Patterson Names Director of Economic Development & Community Affairs

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Pontiac, MI – Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson has appointed Irene Spanos as Director of Economic Development & Community Affairs. She begins her new role immediately. Spanos replaces Maureen Donohue Krauss who was tapped to be Vice President of Economic Development, Business Attraction at the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce.

“Irene has been a key player in developing our Medical Main Street and Emerging Sectors initiatives,” said Patterson. “Her track record of success proves she’s ready to take our job creation strategies to the next level.”

Spanos, 40, has been an economic developer at Oakland County since November of 2004. Most recently, she was a senior business development representative leading the county’s Medical Main Street initiative to brand Oakland County as a destination for world-class health care and medical manufacturing. Prior to joining Oakland County, Spanos was a marketing/advertising/public relations supervisor at the Society of Manufacturing Engineers for more than a decade.

“I am truly honored that Brooks asked me to head up Oakland County’s economic development efforts,” said Spanos. “Oakland County has some of most innovative companies creating industry-changing products; one of the most globally trained work forces; and some of the most passionate people working here at the county helping people and businesses every day.”

A 1993 graduate of Wayne State University, Spanos holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a major in marketing.  She was raised in Ferndale but now resides in Sterling Heights with her husband John and children Bill, 5, and Vanessa, 3. She is a member of the Michigan Economic Developers Association, the Swedish American Chamber of Commerce, and Southfield’s Healthcare Corridor board.  Spanos also has been asked to sit on the Mechatronics advisory board for Oakland Community College.