Palm Springs Names Gary Cooley Economic Development Chief
Gary Alexander Cooley, formerly of Alexandria's economic development partnership, will lead the city's economic development office starting December 7, 2026.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in People
Palm Springs has selected Gary Alexander Cooley as its next Chief Economic Development Officer. Cooley most recently served as Director of Business Development for the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership in Virginia.
Why it matters
The appointment places an economic development leader with prior regional experience in charge of the city's growth strategy. Cooley is expected to advance the city's Economic Development Strategic Plan as it pursues new business opportunities.
The appointment takes effect December 7, 2026, and no compensation or budget figures were included in the city's announcement. Cooley holds Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) credentials from the International Economic Development Council.
The players
Gary Alexander Cooley
Cooley is a Certified Economic Developer with prior leadership roles at Dallas College and Northern Virginia Community College, and he helped develop Alexandria's ALX Forward roadmap.
City of Palm Springs
Palm Springs is a city in Riverside County, California, known as a desert resort destination and home to its own municipal economic development office.
The details
Cooley previously held economic development leadership posts at Dallas College in Texas and Northern Virginia Community College, and helped develop ALX Forward, Alexandria's economic development roadmap. He holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. His stated priorities include technology, sustainability and the creative economy, and he will support the Convention Center Expansion and Airport Master Plan.
Timeline
November 10, 2026: Palm Springs announces the selection of Gary Alexander Cooley.
December 7, 2026: Cooley begins his role as Chief Economic Development Officer.
Market Landscape
Cooley's background in Alexandria's ALX Forward roadmap positions him to apply a regional roadmap approach to Palm Springs' Economic Development Strategic Plan. His experience across Texas and Virginia community and partnership organizations reflects how cities often recruit economic developers with multi-jurisdiction backgrounds.
Residents and local businesses will see the city's economic development priorities shaped by Cooley's leadership starting December 7, 2026. Pragmatic effects on business recruitment, permitting, and local investment will become clearer as his initiatives take shape.
The takeaway
Leadership changes in city economic development offices often signal shifts in how a city pursues investment. Cooley's stated focus on technology, sustainability and the creative economy offers a window into Palm Springs' next growth priorities.
What happens next
Cooley is scheduled to begin his role on December 7, 2026, when he will start advancing the city's Economic Development Strategic Plan.
Further reading
For more on local leadership changes, explore People coverage in Palm Springs business news.
