WDC Staff
YOUR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT EXPERTS
Chris Clifton
Executive Director
Chris Clifton brings over 35 years of economic development experience to the Watertown Development Company. Throughout his tenure, he as has facilitated numerous economic development projects such as site selection and development of new industrial land, facilitation of tenant/landlord real estate transactions in over 41 states, and the management of several non-profit fundraising campaigns – each of which raised over $22MM.
In this position, he leads the economic development organization and implements programs that facilitate the creation of jobs, quality housing, and economic growth throughout Watertown in accordance with the Watertown Development Company’s mission and strategic plan.
Chris is a Certified Economic Developer (CED), graduate of the US Chamber Institute of Organizational Management (IOM), and is a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho National Fraternity (AGR), Society of Industrial Office Realtors (SIOR), Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP), Urban Land Institute (ULI), and the Southern Economic Development Council (SEDC).
Contact Chris Clifton
Phone: 605-884-0340
Cell:605-880-6784
Email: cclifton@wdcsd.com
Traci Stein
Director of Marketing & Public Relations
Traci brings more than 20 years combined experience in business management and marketing to the Watertown Development Company. Traci is certified as an Economic Development Finance Professional through the National Development Council and is responsible for marketing Watertown and finding opportunities for retail and industrial growth, housing, workforce, and the development and creation of Tax Increment Financing Districts and Plans.
Traci joined the Watertown Development Company in 2008 as Director of Business Development and became Director of Marketing and Public Relations in 2015. She has been active on community boards and committees throughout her career at the WDC and actively continues her education on economic development through International Economic Development Council courses. Traci is a current member of the International Economic Development Council and the Mid-America Economic Development Council, and previously served on the board of directors with the Mid-America Economic Development Council (MAEDC) and the Northeast South Dakota Society for Human Resources Management (NESDSHRM). She holds a B.A. in Business Administration from Mount Marty College and M.S. in Information Systems with an emphasis in E-Commerce from Dakota State University.
Contact Traci Stein
Phone: 605-884-0340
Cell: 605-520-8020
Email: tstein@wdcsd.com
Molly Heaton
Director of Business Development
Molly joined the Watertown Development Company as Director of Business Development in November 2022. In this position, she establishes and directs initiatives that promote the growth, diversity, and quality of the area workforce to meet the business community’s present and future needs and serves as Administrator of the Watertown Workforce Advisory Council. Molly also develops relationships with company decision-makers and provides them with the resources they need to expand or relocate to Watertown.
An advocate for Watertown’s workforce, Molly has been an active member of the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) since 2014 and the Watertown Workforce Advisory Council (WWAC) since its inception in 2015, serving as its Vice Chair since January 2022. She will now serve as the administrator of the WWAC in her new role at WDC.
Contact Molly Heaton
Phone: 605-884-0340
Cell: 605-880-4819
Email: mheaton@wdcsd.com