Log in

government

Maria Laughner to serve as Peoria's new economic development services director

Posted 2/3/25

Peoria City Manager Henry Darwin has announced that Maria Laughner will serve as the city’s new economic development services director, effective Feb. 10.

You must be a member to read this story.

Join our family of readers for as little as $5 per month and support local, unbiased journalism.


Already have an account? Log in to continue.

Current print subscribers can create a free account by clicking here

Otherwise, follow the link below to join.

To Our Valued Readers –

Visitors to our website will be limited to five stories per month unless they opt to subscribe. The five stories do not include our exclusive content written by our journalists.

For $6.99, less than 20 cents a day, digital subscribers will receive unlimited access to YourValley.net, including exclusive content from our newsroom and access to our Daily Independent e-edition.

Our commitment to balanced, fair reporting and local coverage provides insight and perspective not found anywhere else.

Your financial commitment will help to preserve the kind of honest journalism produced by our reporters and editors. We trust you agree that independent journalism is an essential component of our democracy. Please click here to subscribe.

Sincerely,
Charlene Bisson, Publisher, Independent Newsmedia

Please log in to continue

Log in
I am anchor
government

Maria Laughner to serve as Peoria's new economic development services director

Posted

Peoria City Manager Henry Darwin has announced that Maria Laughner will serve as the city’s new economic development services director, effective Feb. 10.

She will replace Jennifer Stein who resigned from the position, Oct. 21, 2024.

Laughner comes to Peoria from the city of Mesa, where she served as the deputy eonomic development director of strategic initiatives.

In her role, she directed strategic economic development initiatives including targeted business attraction in various industries, including aerospace and defense, semiconductor and climate technologies, according to a news release.

She also led negotiations related to attracting unique and high-quality retail, restaurants, hospitality and entertainment destinations.


Laughner has previous economic development experience with the city of Tempe as the deputy director of economic development and served as the city of Peoria economic development manager 2008-2013. In addition to municipal work experience, she has also supported business development initiatives in the higher education and private sectors.

“The City of Peoria is very fortunate to welcome Maria back to lead our economic development team,” said City Manager Darwin. "Her experience in negotiating with and landing the types of employers and businesses that we want in our city will be key to the city's economic future."

Laughner said Peoria is focused on overall quality of life, from high-quality jobs attraction, to adding incredible shops and places to dine across the city.

“I am very excited to return to Peoria and being part of a team that is future focused on growing the city in a smart and intentional manner,” she said.

Laughner holds a Bachelor of Arts from Marquette University, a Masters of Arts in Hispanic Civilization from New York University- Madrid Spain, and a Masters of Business Administration in International Management from the Thunderbird School of Global Management.

Peoria, Arizona, government, economic development

Share with others