Nathan Sparks
Nathan Sparks began his career in economic development while pursuing a degree in International Studies, Economics and Spanish at Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, GA. It was then that Nathan was selected for Governor Zell Miller’s “Governor’s Intern Program” and was subsequently assigned to work at the Georgia Department of Industry, Trade and Tourism, now known as the Georgia Department of Economic Development (DEcD).
Upon completing his assignment with the State of Georgia and graduating from Oglethorpe with a Bachelor of Arts in 1998, Nathan returned to his home state of Alabama and took the position of Research Analyst with the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama. In this role, Nathan was heavily involved in the development of a statewide targeted industry recruitment strategy which emphasized the state’s automotive-related assets.
In 2000, Nathan was named Special Projects Coordinator for Florida’s largest private landowner, Jacksonville-based The St. Joe Company. In 2003 he was promoted to Manager of Economic Development for St. Joe, where his primary responsibility was the implementation of a comprehensive economic development branding and marketing strategy for the northwest Florida region. He was also significantly involved in creating the region’s 16 county economic development partnership, Florida’s Great Northwest, Inc.
Nathan was invited to lead the Brunswick and Glynn County (Georgia) Development Authority in February 2005. As Executive Director of BGCDA, Nathan is responsible for the day-to-day management and oversight of an organization tasked with retaining jobs in Glynn County as well as attracting new, quality employers to the community.
Nathan is a 2002 graduate of the University of Oklahoma’s Economic Development Institute and was awarded the Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) designation by the International Economic Development Council in 2006. Nathan was recently recognized as one of the community’s “Top 20 Under 40” by Golden Isles Magazine. He serves his community and state in many ways, including as a board member of the Rotary Club of Brunswick, as a board member of the Brunswick YWCA Foundation, as an advisory council member of Keep Brunswick Golden Isles Beautiful (KBGIB), as a board member of the six county Southeast Georgia Joint Development Authority, as a founding member of the eight county Highway 341 Alliance, and as the professional development committee chairman for the Georgia Economic Developer’s Association (GEDA).
Nathan, his wife Susan and their son Jackson make their home on St. Simons Island where they are active members of Wesley United Methodist Church.
Contact Info
Phone: 912-265-6629
Email: snathansparks@bwkeda.com