WHEREAS, John Grady is a native son of Philadelphia, born and raised in the Olney and East Oak Lane neighborhoods. He earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics from LaSalle University and a Master of Public Administration Degree from the University of Pennsylvania’s Fels Institute of Government; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Grady has dedicated three decades of service to public-private partnerships in economic development. After nearly a decade with the
Cooper’s Ferry Development Association,
working on planning and development for the Camden waterfront, he crossed the Delaware River to join the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC); and
WHEREAS, Mr. Grady established himself as a leader at PIDC by leading the transformation of the Navy Yard into a dynamic, mixed-use campus. Today, it features more than 7.5 million square feet of facilities, hosts more than 13,000 employees and 150 companies, and has attracted more than one billion dollars of public and private investment; and
WHEREAS, In recognition of his leadership, Mr. Grady was named President of PIDC in 2011. Since then, PIDC has aggressively expanded its core real estate and business lending functions. At the same time, it has lent an expert, visionary voice to public conversations regarding the city’s greatest challenges and opportunities. Recent examples include Philadelphia’s coordinated response to the Amazon HQ2 request for proposals and the ongoing public conversation regarding the future of Philadelphia’s refinery complex; and
WHEREAS, In addition to serving as PIDC’s President, Mr. John Grady is active as a civic leader, serving on the boards of the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Collegiate Consortium for Workforce and Economic Development, the East Falls Development Corporation, LaSalle University, and Roman Catholic High School. He also serves as a Distinguished Alumni Fellow at the Fels Institute of Government at the University of Pennsylvania; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Grady is an indispensable asset to the City of Philadelphia. Fortunately, his move to the private sector will keep him here in the City. We celebrate his decades of service and we trust that he will continue to dedicate his talents to the betterment of his hometown of Philadelphia; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That John Grady be honored,
on the occasion of his retirement as President and CEO of the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation, for 21 years of outstanding service to the residents and businesses of Philadelphia.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Mr. John Grady as evidence of the Council’s appreciation and esteem.
End