Doug McDonald has been tabbed as the city’s next director of economic development. He replaces Sally Bane, who retired from the position earlier this summer. His first day in the new role will be Sept. 26.
McDonald boasts 15 years of municipal government experience that includes stops in Arlington, Keller and Richardson. He previously worked in Plano city government from 2013 to 2018. During that time served as both the comprehensive planning manager and senior planner.
He left Plano to work for the city of Richardson. While there, he held the roles of interim executive director for the Richardson Economic Development Partnership and managing director of the city’s Office of Innovation. His accomplishments include helping create the city’s Innovation Quarter and spearheading efforts to develop and re-develop land along the DART red-line. He also worked with UT Dallas and other local entities that supported startups and small businesses.
McDonald is a former president of the Texas Chapter of the American Planning Association. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech, two masters from the University of Texas at Arlington in urban planning and public administration, and is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma Economic Development Institute.
