William J. Jabjiniak

Director of Economic Development
City of Mesa
Mesa, AZ

With more than 30 years of results-driven vision and leadership in revitalization strategies, public/private partnership opportunities, project financing and business recruitment, William Jabjiniak currently serves as the Director of Economic Development for the City of Mesa, Arizona. His mission is to grow the local economy, primarily through the strategic expansion of Mesa’s industries of opportunity – Healthcare, Education, Aerospace and Tourism/Technology (HEAT). Under Jabjiniak’s leadership, his team attracted five new higher education institutions; successfully implemented an entrepreneurship program which includes LAUNCHPOINT, Mesa’s Technology Accelerator; retained the Chicago Cubs and Oakland A’s spring training operations; and led the adaptive reuse of the Air Force Research Laboratory, converting it to the Arizona Laboratories for Security and Defense (AZLabs) – a cyber security, aerospace and defense center of excellence – all while maintaining the high security protocols. In addition, his team was instrumental in the creation of the Elliot Road Technology Corridor which has everything high-tech manufacturers need, including a quick entitlement process, plenty of power and infrastructure, plus a Foreign Trade Zone. In 2017, the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) recognized Mesa’s Office of Economic Development as one of the first 60 Accredited Economic Development Organizations (AEDO) in North America.

Prior to the City of Mesa, Jabjiniak served as Director of Economic Development for the City of Richmond, Virginia and served as Destination Manchester Coordinator in the Office of the Mayor for the City of Manchester, New Hampshire.

Jabjiniak received a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Franklin Pierce University and holds both a Master of Science in Community Economic Development and a Master of Business Administration from Southern New Hampshire University.