Doug McDonald has been promoted to Deputy City Manager of the City of Plano, effective Dec. 1. McDonald, who has held the role of Director of Economic Development since 2022 and previously joined the city full-time seven years ago, will retain oversight of the economic development department in his new capacity.
City Manager Mark Israelson praised the promotion, noting that McDonald has brought renewed energy to Plano’s business climate, expanding team capacity, spearheading international recruitment, driving commercial real-estate engagement and launching the city’s first Master Area Plan for the Legacy District.
Among his investments: updating Plano’s economic development playbook to reflect the post-pandemic workforce, establishing a building-modernization program for aging office campuses, and restoring workforce pathways in partnership with Plano Independent School District and Collin College, according to a news release.
Under his leadership, the city has landed 21 business projects in three years—representing 7,200 new jobs and $722 million in capital investment—with high-profile wins including Sally Beauty Holdings, Simpson Strong‑Tie, Delta Electronics and Raising Cane’s expansions.
“This isn’t simply a promotion,” Israelson said. “It’s a recognition of the strategic direction Doug has set, and the foundation he’s built for the city’s next decade of growth.”
McDonald will continue leading Economic Development while taking on broader responsibilities in the city’s executive team. He succeeds a role previously held by Deputy City Manager Sam Greif. Greif had been serving as Deputy City Manager and focused on Plano’s public-safety portfolio.
At the same time, the city has announced that the Economic Development Director position (McDonald’s prior role) will be filled imminently; details on his successor are expected to be released by the city in the coming weeks.
