Forsyth names economic development director

Vivian Vakili has been named Forsyth County economic development director. FORSYTH COUNTY

Vivian Vakili has been named Forsyth County economic development director. FORSYTH COUNTY

A Forsyth County development official has been appointed to the newly created position of economic development director.

Vivian Vakili will seek to attract businesses to locate or expand in Forsyth and help them work with various county departments, officials said.

Vakili also will oversee implementation of the county’s new economic development ordinance and be the primary contact with such groups as the Development Authority of Forsyth County and Cumming-Forsyth Chamber of Commerce.

She formerly was development services manager in the Forsyth Planning and Community Development Department, managing the building permit, current planning and inspections divisions. Before joining the county in 2016, Vakili worked in land development for the public and private sectors.

Vakili has a bachelor’s degree in architecture from Georgia Tech, a master’s of business administration from Emory University, and certifications from the American Planning Association and U.S. Green Building Council.