Former High Point Economic Development Corp. Presidents Loren Hill and Sandy Dunbeck have – both separately and as a team – overseen economic development in that city for about a quarter of a century.

But that’s all changing on Monday, Jan. 29, when a new person will fill that role meant to draw positive attention and lots of business to High Point and the surrounding area.

Peter Bishop, the man who’s been named to the job, has been serving as the economic development director for the City of Burlington – so, he and his family won’t have to move far for his new job.

Bishop is taking the role from Dunbeck, who stepped down from the job late last year.  Dunbeck took over the city’s economic development efforts in 2020 after Hill had occupied the job for about two decades.  When Hill was running the show, Dunbeck – his right-hand woman – played a vital role in the successes, and the duo had nearly 25 years of big victories for the city – so Bishop will have some big shoes to fill.

However, everyone from top High Point officials to Hill To Guilford County Commissioner Carlvena Foster, have stated their expectations that Bishop can pick up right where Hill and Dunbeck left over.

Hill, who is now director of Carolina Core regional economic development,  had words of praise for the man who’ll take over the position.

“Peter is already one of the Carolina Core local economic developers in his current role with the City of Burlington,” Hill said. “I interact with him often.  He impresses me, and he’s well respected in state and regional economic development circles.”

At the Thursday, Jan. 18 meeting of the Guilford County Board of Commissioners, Vice Chair Carlvena Foster – who represents many constituents in the city of High Point – stated publicly that she’s been impressed with Bishop and has high hopes for yet more solid economic development for the city under his watch.

Bishop, who’s been in the economic recruitment business for over a decade and a half, got his start by bringing business to Currituck County.

He was born in Cleveland Ohio and studied economic development at Cleveland State University.

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