County appoints new EDA Administrator

Larry Vaupel will bring extensive experience in private and public sector economic and real estate development when he assumes the helm of the San Bernardino County Economic Development Agency on Monday.

“Larry’s background and enthusiasm will be great assets as we work to attract and retain investment in San Bernardino County and continue our work toward achieving the Countywide Vision,” said County Chief Executive Officer Greg Devereaux, who announced Vaupel’s appointment today.

Vaupel currently serves as Economic Development Manager for City of Riverside, where he leads a team of 11 economic development and marketing professionals helping businesses create jobs.  Prior to his service in Riverside, Vaupel spent much of his career in Illinois working in city planning, real estate development, and economic development, where he served a diverse mix of urban, suburban and rural communities. Vaupel has worked in some of the fastest growing communities in the U.S. as well as established cities and public-private economic development agencies. He has also been a real estate developer and owned and managed a commercial real estate brokerage firm.

In San Bernardino County, Vaupel will oversee three County departments – Workforce Development, Community Development and Housing, and Economic Development – with a combined staff of 139 public service professionals.

“This appointment is a great honor and a great opportunity,” Vaupel said. “I look forward to joining a team of hard-working professionals who are passionate about securing economic growth for our region and helping our county community achieve the Countywide Vision.”

The Countywide Vision, www.sbcounty.gov/vision, was created by county residents and community stakeholders and calls for the establishment of a “complete county” that offers residents and investors a wide range of choices in how they live and prosper.

Key to the Vision is realizing that all elements of the community – education, wellness, jobs and the economy, public safety, housing, the environment, water, infrastructure, quality of life, and image – are interrelated and interdependent. Community experts in various element areas are working together to achieve the Vision and the Vision’s two regional goals:

• Establish San Bernardino County as a model in the state where local government, regulatory agencies and communities are truly business friendly

• Partner with all sectors of the community to support the success of every child from cradle to career

Vaupel earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Government from Liberty University and a Master of Public Administration degree from Northern Illinois University.  He is currently completing his doctoral dissertation for a Ph.D. in Political Science-Public Administration from Northern Illinois University.  His areas of research include building recession-resistant communities and measuring economic recovery in the new economy.

San Bernardino County is located at the heart of Southern California, an economy of 22 million people. Geographically, San Bernardino County is the largest county in the United States, stretching from the Los Angeles County and Orange County lines to Nevada and Arizona. Comprised of 24 incorporated cities and towns, San Bernardino County has more than two million residents and a workforce exceeding 900,000. Its assets include an innovation corridor of close to two dozen colleges and universities supporting a strong, diverse workforce along with an unparalleled collection of roadways, runways and railways that lead to regional, national and international business centers. Visit www.SBCountyAdvantage.com.