First Friday Breakfast August 2024 Partnership Gwinnett
Partnership Gwinnett is a public-private partnership spearheading economic development within Gwinnett County. Through Partnership Gwinnett, Gwinnett County has recruited and maintained a thriving inventory of industrial and professional businesses that is the envy of the Metropolitan Atlanta area.
The County’s business interests and opportunities reflect the County’s diversity and Partnership. Gwinnett explores opportunities across the globe.
Deven Cason will speak to changing global business environments, the opportunities for expansion coming from global businesses, and the County’s strategic advantage representing a diverse customer and employee base.
The Southwest Gwinnett area, in particular, has been a critical component of these successes. Partnership Gwinnett assisted in relocating Intuitive Surgical to Peachtree Corners, bringing 1,200 professional jobs to the city and helping secure the city’s prominence as a leader in the technology sector. Additionally, Norcross and Berkeley Lake continue to be the home of global business leaders, and Partnership Gwinnett’s relationships with local governments, business leaders, and the community have helped retain these important employers for the region.
Deven and Partnership Gwinnett’s emphasis is not limited to the expansion of business opportunities in the County. Partnership Gwinnett has launched important workforce development initiatives, ensuring that Gwinnett’s workforce meets the demands of tomorrow’s economy.
About Deven Cason
Deven leads and manages business development by attracting, expanding, and retaining businesses in five competitive and emerging industries in Gwinnett County. She supervises a team that engages and offers businesses resources and support — from assisting with incentives and permits, creating networking opportunities, forming strategic partnerships, providing site searches, and supporting innovation hubs.
With seven years of economic development experience and impressive analytical and interpersonal skills, Deven has become proficient in developing and maintaining rapport with local, regional, and global business experts, commercial real estate professionals, government leaders, and utility partners. Working in the second-largest county in the state with nearly 1 million residents and 17 tax jurisdictions, she understands the importance of sharing knowledge about the evolving business environment to support a growing and prosperous community. Deven also values her diverse community, collaborating with international businesses and leading mission trips abroad to encourage an equitable and inclusive economy. She enjoys building these unique relationships and making a positive difference, especially for employees and their families.
Since Deven joined the team, she has earned several promotions and advanced the business retention and expansion strategy, developing recurring networking events, including LEAN Breakfast Club, Social Series, and Women in Economic Development Day. She has not only attained notable projects with companies such as Intuitive, Publix, and Target, but she has also contributed to the organization achieving the Georgia Economic Developers Association Large Community Deal of the Year Award and the International Economic Development Council Innovation Programs and Initiatives Award and Multi-Year Economic Development Program Award. In the past seven years, she has managed more than 120 projects, bringing $2.67 billion capital investment and 14,000 new jobs to Gwinnett County.
Deven has prior experience with providing staffing solutions, managing dozens of accounts and surpassing millions in sales. She received a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the University of Georgia and graduated with the Leadership Gwinnett Class of 2020. She and her two children live in Gwinnett County where they love exploring different international cuisine.
