EDC Staff
Pete Tesch, President of the Economic Development Council of St. Lucie County (EDC) is responsible for the administration and operations of the organization while providing strategic direction for the growth and economic development of St. Lucie County.
Mr. Tesch is focused on the attraction of new business, expansion and retention of existing industry throughout the county, job creation and workforce readiness, as well as promoting St. Lucie County to encourage new investment. He assumed his role in January 2014.
As of December 2023, under the direction of Mr. Tesch, the EDC has actively assisted with 74 economic development projects over the past seven years – both new business locations to St. Lucie County or expansions of existing businesses. These locations or expansions in targeted industries, such as manufacturing, healthcare, logistics/distribution, and the marine industry, are projected to retain 6,700 existing jobs, create 12,728 new jobs, and provide a capital investment in the county of over $1.34 billion.
In addition, Mr. Tesch serves on the boards of the Treasure Coast Food Bank, Round Table of St. Lucie, and the Treasure Coast Manufacturers Association.
Prior to joining the EDC, Tesch was president of Peterson Hill Partners, LLC an economic development consultation and site selection company that he founded in 2011 to serve businesses, communities and not-for-profits.
Mr. Tesch was president and CEO of Ocala/Marion County Economic Development Corporation from 1997 to 2012. During his tenure, Tesch was responsible for assisting 106 new and expanding businesses create over 9,000 jobs with an economic impact of more than $437 million.
Tesch was selected as the 2012 Eunice Sullivan Economic Development Professional of the Year, at the 2012 Florida Economic Development Conference, for his outstanding commitment, talent and skill sets in economic development, both at the local and state level. He was also named as one of the State of Florida's Top Economic Developers in 2023 by Southern Business & Development magazine.
Mr. Tesch and his wife Kim reside in the City of Fort Pierce.
In addition, Mr. Tesch serves on the boards of the Treasure Coast Food Bank, Round Table of St. Lucie, and the Treasure Coast Manufacturers Association.
Prior to joining the EDC, Tesch was president of Peterson Hill Partners, LLC an economic development consultation and site selection company that he founded in 2011 to serve businesses, communities and not-for-profits.
Mr. Tesch was president and CEO of Ocala/Marion County Economic Development Corporation from 1997 to 2012. During his tenure, Tesch was responsible for assisting 106 new and expanding businesses create over 9,000 jobs with an economic impact of more than $437 million.
Tesch was selected as the 2012 Eunice Sullivan Economic Development Professional of the Year, at the 2012 Florida Economic Development Conference, for his outstanding commitment, talent and skill sets in economic development, both at the local and state level. He was also named as one of the State of Florida's Top Economic Developers in 2023 by Southern Business & Development magazine.
Mr. Tesch and his wife Kim reside in the City of Fort Pierce.
EDC STAFF:
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Workforce Readiness
772.324.2014 x204
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Business Manager
772.324.2014 x201
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Business Development
772.324.2014 x207
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Senior Vice President
772.324.2014 x205
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Communications & Outreach
772.324.2014 x203
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Investor Engagement
772.324.2014 x202
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Investor Development Consultant
772.336.6253