City Manager Don Magner has announced the appointment of Chris Shacklett as Richardson’s Director of Economic Development. Shacklett has served as the Interim Director of Economic Development since February 2024.
Shacklett previously served as Assistant Director of Development Services-Planning since 2022. He has been with the City of Richardson for more than 17 years, having been hired as an Engineering Technician in the Development Services Department. He also served as a Planner, Senior Planner and Development Review Manager before being named Assistant Director. Prior to coming to Richardson, he worked in the commercial real estate industry for four years providing GIS, marketing, demographic and research support for The Weitzman Group.
“Chris has played an integral role in our development initiatives for many years, and I am excited to name him our new Director of Economic Development,” said Richardson City Manager Don Magner. “Chris’ vast experience in development services coupled with his deep understanding of our approach to economic development have proven to be a valuable combination, providing developers and businesses a unique resource that can offer guidance and support throughout their entire process. This was evident during his tenure as interim director, which resulted in numerous programs and projects being announced and advanced. I know that our economic development efforts are in good hands with Chris and his team.”
Shacklett will lead the Economic Development Department, which was created in 2022 when the City Council made the decision to change the City’s approach to economic development. The move was designed to better leverage essential economic development partnerships and opportunities. Prior to the creation of the department, the City of Richardson had partnered with the Richardson Chamber of Commerce for more than 30 years to provide economic development services through the Richardson Economic Development Partnership.
“It is an honor to be named the Director of Economic Development,” Shacklett said. “I have had a lot of positions with the City in my 17 years here, but these last seven months serving as interim director have been among the most rewarding. With the projects we have underway and those that are upcoming, big things are happening in Richardson.”
Shacklett holds a master’s degree in City and Regional Planning from the University of Texas at Arlington and a bachelor’s degree in Geography/GIS from Southwest Texas State University. He is a member of the American Planning Association and American Institute of Certified Planners.
About the City of Richardson
Located just north of Dallas, Richardson is a culturally diverse community offering a blend of urban amenities with exceptional suburban service. Richardson benefits from being home to The University of Texas at Dallas, a research powerhouse. UT Dallas’ influence is felt in the presence of dynamic businesses in sectors such as advanced additive manufacturing, biotechnology, finance, software development, and R&D, as well as hosting incubators for entrepreneurial start-ups. Richardson’s thriving, innovation-focused economy creates numerous opportunities while also supporting a historically stable local government capable of delivering high quality-of-life and exemplary services for a diverse array of neighborhoods and multi-modal transportation options, enabling easy access to the entire DFW Metroplex. The community is regularly recognized in third-party rankings as one of the best places in the nation to live, raise a family, start a career, go to school, buy a home, and retire.
