DFW News App

Fort Worth’s economic development director is leaving his job with the city to focus on countywide employment creation.Robert Sturns — who has led the city’s business development efforts for more than nine years — will become the next executive director of Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County. He will start his new role in March.Jill Navarrete, the organization’s assistant director, will serve as interim executive director until Sturns begins working for the organization.Sturns was selected after a nationwide search by Workforce Solutions.“I look forward to joining the team at Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County, and continue to serve a region that I already know and love through a new economic development lens,” Sturns said in a statement. “While Tarrant County’s growth over the past decade has been a key driver in bringing new economic investment to the area, a highly-skilled workforce is critical to maintaining that momentum, and I’m eager to work with partners and stakeholders across the region to build on that success.”A Workforce Solutions’ news release said Sturns “is a proven executive leader with over 30 years’ experience in both the public and private sectors,” noting he has “demonstrated excellence in consensus building, board governance, organizational strategy, collaboration, relationship management, and developing high performing teams.”“We are thrilled to welcome Robert to the team,” said Tyrone Taylor, board chair of Workforce Development. “His leadership in economic development, combined with his vision for workforce innovation, will be invaluable as we continue to build a skilled and dynamic workforce in Tarrant County.” Sturns will help drive regional economic success and bridge the gap between talent and opportunity, he added.As the city’s economic development director, Sturns is credited with driving new capital investment in highly competitive environments that resulted in more than $6.4 billion in new investments and the creation of 34,000 jobs. He implemented several innovative programs, including the establishment of the Medical District and a state-designated Media Production Development Zone to enhance TV and film production. Sturns has also been involved in efforts to create a Historic Southside urban village as well as the UTA West campus near Aledo.Sturns, a former captain in the U.S. Army Reserve, also worked in an economic development role for the city of Arlington. He earned a master of business administration degree from Texas Christian University and a bachelor’s degree from Stephen F. Austin State University. He is an alumnus of the prestigious Harvard Kennedy School Leading Economic Growth program.Eric E. Garcia is a senior business reporter at the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at eric.garcia@fortworthreport.org. At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here.