Economic Development

Working in partnership with organizations across the community, Economic Development implements the Mayor’s vision for making Fresno a more prosperous and inclusive city.

Our team works for you:

• First-Stop for Startups
• Site Selection
• Incentive & Program Consultations
• Small Business Loans and Other Financing Referrals
• Troubleshooting across all city departments and services including business tax, permitting, parking & code enforcement

Fresno has many times proven its resiliency and ability to adapt. In 2019, we hit a 30-year low in unemployment. Despite the challenges of 2020, the city is starting 2021 with a balanced budget and employment is on its way to recovery.

Lance Lippincott
Director

Lance Lippincott joined the City of Fresno Economic Development team in 2022, with a primary focus on business retention, expansion, and attraction efforts.

Lance has fulfilled a variety of roles in the Central Valley supporting economic and workforce development across multiple entities.  Most recently, Lance served as the President/CEO of the Kings County Economic Development Corporation, while concurrently serving as the Economic and Workforce Development Director for the County of Kings.  Lance obtained a Bachelor of Arts-History from California State University-Chico, and a Juris Doctor from Western Michigan University’s Thomas M. Cooley School of Law.

lance.lippincott@fresno.gov
(559) 621-8550

Kelly Trevino
Assistant Director

Kelly Trevino joined the City of Fresno in 2001, serving as the Executive Analyst to the City Council. In that role, she served on a variety of committees dealing with the City budget, Measure C, and other special initiatives, as well as serving as a liaison between Councilmembers, staff, and community members. She joined the Economic Development team in 2003.

During her Economic Development tenure, Kelly has been responsible for the oversight and staffing of various programs including the Round III Federal Empowerment Zone designation, the Municipal Restoration Zone Program, the State Enterprise Zone Program, the City’s iDIFER Program, management of various grants and grant applications and the City’s two Revolving Loan Fund programs.

Kelly has lived in Fresno nearly all her life. She is a graduate of Bullard High School and California State University, Fresno. She and her husband Jim, an attorney, have two children. She loves travel, photography, spending time with family and friends, and watching her children play sports.

kelly.trevino@fresno.gov
(559) 621-8426

Joshua Goggins
Economic Development Coordinator

Joshua Goggins joined the Economic Development Department in 2022.  He is passionate about Fresno and enjoys using his skills and abilities in economic development to bring new businesses to Fresno and help improve the quality of life for residents in all parts of the City.

Joshua has an extensive background in capital business management, quantitative methods and public policy analysis.  He currently holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science from Missouri Southern State University and a Masters of Public Administration from California State University, Fresno.  Joshua is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Public Administration at Liberty University.

In his spare time, Joshua enjoys reading books, listening to podcasts, and spending time with family.

joshua.goggins@fresno.gov
(559) 621-7055

Lisa Henslee
Executive Assistant

Lisa Henslee is a 16-year employee of the City of Fresno.

Prior to working in the government sector, Lisa enjoyed a wide-ranging list of professions in business, sales & marketing, worker’s compensation, contract compliance, hospitality, and volunteerism throughout the valley.  For a short time, she even owned a small catering business.  All of these past experiences lend to her career with the City of Fresno.

As a temporary Staff Assistant in Economic Development, she spearheaded the Steps-to-Success job fair, unifying city, county and state government agencies with private sectors in getting jobs to the community.  Soon after she accepted a position as former Mayor Autry’s Staff Liaison to the Human Relations Commission (HRC), matching civic issues with related City departments, organizing annual cultural events celebrating the diversity of the valley, and managing the grant-writing process of HRC sponsored grants.  After HRC was removed from the City’s budget, she served as Staff Assistant and Senior Secretary to Information Services, Fresno Fire/Suppression, Risk Management, Public Works/Street Maintenance, and the Airports Department.  As an employee of the Airports Department, she worked in Properties, Finance, and Marketing.

Lisa is the mother of five beautiful children.  She loves to read, cook, and travel. She enjoys any reason to spend time with family and friends, thrifts at every town she stops in and is always thinking of ways to combine her love of learning new things to help others.

Lisa.Henslee@fresno.gov
(559) 621-8355

Eriny Xiong
Intern

Eriny Xiong recently graduated from Edison High School and is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration at California State University, Fresno.

Fresno is Eriny’s hometown, and she is excited to take part in transforming the City into a better community. In her free time, Eriny likes to play sports and spend time with her family and friends.

Omar Acosta
Intern

Omar Acosta joined the Economic Development Department in 2022. He recently received his Associate of Science Degree in Business Administration from Fresno City College and is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Management at California State University, Fresno.

Omar is excited to help the community of Fresno with their business needs, and is passionate about assisting in the economic growth of Fresno. Kerman, CA is Omar’s hometown. He enjoys watching sports, and spending time with his friends and family.