Duke basketball has had quite a run in the past and High Point’s economic development efforts have also had a strong run in recent decades. 

Both Duke basketball and High Point Economic Development are experiencing big changes in leadership, and, in both cases, a lot of thought has gone into who can best continue the success of the past. 

In High Point, former Economic Development Corp. President Loren Hill stepped down at the end of 2020, and city leaders have been finding new leadership to head up those efforts. On Tuesday, July 6, Hill’s replacement – High Point Economic Development Director Sandy Dunbeck – announced another piece of that leadership puzzle was in place:  Sarah Stevenson, from High Point’s Office of Communication and Public Engagement, has now joined the economic development team as the economic development manager for the city. 

Stevenson, who earned her master’s degree in Strategic Communication in 2015 at High Point University, was subsequently hired by the High Point Chamber of Commerce, where she served as communications director and senior director of events and marketing for six years.  In that role, she worked closely with local businesses – something that’s expected to help her in her new job.

She serves as a board secretary for the Bienenstock Furniture Library and for Communities in Schools of High Point. In June, she was appointed to the High Point University Board of Alumni. 

Stevenson is also a graduate of the Institute for Organizational Management, a leadership program of the US Chamber of Commerce.

In a prepared statement sent out Tuesday afternoon, Steven said exactly what many people say in similar situations – that it is a real “honor” and she is very “excited.”

Dunbeck explained the decision to select Stevenson.

“This role requires someone with great communication and project management skills. Sarah provides all of that and more, making her an excellent fit for our team.  We are very excited to have her join us in Economic Development.”  

 

 

 

 

 

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