March 1, 2023
The Board of Directors of the Fayette County Development Authority (FCDA) have selected Niki Vanderslice to serve as President & Chief Executive Officer effective March 1, 2023.
As President & CEO, Vanderslice will be responsible for FCDA operations, implementing the board’s strategic direction, and outreach to state and community partners.
Vanderslice brings to the position over 20 years of experience in Community & Economic Development, as well as a working knowledge of the FCDA operations and FCDA Board. Prior to joining the FCDA Board of Directors in 2016, Niki was the Executive Director of Business Development and External Affairs for the Technical College System of Georgia’s Quick Start program. In this role, she served as a liaison to external local, regional and state economic development entities in business recruitment efforts and supported continuous improvement initiatives to maximize the professional effectiveness of the statewide technical college vice presidents of economic development in serving new, expanding and existing companies in their service delivery areas.
Niki began her career in economic development working with local communities, including serving as the Department of Community Affairs’ Office of Downtown Development Regional Representative for regions 1, 2 and 4, and also as the Downtown Development Director for Valdosta and Douglas, GA. Niki has also served as Senior Community Development Consultant for Georgia EMC, where she was responsible for providing economic development assistance to communities across Georgia on behalf of the 42 Electric Membership Corporations (EMCs). Her responsibilities included leading and facilitating various projects, including adult and youth leadership programs, team building, and motivational training. She also organized retreats and strategic planning sessions for chambers of commerce, statewide associations, and development authority boards. Prior to joining the Technical College System of Georgia, Niki served as Director of Governmental Relations for the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.
Niki holds an Associate of Arts degree from ABAC, a B.A. in Business Administration from Georgia Southwestern State University and a Master’s in Organizational Development and Leadership from Saint Joseph’s University.
A Georgia native, Niki is a member of the Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC) Foundation Board and Alumni Association, and past president of the Georgia Downtown Association. She is also a 2010 graduate of Leadership Georgia. She and her husband, Ed and their daughters, reside in Fayette County.
"The board is very excited to welcome Niki as our next CEO and President of the FCDA," said Chairman Darryl Hicks. "As the interim CEO, she has done an excellent job and is well positioned to lead the board into the next phase of Economic Development for Fayette County."
