Ryan Gomez
Project Manager
Community Development Foundation
Ryan Gomez serves as Project Manager for the Community Development Foundation (CDF), where he focuses on business recruitment, retention, and data-driven market research to support economic growth in Tupelo and Lee County. His role includes utilizing workforce analytics, demographic trends, and market insights to develop strategies that enhance the region’s competitiveness.
Before joining CDF, Ryan worked as a Graduate Research Assistant at the University of Southern Mississippi’s (USM) Trent Lott National Center for Excellence in Economic Development and Entrepreneurship. In this role, he contributed to economic development projects such as community assessments, impact studies, strategic plans, and industry analyses. His experience collaborating with municipal officials, business leaders, and public-private partners, along with his expertise in research tools like IMPLAN, JobsEQ, and ArcGIS, has equipped him with a strong foundation in economic analysis and project management.
Ryan earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from USM in 2023, followed by a Master of Business Administration and a Graduate Certificate in Economic Development in 2024. In his free time, he enjoys playing pool, table tennis, video games, and spending time with friends.