MADISON, WI (May 11, 2022) – NEXT Generation Consulting (NGC), a leading firm that helps businesses and organizations develop foresight and ambitious futures, announces the appointment of David G. Brown as Lead Consultant. His first day is Monday, May 9. Through his new role with NEXT Generation Consulting, Brown will leverage his intimate knowledge of community growth and economic development to create pathways of innovation and prosperity for communities across the country.
Brown’s first project with NGC is Capital Crossroads 3.0, through which he will lead a team of NGC consultant experts to work within the region to develop a vision plan and regional strategy for Greater Des Moines and Central Iowa. The project’s main focus is equity-centered economic development, making it one of the first of its kind. Brown’s future projects with NGC will undoubtedly include community post-covid planning–developing long-range plans that account for disruption, build resiliency, and spark change.
“David is one of those rare leaders who can envision a bold future and help activate it through influence and motivation,” says Rebecca Ryan, APF, Founder of NEXT Generation Consulting. “Finding one of those talents– being visionary, activating, or mobilizing– is common. Finding all of them is truly special. I am honored to welcome David to the team.”
Brown brings decades of experience to the position, having served for nearly 20 years as President and CEO of the Greater Omaha Chamber, one of the largest and most highly accredited chambers in the nation. Since the start of his tenure in 2003, Brown worked tirelessly to expand economic development partnerships and provide inclusive opportunities for community members, promoting an 88% increase in the region’s average GDP. As one of the most respected chamber leaders in America, his progressive campaigns focused on young professional engagement, talent attraction and retention, transportation, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and quality-of-life. Brown’s visionary leadership in economic development led to more than 972 projects, 56,000 jobs, and more than $15 billion in capital investment.
Prior to his work with the Greater Omaha Chamber, Brown served as President and CEO of the Greater Greenville Chamber of Commerce in South Carolina. Other organizational leadership roles include President of the Monroe County Industrial Development Corporation in Michigan, followed by a ten year stint with the Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce in Indiana, where he served as Vice President of economic development and later President.
A champion of strategic foresight, Brown has worked together and in parallel with Rebecca Ryan and NEXT Generation Consulting for almost 15 years; their most significant partnership took place with the development of Greater Omaha 2040, a 20-year vision for the region. In addition to working on the vision plan, NEXT Generation Consulting introduced strategic foresight to various organizations in the region, including Omaha Public Schools and the Omaha Public Power District (OPPD).
“I have been so fortunate to know and work with Rebecca Ryan and her team at Next Generation Consulting over the years,” says David G. Brown. “Our decision to work together is a natural extension of Rebecca’s expertise with communities and companies building dynamic strategies for the future and my experience over the years developing community growth strategies.”
Brown’s exceptional leadership as President and CEO of the Greater Omaha Chamber promoted significant advancement in education, transportation, economic opportunity, and quality of life in Omaha. In addition to bringing decades of experience and insight to NGC, Brown’s new role will allow him to expand his reach to communities across the country, continuing his work towards community growth, economic advancement, and the prosperity of people.
