John T. Lawrence: Director of Economic & Business Development (Memphis Light, Gas and Water)

John Lawrence is the new Director of Economic & Business
Development with Memphis, Light, Gas & Water, the nation’s largest
public three-service energy and water distribution company.

John has a unique balance of development, planning, finance,
marketing, and management experience. Throughout a 25-year
career as a leader in community development, his efforts have
resulted in more than three billion dollars in construction along with
higher occupancy rates, new businesses, jobs, and residents.

John has served as President of a Downtown Business Improvement
District, Vice President of a City and County Economic Development
Agency, Executive Director of a Regional Growth Alliance and led an
Arts and Music Foundation, after starting his career in commercial
real estate.

Under John’s leadership, MLGW has reorganized economic
development, key accounts, and commercial demand response
programs.

John’s team helps manufacturing companies, logistics firms and
neighborhood community development corporations. They advise
large-scale historic restoration developers and small neighborhood
restaurants.

Over the years, John’s teams have won:

• The Gold Award from the International Economic
  Development Council.
• Site Selection Magazine’s Award for Excellence two years in
  a row, as one of the Nation’s top-20 economic development
  organizations.
• The Governor’s Award for Performance, Accountability and
  Efficiency.