The Team

Contact Us

Glendale City Hall- Office of Economic Development
5850 W Glendale Ave, Suite #217
Glendale, Arizona 85301
P:623-930-2983

Our team goal is to ensure a vibrant economic base for the betterment of all Glendale residents and the business community that we serve.

 

Jessi Pederson

Jessi Pederson

Director, Economic Development

Bio
As Director of the Office of Economic Development, Jessi leads an expert team of economists, planners and business development pros in Business Attraction, Business Retention and Expansion and Business Assistance. She also oversees the Arts & Culture, Special Events, Downtown and Visit Glendale divisions. Jessi first joined the city’s Economic Development Department in 2011 with an emphasis on redevelopment, small business assistance and special projects. Previously, she spent two years serving as Glendale Mayor Jerry Weiers’ Chief of Staff until rejoining the Economic Development team in early 2017, bringing to the team her extensive background and enhanced expertise in citywide redevelopment, small business/entrepreneurship assistance and Historic Downtown Glendale redevelopment efforts. Jessi has previously served as Project Manager for Economic Development and Development Services for the City of Goodyear, AZ, specializing in Entrepreneurship Outreach and medical industry attraction. Jessi is a proud graduate of Arizona State University and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science and a Master ‘s degree in Public Administration.

[email protected]
623-930-2996
Lori German

Lori German

Marketing & Communications Manager

Bio
Lori joined the City of Glendale in 2017 as the special projects and communications manager for Mayor Jerry Weiers. After nearly two years, she joined the Economic Development team as the Communications Program Manager. In this role she has been tasked with sharing Glendale's Economic Development story. During her time with Econ Dev, Lori launched social media platforms to develop rapid community engagement. A native from Puerto Rico, she moved to Arizona to pursue her professional dreams. Lori has focused her professional career on purpose-driven work. Prior to joining the City of Glendale, she spent eight years traveling the world for national and international business projects with the Miss Universe Organization, Grammy's, and Oscars.  Throughout her career she has worked with national non-profits looking to make a difference in people's lives. She served three years as Director at the American Heart Association and five as Regional Director at Money Management International.  Her native language is Spanish. Lori graduated Summa Cum Laude from Arizona State University with a degree in Mass Communication. What she enjoys the most about Economic Development is being able to directly impact the community she is serving and through her role, being able to in some way engage with every project and opportunity that will benefit residents and visitors.

[email protected]
623-930-2986
Daniel Benson

Daniel Benson

Business Attraction Program Manager

Bio
Daniel is the newest member of the Economic Development team. He brings his private market experience of business development, international trade, and experience working with emerging technologies. Daniel got his first taste of economic development as an intern with the Town of Gilbert, while he was a student at Arizona State University. His undergrad degree from ASU focused on International Business and later received his MBA from Kingston University with a focus on International Trade/Economics. Daniel’s interest focuses on utilizing the collective resources Glendale offers and connecting industry, to build towards the future.

Daniel Sabillon

Daniel Sabillon

Deputy Director

Bio
In his role, Mr. Sabillon leads development and redevelopment activities in Downtown
Glendale along with Glendale's Arts & Culture Program and the Special Events division. A significant portion of the role is focused on continuing to develop and maintain relationships with merchants, landowners, residents, regional stakeholders, developers and other partners to help facilitate development and business attraction. He has also been tasked with marketing and establishing an online presence for Downtown Glendale through local events and campaigns that will help regularly bring visitors to the area and establish it as the downtown for thousands in the surrounding area and beyond.

[email protected]
602.476.4075
Samuel Pena

Samuel Pena

Business Retention & Expansion Manager

Bio

Samuel joined the Economic Development team in 2021 and has been with City of Glendale for nearly five years. Prior to joining the Economic Development team he served as a Council Assistant with the City Manager’s Office and as Administrator of Department Support Services in the Field Operations Department. Samuel brings over 15 years of local public service experience from the State and County.

As our Business Support Program Manager, Samuel focuses on workforce development, proactively seeking engagement and outreach opportunities to connect businesses with resources, complex internal reporting, and high-level internal administrative support to the Economic Development team.

He brings vast regional expertise to the team as he is a proud west valley and Glendale native attending local elementary, middle, and high schools here in Glendale. He earned an associates degree in Administration of Justice from Phoenix College and holds his bachelor’s degree in Public Administration from Northern Arizona University. He is a big advocate for volunteerism as he previously served with the Special Olympics of Arizona, Big Brothers/Big Sister program, and currently serves as the President of the Glendale Hispanic Network.

[email protected]
623-930-3936
Samantha Cope

Samantha Cope

Small Business Specialist

Bio
Samantha joined the Economic Development team in January 2022. She has worked in Glendale for nearly five years. Prior to joining the Economic Development team, Samantha worked in the Planning Department.  

She boasts additional municipal experience in planning, zoning and code in upstate New York where she was born and raised. 

Board of adjustments, planners and historic preservation commission. 

She brings over a decade of experience in the areas that support the team's economic development efforts. Her knowledge in the financial sector provides her the skills necessary to navigate the budget and other key operational functions.  

She is passionate about baking and cooking and moved across country to Arizona to be closer to family. 

[email protected]
623-930-2983

Contact Us:

5850 W. Glendale Avenue, Suite 217
Glendale, Arizona 85301
Phone: 623-930-2983 
Fax: 623-931-5730
[email protected]

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