Ranked among the top fifth of the nation’s largest economies, the Lehigh Valley is flush with talented and experienced business leaders responsible for global brands, innovative businesses, and life-changing technologies.

As part of a strategy to share their expertise, the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation (LVEDC) is launching a new Q&A interview series, Lehigh Valley Suite Spot, highlighting some of the region’s leading executives. The series, which debuts in the LVEDC’s Oct. 18 e-newsletter, features executives sharing their thoughts about their companies, industry trends, the economy, the region’s competitiveness, and their personal career pathways.

“We’ve launched this series because the Lehigh Valley has an abundance of executive talent with fascinating experience, “ LVEDC  President & CEO Don Cunningham said. “All of us in the Lehigh Valley can get to know them, and their companies, better through these longer-form interviews and learn from them. In addition, we are proud to show those outside of our region the impressive talent and significant companies that exist here.”

Lehigh Valley Suite Spot is an outgrowth of a video executive interview series the LVEDC launched during the pandemic. Spanning two seasons, Cunningham interviewed 17 new corporate leaders from some of the largest and most prestigious companies in the Lehigh Valley, including Mack Trucks, Olympus of the Americas and Crayola. Those interviews are available to view on LVEDC’s YouTube Channel.

The new series will broaden the scope of executives, including entrepreneurs and corporate veterans from a wide range of industries and company sizes. The interviews are conducted on-site, providing a peek into the companies they lead.

The first interview features Billy Cyr, a veteran corporate executive and Pennsylvania native who returned in 2016 as CEO of Freshpet, a growing pet food company known for its high meat content and fresh ingredients. The company employs 600 in the region primarily in at its manufacturing facilities in Hanover Township, Northampton County.

Food and beverage production is among the industries LVEDC is working to expand in the region. LVEDC is also targeting companies in advanced manufacturing, life sciences and high-value business services industries.

The LVEDC, a nonprofit accredited by the International Economic Development Council, markets the economic assets of the Lehigh Valley and creates partnerships to support the recruitment, growth and retention of employers and the creation of jobs for people of all skill and education levels.