Former Sedona Chamber of Commerce CEO Michelle Conway Kostecki was hired by the city of Cottonwood in August as the tourism and economic development manager. The position works under the tourism and economic director, which is currently vacant, and focuses on economic growth by attracting and retaining businesses and supporting workforce development.
“My time at the Sedona chamber provided a strong foundation in community engagement and strategic collaboration,” Kostecki stated. “A chamber professional builds strong relationships across diverse stakeholders, including business owners, non-profits, government entities, and residents. This skill is critical in city government, which requires bringing together various groups to work on complex issues. Further, chamber work involves learning about all aspects of a community. This comprehensive knowledge provides a working map of how a community functions which is also applicable to my current role. And while my focus is no longer on Sedona, I have several years of knowledge of and relationships within the region, county, and state, which helps me in my job with the city of Cottonwood.”
Her top priorities over the first year include launching the new Visit Cottonwood website and assessing Destination Marketing Organization marketing efforts. On the economic development side, she will work on the five-year Economic Development Strategic Plan co-created with Elliott D. Pollack & Company, addressing housing, talent development, quality of life and business investment.
The biggest challenge facing Cottonwood, cited by Kostecki, is workforce housing.
“Workforce housing is one of the most pressing and complex issues facing Cottonwood, and we recognize that no single entity can solve it alone,” Kostecki stated. “That’s why we take a collaborative approach, engaging developers, nonprofits, local leaders, and other partners to identify realistic and innovative solutions.”
But she said the city’s greatest economic strengths are: “The greater Cottonwood region has a higher percentage of a working-age population [ages 20-54] than Yavapai County overall,” Kostecki wrote. “This is a positive characteristic to attract new employers to the region. We also have excellent access with the presence of highways — both SR 260 and 89A — as well as the I-17 and I-40, which provides excellent roadway connections to Phoenix, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Albuquerque. We also have low commute times, positive school grading and above-average high school graduation rates.”
“Michelle’s experience, regional knowledge and proven leadership make her an excellent addition to our team,” Tricia Lewis, the former tourism and economic development director wrote in September, when Kostecki was hired. “Her passion for community building and economic vitality aligns perfectly with our mission to support a strong economy and sustainable future for Cottonwood.”
Lewis left her position with Cottonwood on Dec. 1 to take a new job with the city of Prescott as its new Economic Development manager.
“My professional background is one of service, particularly to businesses,” Kostecki wrote. “From my days as an account manager for advertising agencies, to heading up the Sedona Chamber, to my current post at the city of Cottonwood: It’s in my blood to help businesses and communities thrive. I look forward to working with you!”
After graduating from the University of Nevada Las Vegas with a degree in business and marketing, she worked in agency account management, branding resorts in Las Vegas and tech companies in San Francisco before returning to Arizona in 2009 to join the Sedona Chamber of Commerce. She became its president and CEO in summer 2022.
“What I appreciate most about the area are my roots,” Kostecki wrote. “I have lived here for much of my childhood, and since 2009 as an adult. My parents lived in Sedona for many years, encouraging our entire family to gather in Sedona for celebrations and holidays. I’ve made lifelong friends, and I met my husband! I have wonderful personal memories of my life here. On the professional side, my work in the region continues to permit me the honorable opportunity to impact the communities I live in and love. I am very fortunate to be able to do that. Because of all of this, I feel that I’m part of the community fabric.”
Contact Kostecki at mkostecki@cottonwoodaz.gov.
