Aundra Wallace
"The local environment is one in which I can grow, not only professionally, but also personally. With so many opportunities for a healthy and active lifestyle - fishing, running, walking - everything I want to experience is right here in Northeast Florida."
Aundra Wallace is the President of JAXUSA Partnership, the economic development division of the JAX Chamber, leading business recruitment and expansion efforts across the seven counties that make up the Jacksonville, Florida, region. Wallace oversees a team responsible for business development, workforce development, research and marketing for the Jacksonville region. Under his leadership, JAXUSA announced more than 100 projects that generated over 15,000 direct jobs and $5.5 billion in capital investment for Northeast Florida from 2019-2024.
A champion of JAXUSA’s mission to be a catalyst for economic growth, Wallace brings decades of experience in economic development and public-private leadership. Prior to joining JAXUSA in October 2018, he served as CEO of the City of Jacksonville’s Downtown Investment Authority, leading major infrastructure improvement projects, economic development initiatives and real estate development.
Before relocating to Jacksonville in 2013, Wallace was Executive Director of the Detroit Land Bank Authority. He also served as the Senior Vice President for Commercial Real Estate at the North Carolina Community Development Initiative and spent 12 years in executive roles with Miami-Dade County Government, including President & CEO of the Miami-Dade Empowerment Trust.
Wallace serves on numerous local and statewide boards, including Ascension Florida and the Gulf Coast, the Cathedral Arts Project, Downtown Vision, Florida State College at Jacksonville Foundation, Goodwill of Northeast Florida, Jacksonville Transportation Authority, Leadership Florida, LISC, Sulzbacher Center, Teach for America Jacksonville, United Way of Northeast Florida and Urban Land Institute – Public/Private Partnership Council.
He holds a Master of Public Administration from Clark Atlanta University and a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Georgia Southern University. He is also a Certified Housing Development Finance Professional and a Certified Economic Development Finance Professional.
Widely recognized for his strategic vision, collaborative approach and proven ability to drive impactful results for the communities he serves, Wallace plays a pivotal role in shaping Jacksonville’s economic future and advancing growth throughout Northeast Florida.
A champion of JAXUSA’s mission to be a catalyst for economic growth, Wallace brings decades of experience in economic development and public-private leadership. Prior to joining JAXUSA in October 2018, he served as CEO of the City of Jacksonville’s Downtown Investment Authority, leading major infrastructure improvement projects, economic development initiatives and real estate development.
Before relocating to Jacksonville in 2013, Wallace was Executive Director of the Detroit Land Bank Authority. He also served as the Senior Vice President for Commercial Real Estate at the North Carolina Community Development Initiative and spent 12 years in executive roles with Miami-Dade County Government, including President & CEO of the Miami-Dade Empowerment Trust.
Wallace serves on numerous local and statewide boards, including Ascension Florida and the Gulf Coast, the Cathedral Arts Project, Downtown Vision, Florida State College at Jacksonville Foundation, Goodwill of Northeast Florida, Jacksonville Transportation Authority, Leadership Florida, LISC, Sulzbacher Center, Teach for America Jacksonville, United Way of Northeast Florida and Urban Land Institute – Public/Private Partnership Council.
He holds a Master of Public Administration from Clark Atlanta University and a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Georgia Southern University. He is also a Certified Housing Development Finance Professional and a Certified Economic Development Finance Professional.
Widely recognized for his strategic vision, collaborative approach and proven ability to drive impactful results for the communities he serves, Wallace plays a pivotal role in shaping Jacksonville’s economic future and advancing growth throughout Northeast Florida.
Expertise
Urban, Community and Housing Development
Alma Mater
Georgia Southern University and Clark Atlanta University
Favorite Landmark or Attraction
Downtown Jacksonville and Castillo de San Marcos
Favorite Movie
The Usual Suspects
Favorite Restaurant
Cowford Chophouse
