Lauren Berry serves as Director of Maxis Advisors’ Location Analysis and Incentives Advisory team, where she leads the firm’s efforts to deliver win-win solutions for both client and community through the site selection and incentives negotiation process. In this role, Lauren leverages her economic development background to guide domestic and international clients through complex site selection and incentives negotiations, delivering insights and solutions related to talent markets, real estate, and credits and incentives solutions. Her leadership ensures that every project, whether a local expansion or a global investment, is positioned for long-term success.

Prior to joining Maxis Advisors, Lauren Berry built a strong foundation in economic development at the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber in Ohio. She earned the Ohio Certified Economic Developer (Ohio CED) credential and served on the Board of Directors for the Ohio Economic Development Association. Today, she continues to mentor Ohio CED students and remains an active voice in the industry, frequently speaking and publishing on topics such as site selection, incentives, workforce strategy, and emerging project trends. Lauren is a graduate of Patrick Henry College in Virginia and currently resides in Charlotte, North Carolina with her husband.

Neil W. Beup is a senior public affairs, government relations, and economic development executive with more than 25 years of experience navigating the intersection of public policy, business strategy, and government engagement. Throughout his career, he has advised corporate executives, policymakers, and business leaders on complex legislative, regulatory, energy, tax, infrastructure, and economic development issues at the local, state, federal, and international levels.

Immediately prior to joining Maxis Advisors, Neil served as Vice President of Global Public Affairs for Linde, one of the world’s largest industrial gases and engineering companies. In this role, he led the company’s global government affairs and external corporate communications involving media relations, advocacy, and social media across multiple continents. He directed public affairs strategies on critical issues including clean hydrogen, clean energy, tax policy, carbon dioxide and helium supply, and global healthcare access initiatives. He also served as the company’s lead federal lobbyist and represented Linde before numerous trade associations, coalitions, and government stakeholders worldwide.

Prior to this role, Neil served as Executive Director of Global Government Affairs for Praxair. He built and led integrated government affairs programs during a period of significant corporate transformation, including the merger of Praxair and Linde. He developed comprehensive federal, state, local, and international advocacy strategies, managed political action committees, and created an enterprise-wide economic development and incentives program designed to identify, secure, and manage government incentive opportunities supporting corporate investment and growth.

Before joining Praxair, Neil spent over 10 years with United Technologies Corporation (UTC) and Carrier Corporation as Manager of State Government Affairs. There, he represented the company on legislative and regulatory matters involving energy efficiency, climate policy, renewable energy, building systems, and economic development. He also established and managed UTC’s centralized process for pursuing and administering state economic development incentives and tax credits, helping align government programs with corporate expansion and investment objectives.

Earlier in his career, Neil led policy and advocacy efforts for the MetroHartford Chamber of Commerce, serving as Vice President and Director of Public Policy and Government Relations. As the chief lobbyist for the region’s business community, he developed and advanced a multi-year policy agenda focused on economic competitiveness, tax reform, transportation investment, workforce development, and business growth. Prior to that, he worked as Senior Policy Analyst to the Speaker of the House in the Connecticut General Assembly.

Neil has also served in numerous community leadership positions, including as Vice-Chair of the Board of Trustees of The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk (current). Neil holds a Master of Arts with Honors in Public Policy Studies from Trinity College and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Robert “Bob” Chase brings nearly 30 years of experience in economic development, site selection, incentives negotiation, and business expansion strategy. Since joining Maxis Advisors in July 2023, he has helped corporate clients optimize location decisions, reduce project costs, and secure economic incentives that support long-term growth and investment objectives.

Bob’s career spans both the public and private sectors, giving him a well-rounded perspective on how businesses, communities, and government partners work together to facilitate successful expansion projects. He began his economic development career with the City of Anaheim, supporting business attraction and retention efforts as a Business Development Manager. He later joined Ernst & Young’s Credits & Incentives practice in Boston before spending nearly two decades with KPMG’s Global Location and Expansion Services practice, where he most recently served as Managing Director and Northeast Practice Leader.

Throughout his career, Bob has led all aspects of site selection, incentives negotiation, and incentive compliance for some of the world’s largest organizations, including multiple Fortune 50 companies. His efforts have resulted in the approval of hundreds of millions of dollars in federal, state, and local incentives, helping clients lower capital costs and achieve meaningful operational savings through strategic growth, consolidation, and business continuity initiatives.

A recognized thought leader in the incentives and economic development industry, Bob has participated in numerous speaking engagements and served on the Institute for Professionals in Taxation (IPT) Credits & Incentives Committee. He was also nominated for KPMG’s State & Local Tax Stewardship Award, which recognizes professionals who exemplify leadership, mentorship, and service within the organization.

Bob holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Georgia and a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Sacred Heart University. He remains active in his community through youth baseball and softball coaching and volunteer leadership within his local church.

Tom Croteau is Senior Managing Director at Maxis Advisors, where he advises domestic and international companies on complex site selection, investment strategy, and economic incentive negotiations throughout the United States. Having led major investment attraction efforts from both the public and private sectors, Tom brings a unique perspective on how companies and states evaluate, negotiate, and execute transformative manufacturing investments. He is recognized as a trusted advisor who helps companies reduce investment risk, optimize location decisions, and maximize long-term project value.

Since joining Maxis in 2019, Tom has represented manufacturing and industrial clients across a broad range of industries, including automotive, electric vehicle supply chain, battery manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, food processing, metals and specialty materials, consumer products, and advanced manufacturing. He specializes in guiding European and Asian manufacturers through complex multi-state location strategies, incentive negotiations, and regulatory considerations associated with U.S. expansion. Tom has also developed specialized expertise advising Chinese manufacturers on CFIUS considerations and state-specific restrictions affecting industrial investment and land acquisition.

Prior to joining Maxis, Tom served as Deputy Commissioner of Global Commerce for the Georgia Department of Economic Development, where he led the state’s global business recruitment and expansion efforts. During his tenure, his team successfully supported more than 1,700 new and expanding company locations, representing over $23 billion in capital investment and creating more than 127,000 new jobs across Georgia. Notable projects included the relocation of the Mercedes-Benz USA headquarters, Honeywell’s Innovation Center, Meta’s multi-billion dollar data center investment, ASOS’s first U.S. operation, and SK Innovation’s multi-billion-dollar electric vehicle battery manufacturing facility.

A frequent speaker on industrial investment strategy, site selection, and economic competitiveness, Tom has presented at national economic development conferences and battery industry forums on manufacturing investment, site selection strategy, and incentive negotiations.

Tom holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Florida State University and previously held leadership roles with MEAG Power and the Metro Atlanta Chamber. Based in Atlanta, he serves clients nationwide, helping organizations make informed location decisions that support long-term operational success and sustainable growth.

Jessica D’Annunzio serves as Executive Vice President of Maxis Advisors, where she leads the firm’s business development and client delivery teams, helping organizations identify optimal locations, maximize economic incentives, and make strategic real estate decisions that drive growth and operational excellence. In her role, she oversees the expansion of Maxis Advisors’ global platform, serving clients across a broad range of industries seeking to improve competitiveness through data-driven location strategy, labor analytics, and financial optimization.

With more than 20 years of experience in commercial real estate and corporate solutions, Jessica has built a reputation for helping companies transform their real estate portfolios into strategic business assets. She partners with corporate occupiers to optimize real estate footprints, reduce costs, reengineer supply chains, attract and retain top talent, and improve overall business performance. Throughout her career, she has advised numerous Fortune 1000 organizations with industrial and office portfolios spanning national and global markets.

Prior to joining Maxis Advisors in 2023, Jessica spent nearly a decade with Colliers International as Senior Vice President of Corporate Solutions, where she developed and implemented cost-saving strategies and enterprise real estate solutions for major corporate accounts. Before Colliers, she was a leader within JLL’s Strategic Consulting Group, advising clients on corporate strategy, location planning, and relocation initiatives. She also led JLL’s Location Advisory practice and later served on the firm’s national Solutions Development Team, designing outsourced real estate solutions for large corporate occupiers.

Jessica’s expertise spans business development, strategic planning, occupier representation, facility management, business process improvement, and cross-functional leadership. She is widely recognized for her ability to align real estate strategy with broader business objectives, helping organizations create value through smarter location and workforce decisions.

She earned a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from Northwestern University and completed her MBA studies at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business.

Jack Ellenberg advises CEOs, CFOs, and executive leadership teams on North American market entry, capital deployment, and policy-sensitive growth decisions. His work focuses on helping organizations make informed decisions early in the planning process, before investment, operating models, and location strategies become costly to change. Bringing a unique perspective at the intersection of business strategy, government affairs, economic development, and capital planning, Jack helps leadership teams navigate complex regulatory, policy, and operational considerations with confidence.

Jack joined Maxis Advisors following more than 28 years in senior leadership roles spanning economic development, infrastructure, corporate partnerships, higher education, and strategic growth initiatives. His career includes cabinet-level positions supporting multiple U.S. governors, executive leadership at a major North American port, and senior leadership responsibilities within a leading R1 research university focused on innovation and advanced industry. Throughout his career, he has played a key role in securing more than $35 billion in capital investment and over 100,000 jobs, supporting growth initiatives for globally recognized organizations including BMW, Boeing, Bosch, ZF, Mercedes-Benz, and numerous other domestic and international companies where strategic insight, discretion, and trusted executive counsel are essential.

Widely recognized as a leader in economic development and business recruitment, Jack received the Order of the Palmetto, South Carolina’s highest civilian honor, in recognition of his service and contributions to the state’s economic success. He was also named Person of the Year by Southern Business & Development Magazine for his leadership role in the recruitment of Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner assembly operation, one of the most significant economic development projects in the country.

In addition to his professional accomplishments, Jack remains actively involved in civic and community leadership. He serves on the Board of Directors for Prisma Health Upstate and on the Board of Directors for E.A.R.N. the Right, an organization dedicated to supporting and developing at-risk youth. He holds both a Bachelor of Arts (1991) and a Master of Arts (1994) from Clemson University, where he developed the foundation for a career dedicated to helping organizations, communities, and leaders achieve long-term growth and prosperity.

Jade Simmons is a Senior Graphic Designer supporting Maxis Advisors, where she develops strategic visual communications that strengthen brand presence, elevate client experiences, and support business development initiatives. Since joining Foundry Commercial, Maxis’ parent company, in March 2024, Jade has partnered with teams across the organization to create impactful marketing campaigns, presentations, thought leadership materials, digital assets, and branded collateral that communicate complex ideas with clarity and creativity.

Known for blending strong creative execution with strategic thinking, Jade specializes in graphic design, brand development, visual storytelling, presentation design, and marketing communications. She works closely with executive leadership, consultants, and business development professionals to translate complex business concepts into compelling visual narratives that engage audiences and drive results.

Her design philosophy centers on aligning creativity with business objectives, ensuring every project not only reflects a strong visual identity but also advances organizational goals. Through her work, Jade helps bring brands, ideas, and client stories to life while maintaining consistency, innovation, and excellence across every touchpoint.

George has over 35 years experience assisting domestic and international companies with site selection and location analysis, business incentives and tax credits, and financial and tax analysis services. Prior to joining Maxis Advisors, George was a Managing Director in KPMG’s Global Location and Expansion Services (GLES) practice for 25 years where he supported major clients including IBM, JPM Chase, Verizon, Warner Media, Bayer Healthcare, Novo Nordisk, Samsung, Raytheon Technologies, Whole Foods, and numerous emerging technology companies in completing investment projects in the US and globally. During that period, George served as National Practice Leader for several years and led the development of KPMG’s international location services network.

Prior to joining KPMG, George managed international investment activities for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, resulting in the completion of over 140 major investments to the region. During positions in Europe and New York, he provided a range of site selection, incentives and logistics services to companies and supported the agency’s port and aviation promotion, regional tourism and trade development programs. George was also based in London, England as the European representative for the City of New York and New York Chamber of Commerce and Industry and prior to that directed retention and expansion of New York City companies for the Chamber.

George has actively participated in numerous economic development, real estate and international business organizations for many years. He holds a B.A. in Sociology and History from the State University of New York at Albany and an M.S. in City and Regional Planning from Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY.

Jenae Valentine is a member of Maxis Advisors’ Location Analysis and Incentives team, where she advises corporate clients on site selection, location strategy, and incentive negotiation. Drawing on a unique combination of economic development, real estate, and market analysis experience, she helps organizations evaluate expansion and relocation opportunities while maximizing the financial benefits available through state and local incentive programs.

Prior to joining Maxis Advisors, Jenae served as a Project Manager in the City of Charlotte’s Economic Development Department on the Business Recruitment and Retention team. In this role, she managed RFI responses and developed real estate and incentive proposals for companies considering relocation or expansion in the Charlotte market. Her work required close collaboration with corporate decision-makers, site selectors, and public-sector stakeholders to position Charlotte as a competitive location for investment and job creation.

Before her work with the City of Charlotte, Jenae was an economic development consultant with Redevelopment Management Associates (RMA) in Pompano Beach, Florida. During her tenure, she conducted market analyses, prepared redevelopment plans, and provided implementation support for private-sector developers and municipalities throughout Florida and South Carolina. This experience gave her a strong foundation in community development, economic growth strategies, and real estate-driven decision-making.

Jenae holds a Master of Science in Real Estate Development from Nova Southeastern University, which complements her expertise in site strategy, land use, and economic development. She also earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from Ohio University, providing a strong business and analytical foundation that continues to inform her client-focused approach. By combining technical real estate knowledge with economic development experience, Jenae helps clients make informed location decisions that support long-term business objectives.

Brittany H. Young is a Senior Manager on Maxis Advisors’ Location Analysis and Incentives team, where she advises corporate clients on site selection, location strategy, and economic development incentives. She brings more than 20 years of experience in economic development, business recruitment, and strategic operations, helping organizations make informed decisions that support growth and investment objectives.

Prior to joining Maxis Advisors, Brittany served as Chief Operating Officer for the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), overseeing agency operations and strategic initiatives across all divisions, including Georgia’s international representatives in 12 global markets. She also served as Executive Director of Georgia Allies and was a key liaison to public- and private-sector partners.

Previously, as Deputy Commissioner of GDEcD’s Global Commerce Division, Brittany led efforts focused on business recruitment, expansion, and job creation. Throughout her career, she has contributed to major project wins involving companies such as Amazon, ASOS, Denkai America, Hyundai Motor Group, and YKK AP.

Recognized as one of the Top 50 Economic Developers in the United States in 2018, Brittany combines deep economic development expertise with a practical understanding of corporate location decision-making. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management from the University of North Georgia.

Patric Zimmer is the Founder and President of Maxis Advisors, where he leads the firm’s location strategy, site selection, labor analytics, and incentive negotiation services. With more than 30 years of experience, Patric has advised companies across a wide range of industries on expansion, relocation, and investment decisions, helping clients align real estate and location strategies with broader business objectives.

Throughout his career, Patric has successfully guided projects representing approximately $16 billion in capital investment and more than 30,000 jobs created. His expertise includes comprehensive location cost analysis, incentive negotiations, workforce evaluation, and strategic site selection, enabling organizations to make informed decisions that drive long-term growth and operational efficiency.

Patric’s background spans both the public and private sectors, giving him a unique perspective on economic development and corporate investment strategy. He has held numerous leadership positions within economic development organizations and earned the prestigious Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) designation, reflecting his extensive knowledge and contributions to the profession.

In addition to his consulting work, Patric has significant experience in commercial real estate and investment management, having overseen a successful real estate investment fund focused primarily on opportunities throughout the Southeast. He is also a frequent speaker on entrepreneurship, leadership, economic development, and business growth strategies.

Combining decades of experience with a practical, results-driven approach, Patric helps organizations identify optimal locations, maximize available incentives, and create sustainable value through strategic investment decisions.