Members’ Corner: Linda Spence
Name
Linda Spence
About You
My favorite title is “Gran,” it officially replaced “Mom” when my first grandchild arrived in 2011 and has held the top spot ever since. I love to travel, take long drives in my VW convertible (top down, always), and spend as much time as possible with the people I love. Those moments are what spark the most joy for me.
About Your Work
My work keeps me inspired because no two days look the same. I get to travel, meet incredible people, and help create jobs and opportunities for our community, work that truly makes an impact. As a steward of federal, state, and local incentive funds, I enjoy making smart investments that help businesses grow while strengthening our local economy. It’s a role that blends strategy, relationships, and a little adventure, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
About Your Organization
The Washington County Department of Business and Economic Development is special because we combine big-picture strategy with a genuinely local touch. Our team is passionate about helping businesses succeed while creating real opportunities for our residents, from job creation to smart investment in our community. We’re proud to be collaborative, responsive, and always focused on taking care of business for Washington County.
About Your Current Role
In my current role, I oversee financial incentive programs and serve as the Foreign Trade Zone grantee and administrator, helping businesses navigate tools that support growth and global trade. I also focus on data collection and analysis to ensure our programs are effective, transparent, and delivering real results. It’s a role that blends strategy, compliance, and impact, keeping me both challenged and energized.
About Your Economic Development Journey
My journey in economic development began in 1998 as the administrative assistant for a small but mighty team of five. Through hard work and a deep love for helping others succeed, I grew into roles that supported businesses directly, connecting them with resources, developing marketing materials, responding to RFPs, and leading outreach efforts across the community. After several years in business development, I was tapped to lead our financial incentive programs, where strategy meets impact. Economic development has been a rewarding career built on relationships, problem-solving, and the belief that strong communities don’t happen by accident.
