Linda Thomson
President and CEO, JARI – Johnstown, PA
Since 2000, Linda Thomson has been president and CEO of JARI, a regional economic development organization serving the Cambria and Somerset counties of Pennsylvania. In this role, she is responsible for strategic and tactical planning, fundraising, reporting to community leadership, public relations, and overall implementation of JARI programs. She is the organizational lead on community development and shale gas initiatives, Showcase for Commerce, and international business attraction.
Before joining JARI, Thomson was executive director of the Clearfield County Industrial Development Authority for 12 years. She began her career in economic development as director of the Greater Connellsville Chamber of Commerce in 1983.
Thomson is a member of the Pitt-Johnstown Division of Business and Enterprise Advisory Board, St. Francis University Small Business Development Center Advisory Board and President’s Advisory Council, Mt. Aloysius President’s Advisory Council, and North/South Highway Coalition Working Group, and is on several other economic development committees. Thomson has an M.P.A. from Lehigh University and a B.A. from Waynesburg College.
Before joining JARI, Thomson was executive director of the Clearfield County Industrial Development Authority for 12 years. She began her career in economic development as director of the Greater Connellsville Chamber of Commerce in 1983.
Thomson is a member of the Pitt-Johnstown Division of Business and Enterprise Advisory Board, St. Francis University Small Business Development Center Advisory Board and President’s Advisory Council, Mt. Aloysius President’s Advisory Council, and North/South Highway Coalition Working Group, and is on several other economic development committees. Thomson has an M.P.A. from Lehigh University and a B.A. from Waynesburg College.