Manager of Business & Trade Development

Gary D. Brackett, CCR
Manager of Business & Trade Development

Gary Brackett began his experiences with community and economic research and chambers of commerce when he was hired to compile a database of the City of Tacoma by the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber.  Since that entry into chamber work in 1977, his duties and responsibilities have expanded to include the development of business and community issues for Alaska, international trade, military affairs, the environment, port/industrial infrastructure, utilities, manufacturing and technology.

He has published manufacturing directories using both in-house resources and contractors.  And, he has managed for 21 years the Chamber’s Horizons economic forecast event and its Pierce County Economic Index report.  He is responsible for collecting or assisting managers to collect information for community issues in other areas, is directly responsible for maintaining a database or resource links to respond to economic development inquiries and to answer client-specific information needs.

He has served in many local community organizations and economic development initiatives including the World Affairs Council of Tacoma, the City of Tacoma’s Service Tax Task Force, and the Central Puget Sound Economic Development District.  He has recently been re-appointed to the Economic Development Corporation of Tacoma-Pierce County, which issues Industrial Revenue Bonds.  His civic involvement includes membership and as a Past-President of the Kiwanis Club of Tacoma and volunteering with the Pacific Harbors Council, BSA.

He is a graduate of the Economic Development Institute and the U.S. Chamber Foundation’s TradeRoots program.  Under his management, the Chamber was awarded the “President’s ‘E’ Certificate for Export Service.” 

He received the professional designation Certified Community Researcher (CCR) in 2000.  He is a Past-President of The Council for Community and Economic Research, a national non-profit association promoting excellence in community and economic development research and is currently serving on their Board as Senior Advisor.

Gary served in the U.S. Air Force from 1969-1973 as an Aircraft Maintenance Officer, primarily working with C-141s at McChord AFB.  He currently serves as the Government Relations Officer for the Washington State Air Force Association and for the McChord Chapter of AFA.

Gary received his MBA from the University of Washington and his BBA from Texas Tech University.