Scott Ford, formerly the executive director of community investment in South Bend city government and currently an executive vice president for Bradley Company of South Bend, has been appointed associate vice president of new business development at the University of Notre Dame.
A Notre Dame alumnus, Ford will coordinate economic development efforts in collaboration with several areas of the University, including Notre Dame Research, the IDEA Center, University Relations and the Office of Public Affairs and Communications to positively affect both the South Bend-Elkhart region and University.
Ford succeeds Jack Curran, who was the first to serve in the position.
“Jack brought a broad set of skills in strategic planning and business development, as well as extensive experience in identifying and creating business opportunities that foster growth,” Executive Vice President John Affleck-Graves said. “Scott will build on the progress that Jack made.
“Scott brings a deep understanding and knowledge of Notre Dame and our greater community. His experience in the public and private sectors will be vital to Notre Dame’s continuing efforts to spur regional growth.”
Ford has served as executive vice president with Bradley Company since April 2016, evaluating and leading the commercial real estate firm’s business operations and overall strategy as well as providing development advisory services to municipal and private clients.
As executive director of community investment for South Bend, Ford implemented a strategic restructuring of the city’s approach to economic development that yielded nearly 2,600 new announced jobs and $440 million in new private investment to the city. Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government recognized his work as one of the “Bright Ideas in Government” in 2014.
“The University of Notre Dame is a dynamic engine for our economy,” Ford said. “And yet there exists further untapped potential to connect the talent, ideas and resources on campus with those in the community to expand economic opportunities and improve the quality of life across the region. I am grateful for this tremendous opportunity to join the University in its ongoing efforts and leadership in the region.”
Ford earned his bachelor’s degree in government with a concentration in philosophy, politics and economics and a master’s degree in architecture from Notre Dame. He also holds a master’s degree in planning, growth and regeneration from the University of Cambridge.
Ford is an active member of the Congress for New Urbanism and the Certified Commercial Investment Member Institute. He currently serves as a member of several local boards, including the St. Joe Valley Metronet, enFocus and Downtown South Bend. He previously served as a board member of several other organizations, including the South Bend Urban Enterprise Association, Community Home Buyers Association, Economic Development Commission and the Industrial Revolving Loan Fund.
Originally published by at news.nd.edu on January 25, 2018.