Speaker - Feb. 21, 2014
Peter Tokar
Peter Tokar III is the Economic Development Director for the City of Alpharetta, one of Georgia’s prominent cities in North Fulton County. He began his work in Economic Development in 2006 after completing his Master’s degree. His natural leadership, aptitude and work ethic has catapulted him into leadership positions within the industry at an early age, being recruited to his first Director level position in economic development for Broward County Florida, where he managed projects for a county of 31 municipalities and over 2 million people.
Peter’s versatile and diversified background sets him apart from other economic development professionals. Having earned a Bachelor’s of Science in graphic arts from Liberty University and his Masters of Business Administration from the H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship at Nova Southeastern University, he has been able to serve as both the creative mind as well as the business mind behind his projects and initiatives. This creative thinking led him to develop such programs as the first ever business assistance television series which begins broadcast in the South Florida Area in October of 2012. He has managed not only financial incentives plans for recruitment projects, but complete marketing and branding campaigns, print and web designs and business and strategic plan development.
Since 2006, Peter has been lead economic development projects resulting in over 4,000,000 square feet of new business space, close to $3 Billion in capital investment, job creation of over 3500 new jobs and job retention of over 7000 jobs. Together with Alpharetta City and Elected leadership, he is leading recruitment, retention and expansion initiatives for the city which include the $600 Million Avalon development project by North American Properties, 40 acre Alpharetta City Center development, the newly created Alpharetta Technology Commission, Alpharetta Development Authority and city wide branding campaign for Alpharetta. In addition to project management, he represents Alpharetta in national and local recruitment efforts, conferences, civic and professional organizations.
In addition to multiple community and industry professional organizations, Peter also enjoys a background in community involvement and leadership, having served as a volunteer to community organizations, chambers of commerce, and professional development organizations. Peter is a graduate of Leadership Broward, Class XXVII and 2013 North Fulton Leadership Class and is an active member in the Alpharetta Rotary Club.
Through all these professional achievements, Peter has reserved time to give back to his community and be a servant leader. He is committed to his faith and for the past two years has served on short term missions teams to the Joshua Children’s Mission, in Vrygrond, South Africa. An avid golfer, he has served on the board of directors for First Tee, which brings the values and fundamentals of golf to urban youth.