Greg Word

Greg Word is a Managing Director at VisionFirst Advisors, where he works with states, regions, utilities, and communities to position themselves for real economic wins. His work sits at the intersection of workforce intelligence, site selection strategy, and market positioning, helping clients align what they have with what companies are actually looking for.

Greg specializes in workforce storytelling and applied labor analytics, going beyond rankings and data points to show how talent actually flows within and across regions. By translating complex labor market data into clear, site selector ready narratives, he helps communities compete more effectively for major projects and long term industry growth. This approach has supported projects representing tens of billions of dollars in capital investment across the country.

He also drives strategy and execution across economic development marketing, digital positioning, and business recruitment readiness. From shaping regional narratives to building data driven tools and materials, Greg ensures EDOs are not just prepared, but competitive, and positioned to win projects.

Prior to joining VisionFirst Advisors, Greg held leadership roles at the Greater Jackson Alliance, the Mississippi Development Authority, and the North Mississippi Industrial Development Association, where he built a foundation in business intelligence, regional strategy, and economic development operations.

Greg has been recognized as one of North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers by Consultant Connect. He currently serves on the board of Extra Table, supporting efforts to end hunger across Mississippi. Outside of work, he enjoys fitness, travel, and spending time outdoors.

Beyond his professional achievements, Greg is passionate about fitness, travel, and the outdoors. Committed to giving back, he serves on the board of directors for Extra Table, a nonprofit dedicated to ending hunger in Mississippi.