Gary Shope has been appointed interim economic-development director for Orange County.
Shope will be responsible for creating and implementing strategies to enhance and promote the economic well-being of Orange County. In addition, he will oversee the Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau.
Shope served as vice president of the Research Triangle Foundation for 16 years, nurturing an international network of corporate and professional alliances that helped advance the global reputation of the Research Triangle Park. He holds a bachelor’s degree from West Virginia Wesleyan College and a master’s degree in public administration from UNC.
Shope began work as the county’s interim director this week.