Mountain View plots new Economic Vitality Strategy

Experienced Local Government Professional to Lead Mountain View’s Economic Development Efforts

Mountain View, Calif. – City Manager Kimbra McCarthy recently announced the hiring of John Lang as Mountain View’s Economic Vitality Manager following a competitive recruitment process. Lang has over 20 years of municipal economic development experience, most recently with the City of Morgan Hill. His start date is May 17.

“John lives and breathes economic development, and he is very passionate about Mountain View’s future for both businesses and the community at large,” said McCarthy. “John has proven that he can successfully lead innovative projects and collaborate with businesses on solutions, especially during economic downturns. He has worked with global companies and mom-and-pop businesses as well as business organizations and community groups. He is ready to fully engage with developing and bringing our economic development strategy to life.”

“The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the need for cities to be flexible and adaptable in order to support the local economy and the people behind it.”

John Lang, Mountain View’s incoming Economic Vitality Manager

“Mountain View has an exciting past, present and future,” said Lang, incoming Economic Vitality Manager. “The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the need for cities to be flexible and adaptable in order to support the local economy and the people behind it. I look forward to working with our business community, the Mountain View Chamber of Commerce, the Mountain View Downtown Business Association and other community organizations to demonstrate why Mountain View is the city where you want to live, work, learn and play.”

Experienced strategist

In addition to working for the City of Morgan Hill since 2016, Lang served as the chief economist for the City of San Jose for 15 years and as an economics lecturer for San Jose State University for fourteen years. He has orchestrated three economic development strategies, most recently Morgan Hill’s Economic Blueprint for growing the City’s business investment. He also developed use tax programs for the cities of San Jose and Morgan Hill as well as directed San Jose’s Innovation Hub program with the State of California that supports emerging technology start-ups and entrepreneurs with growing their operations. Lang is the former chairperson for the Silicon Valley Economic Development Alliance and partnered with the San Jose/Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce and Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce in supporting local business growth through collaborative programs. He has a master’s degree in Public Administration, a master’s degree in Economics and a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Economics, all from San Jose State University in San Jose, Calif.

Future of Mountain View

In this new role as head of the Economic Development Division, Lang will lead a nimble team in the creation of a new Economic Vitality Strategy that will define the future of economic development in Mountain View. He will also support the City Council-appointed Visual Arts Commission and the Downtown Committee, and manage the City’s Downtown Parking District. In addition, Lang will drive the implementation of the Small Business Action Plan that is designed to assist Mountain View’s small businesses during the pandemic and strengthen their resilience for the longer term.

The Economic Development Division is responsible for the citywide economic development program that fosters collaboration and builds stronger relationships between the City, Mountain View businesses and the community.