Economic Development from Alaska to New Hampshire

We’re pleased to put the spotlight on another Better Future Alliance colleague, Jared Reynolds. As the Executive Director of the University of Alaska Center for Economic Development, Jared leads a team that delivers applied research, technical assistance, and entrepreneurship and innovation programming across Alaska. He and his team focus on economic development strategies and plans, feasibility and market studies, business and financial analysis, and data-driven decision-making that generate results.

Bridging the Planning – Action Gap

Jared is particularly focused on bridging the gap between planning and implementation, helping communities move from feasibility and strategy to informed decisions and meaningful action.

Before joining the University of Alaska, Jared led Do North, where he built regional and national entrepreneurial ecosystems and founded the Forest Products Accelerator, the nation’s first accelerator dedicated to commercializing products in the forest industry. “The 4-month program supports companies commercializing new products, services, or technology in the forest industry. Participating companies get expert advice and tools to build a market validated business case, model, and operating plan through a rigorous commercialization curriculum, coaching, webinars and panels, and connections to industry experts, customers, and suppliers.”

Jared has previously held roles in economic development and research at the University of New Hampshire, AECOM, the Center for Municipal Finance, and the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability. He has also founded and managed several for-profit and non-profit ventures.

Jared Reynolds holds an undergraduate degree from the University of New Hampshire and graduate degrees from the University of Chicago.