Delray Fills Key Positions With Veterans

Joan Goodrich will lead Delray's Economic Development efforts

Joan Goodrich will lead Delray’s Economic Development efforts

Delray Beach  is beginning to fill key positions in city government.

Joan K. Goodrich has been hired to become the city/CRA Economic Development Director. She took the helm on June 23, replacing Vin Nolan, who resigned to go into private practice.

The City Commission has hired veteran Broward County attorney Noel Pfeffer as the new city attorney. Pfeffer takes over from acting city attorney Terrill Pyburn, who took the city attorney’s position in Coconut Creek. He will assume his duties July 9.

Goodrich has more than 25 years’ experience in business development, marketing and economic development.  She brings experience with particular expertise in areas such as fundraising and grants, c-level executive management and policy and development advocacy.  Goodrich previously led a recruiting team in the attraction, expansion and retention of 52 companies to the City of Coral Springs, resulting in more than $150 million in economic impact on the local economy, and the addition of $215 million in non-residential taxable value to the city.

    “Joan brings decades of experience and a highly successful record to Delray Beach,” said Diane Colonna, CRA Executive Director.  “We are very pleased to welcome her to our economic development team.”

 Goodrich earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Stetson University.  Professional affiliations and leadership experience include Executive Director, March of Dimes Foundation (2010-2013), Executive Vice-President, Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward Economic Development Alliance (2000-2010) and Executive Director, Coral Springs Economic Development Foundation (1993-1999).

Goodrich will plan and implement business and economic development programs and strategies jointly for the City and the CRA, with particular emphasis on the downtown and other business corridors within the City.  Specific duties will include establishing and implementing business attraction and retention strategies, incentive programs, marketing and workforce development.

Pfeffer joins a city attorney’s office that has been without a permanent leader since Brian Shutt resigned earlier this year to join a local law firm.

For the past thirty-five years, Mr. Pfeffer has served in the Broward County Attorney’s Office.  In 1984, he was promoted to the position of Deputy County Attorney and, five years later, his supervisory duties were further expanded to oversee the Finance, Real Estate and Transportation Division of the Office of the County Attorney.  His responsibilities included managing a staff of 11 attorneys and providing legal services in the areas of all real estate matters, governmental finance, budget, tax, transportation law and solid waste disposal.  In addition, he has served as lead counsel in connection with numerous complex transactions that involved the negotiation and drafting of Interlocal Agreements, Ordinances and Service Agreements.

  Pfeffer received his Juris Doctor Professional Degree from Nova University Law Center.  He also attended American University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree.  Mr. Pfeffer has been a member of the Florida Bar since 1978 and bar memberships/activities include the Florida Bar Grievance Committee (member, vice-chair, chair 1996-1998), Florida Bar Local Government Section, American Bar Association (1990-2011), and U.S. States District Court-Southern District of Florida (1978).