally from Portland, Oregon Isabel now finds themselves in Sacramento and is eager to explore the region’s opportunities whilst also supporting its growth.

Isabel received a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Boise State University and was an active member of the Boise State Blue Thunder Marching Band. During this time they also gained invaluable non-profit experience at the International Rescue Committee as the ESL Intern, supporting persons and families affected by humanitarian crises. It is here that Isabel discovered a passion for community empowerment and wellbeing.

Prior to their role at GSEC, Isabel found themselves getting acquainted with our neighbors across the pond in Bedford, England. They worked with Bedford Girls’ School, an Independent future focused Girls School, as the Careers and Sixth Form Administrator. Their role included administration support to both the Head of Careers and Director of Sixth Form while also managing all Sixth Form external events and workshops. Now, Isabel looks forward to using their experience to turn a new page and focus on a career in Event Coordination.

In their free time, Isabel loves to spend time outdoors with their partner and nosy labrador Chance, cooking with a good cider in hand, rewatching comfort shows and exploring different cities!

As an Events & Engagement Coordinator for the Greater Sacramento Economic Council, Danish supports the planning and coordination of events that strengthen community ties and advance the organization’s mission.

With extensive experience in event design and management, Danish has played a key role in curating impactful events for diverse audiences. At DS Events, they planned and executed cultural celebrations, weddings, and festive gatherings, integrating modern elements into traditional designs to deliver memorable experiences. At Gill Decor, Danish honed their expertise in décor strategy, venue setup, and client collaboration, ensuring each event reflected the client’s vision.

Danish is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Business Analytics at Sacramento State. A Northern California native, Danish is passionate about using their event planning skills to highlight what the region has to offer and showcase the diverse spirit of the Greater Sacramento area. Their commitment to delivering memorable experiences reflects a deep belief in the power of events to bring people together and inspire positive change.

In his free time, Danish enjoys being outdoors, discovering local attractions, and exploring the food scene in the region.

As the Vice President of Marketing & Communications at the Greater Sacramento Economic Council (GSEC), Jasmine leads communications of the region’s business value proposition. Since joining GSEC in 2018, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the organization’s marketing vision, including spearheading award-winning campaigns that have earned recognition on CNBC and Bloomberg.

Before joining GSEC in 2018, Jasmine cut her teeth in marketing, communications and graphic design consulting and working for a variety of startup, local government and nonprofit organizations.

Jasmine graduated from the University of Southern California with a Bachelor of Arts in American Studies and Ethnicity and a minor in French.

As Creative Director, Hugo is responsible for creating and updating high quality digital, print and multimedia assets that support all of the Greater Sacramento Economic Council’s activities. He works to further extend the organization’s existing brand system to develop core organizational templates, marketing campaign components, event materials and social media content.

Hugo’s creative projects include graphic design, drawing, cinematography, photography and editorial work. Prior to working at the Greater Sacramento Economic Council, Hugo spent several years in film production working on the sets of movies, short films, tv shows and commercials. He enjoyed being behind the camera lens shooting and directing the visual style of commercials and TV shows. His attention to detail developed in editing video and photo retouching for major editorial and beauty magazines.

He maintains a passion for photography, showcasing his work in galleries and winning best in show, people and fine arts category awards. Hugo was represented by advertising agencies in Hollywood, where his photography was published multiple times in national and international magazines. His photography work brought him to work closely with clothing companies in shooting and designing lookbooks for various clothing lines.

Hugo was born in Guatemala and grew up in the Los Angeles area. He graduated from Sacramento State with a Bachelor of Science in Graphic Design. In 2018 his team won first place in Stay Hacking 2018, a three-day hackathon advancing dreamers and immigrants in Silicon Valley hosted by Dreamers Roadmap and Netflix. Hugo brings passion to his work to help the community around him and the Greater Sacramento region.

Hugo enjoys spending time camping with his wife and shih-tzu havanese pup. He also enjoys drawing and painting large and abstract pieces as well as the occasional still life.

Brianna recently served as a Public Relations & Marketing Account Executive at Sterling Communications in Silicon Valley, where she combined digital marketing tactics with traditional PR strategies to create cohesive and compelling brand messages. She managed media relations, executed major campaigns, and produced engaging content for B2B clients, all while leveraging digital analytics to optimize results. Brianna also played a key role as a podcast producer, coordinating with guests, editing episodes, and pitching to top podcast shows.

Previously, Brianna was the Editor and Contributed Writer for Los Lagos STROLL Magazine, where she oversaw the editorial calendar, layout, and content of each issue, ensuring top-quality production and engaging storytelling. She has also served as a Field Representative for the California State Assembly, where she co-authored critical communications, organized community events, and responded to significant challenges such as the Huntington Beach oil spill.

Brianna holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a minor in Creative & Cultural Industries from Chapman University, where she earned the Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish and received the Founders Scholarship. She also holds a Mediation & Conflict Resolution Certification. Active in her community, Brianna is involved with the Public Relations Society of America California Capital Chapter, Pi Beta Phi Fraternity for Women, and various volunteer initiatives.

A native of Northern California, Brianna is passionate about uniting and enriching her local communities. In her free time, she enjoys hosting radio shows, spending time with her family, staying active, and exploring new creative outlets.

Mackenzie Riley is a mission-driven leader with over 10 years of experience driving impact across the nonprofit, education, and business sectors. Her work spans workforce development, strategic partnerships, sales, and organizational leadership.

Born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, Mackenzie earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Arizona, where she discovered her passion for research and service through internships, fieldwork, and leading mission trips. Early in her journey, she worked with organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters, Habitat for Humanity, and local government initiatives in Tucson.

Following graduation, Mackenzie joined a regional food bank, where she established and managed the mobile food distribution department. She oversaw complex statewide logistics, coordinated daily deliveries across a wide network of partner agencies, and launched a summer meal program that significantly expanded access to nutritious food in underserved communities.

During the pandemic, Mackenzie transitioned into sales, joining Yelp to support single- and multi-location franchisees in achieving their digital advertising goals. Her success in the role led to her selection for leadership development programs focused on coaching, critical thinking, and sales management.

Most recently, Mackenzie served as the Business Partnership Manager at the Greater Phoenix Chamber, where she led workforce initiatives for 23 high schools across the region. She built student-to-career pipelines, developed employer partnerships across the state, and helped drive significant year-over-year growth in business engagement. She also served as the organization’s DEI Co-Chair, curating programming, newsletters, and conversations to advance equity and inclusion internally.

In her free time, Mackenzie enjoys sewing, solo traveling, studying art and hiking. As a new Sacramentan, she looks forward to promoting and serving the region, spending more time outdoors, and building a new community in her new home. She is eager to contribute to a mission she’s passionate about and fully uphold.

Hayden serves as the Senior Business Development Project Manager for the Greater Sacramento Economic Council, supporting the business development team to spur positive economic growth in our region.

Prior to her role at GSEC, Hayden worked with the Kentuckiana Regional Planning & Development Agency (KIPDA) in Kentucky, specializing in federal and state grant administration, project management, and strategic regional planning. Hayden developed and maintained the regional Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) and led the CEDS Committee for the KIPDA Economic Development District.

Hayden received a Bachelor of Science in Geography from Western Kentucky University, where she double-majored in Environmental Sciences and Arabic. After graduation, she worked as a sustainability intern for the UNICEF Middle East Children’s Institute (MECI) in Amman, Jordan. During her time with MECI, Hayden discovered her passion for community development and the importance of strategic community partnerships. Following this role, she became a lead volunteer for Mothers Out Front, gaining non-profit experience and helping to facilitate discussions with community members and their legislators to address environmental injustices.

In her free time Hayden loves to travel, adventure with family and friends, and be anywhere outdoors!

Nicholas serves as a Business Development Project Manager in the Business Development wing of the Greater Sacramento Economic Council. Born and raised in Sacramento, he is thrilled to help his hometown grow and thrive.

Nicholas graduated from Grand Canyon University in 2023, majoring in Government with an emphasis on state and local public policy and minoring in Finance and Economics. During his senior year, Nicholas was one of three Arizona Junior Fellows at the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry. While working at the Chamber, Nicholas had the opportunity to meet leaders from around the political and business landscape to discuss what it means and what it takes to become a leader as well as keeping Arizona’s business community informed through news articles published by the Chamber.

DaSean serves as an Associate Business Development Project Manager for the Greater Sacramento Economic Council. In this role, he supports the business development team with attraction, engagement, and investment into businesses in the region.

DaSean is from New Orleans, Louisiana and graduated from Tulane University where he received his Bachelors of Arts in Political Science and Chinese. He served as Tulane’s Class of 2023 Commencement Speaker.

DaSean was one of six young professionals in the United States selected for the IEDC’s Equity in Economic Development Fellowship, working in strategic communications and business development at the St. Tammany Corporation and United Way of Southeast Louisiana. During his time in St. Tammany Parish, DaSean grew to love the field of economic development and its many intersections with equity work and community engagement. He is grateful to use his experience to support the Northern California region in this role.

In his free time, DaSean models, writes and produces music, and loves to spend time gardening.

Joseph Figueroa is the Manager of Research for the Greater Sacramento Economic Council. In this role, Joseph supports the region’s domestic and international business attraction efforts and assists with the organization’s strategic efforts.

Prior to joining GSEC, Joseph was a Research Analyst at the Greater Phoenix Economic Council, where he provided insight into national economic trends and provided analysis to businesses and local governments. Joseph also worked as a Senior Consultant at Cornerstone Advisors, where he developed strategies and designed new products for Community Banks and Credit Unions. Joseph was also an intern at the Brookings Institution Hutchins Center on Fiscal and Monetary Policy, where he assisted in economic research and writing blog posts. He has an Economics degree from Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona.

In his free time, Joseph can be found reading economic data releases, scouting local record stores to grow his collection, and perfecting his pizza dough recipe.

Lucy Lu Roberts is a Research Analyst at the Greater Sacramento Economic Council (GSEC), where she leads labor analytics, real estate and site selection strategies, and market and cluster analysis. Her data-driven insights support strategic decision-making for regional economic development across a variety of industries.

Previously, Lucy served as Director of Business Development at GSEC, where she oversaw a team that worked on more than 100 high-impact projects across sectors including agrifoodtech, life sciences, clean technology, semiconductors, advanced manufacturing, business services, and general tech. Her work directly contributed to the successful location of companies such as Orca Bio, Nivagen Pharmaceuticals, Samsung Semiconductors, Bosch, Solidigm, TurtleTree, MyFloraDNA and Macro Oceans in the Greater Sacramento region—collectively creating over 3,000 direct jobs. She also played a key role in developing the business development strategy and prospect pipeline for Aggie Square, a $1 billion premier life science innovation hub.

Lucy also leads GSEC’s Food & Agriculture Innovation Council, bringing together regional leaders to position Greater Sacramento as a global hub for food and agtech innovation. She is also deeply engaged in international investment strategies, having led a regional delegation to South Korea to build partnerships in the semiconductor and life science sectors, and regularly hosts foreign delegations, consulates, and trade officials. She is fluent in Mandarin Chinese.

Her dual expertise in research and business development has earned national recognition. Lucy co-authored the 2023 Life Science Report and 2019 Greater Sacramento Talent Story, which both won the International Economic Development Council’s (IEDC) 2024 and 2020 Gold Awards. She was also a major contributor to GSEC’s high-profile Amazon HQ2 proposal and the development of transformational initiatives such as Aggie Square and the California Mobility Center.

Recognized as a thought leader in economic development, Lucy has spoken on panels hosted by Area Development, Bisnow, UC Davis Integrative Center for Alternative Meat and Protein (iCAMP), and others, particularly in the fields of life science and agrifoodtech.

Before joining GSEC, Lucy worked at the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) and the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD), where she developed an early foundation in clean energy and environmental policy.

Lucy holds both a Master of Science in Agricultural and Resource Economics and a Bachelor of Science in Managerial Economics with a focus in Environmental and Natural Resource Economics from UC Davis. Her academic research has included an economic analysis of wine grape viruses for The Wonderful Company and an honors thesis on parking demand elasticity at UC Davis, underscoring her strength in economic modeling and applied analytics.

Outside of work, Lucy is a new mom who enjoys playing music, gardening, and exploring local farms and restaurants with her family throughout Greater Sacramento.