Gretchen Corbin was named to the position of Deputy Commissioner for Global Commerce at the Georgia Department of Economic Development in January 2011. In this role she leads Georgia’s global outreach to increase jobs and investment through relocating and expanding businesses and growing international trade and small business.
Ms. Corbin has worked with GDEcD since 1998 and has served in many capacities. As Division Director for International Operations, she oversaw Georgia’s International Trade Division, International Offices, Protocol Office and the department’s Global Georgia marketing initiative. During her tenure, Georgia’s International Team opened Georgia’s office in China, implemented the historic start of the SEUS-Canadian Provinces Alliance and secured 53 foreign direct investment locations into Georgia, increasing international job creation by 37 percent.
She has also held the position of Director of Georgia’s Regional Project Managers for Existing Industry & Recruitment. Under her leadership, Georgia located 264 projects and assisted 1,965 Georgia companies.
Ms. Corbin began her career at GDEcD as Project Manager for northwestern Georgia, and has also served as Senior Project Manager for that region. She has also worked with the Tennessee Valley Authority, the Cartersville-Bartow Chamber of Commerce and the Rome-Floyd County Olympic Commission.
She is involved in a number of professional and civic organizations, including Leadership Georgia, the Georgia Economic Developers Association, Hands on Georgia and Rotary International. A native of Georgia, Corbin was born in Athens and raised in Cedartown. She holds a management degree from Clemson University and graduated from the University of Oklahoma’s Economic Development Institute.