Sean Barr

Sean Barr is currently Vice President, Economic Development at the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation (EDC) where he is principally responsible for developing and executing an aggressive investment attraction program in support of San Diego’s key economic drivers and job growth strategy.

Sean possesses 14+ years of advanced technology focused economic development experience. Sean has spent the majority of his career supporting the growth of information technology, biotech, aerospace and clean-tech industries throughout North America. His international and domestic experience has involved the development and delivery of numerous entrepreneurial development and investment attraction programs in support of high-wage, advanced technology jobs. Sean has also been involved in the development of many local projects and initiatives designed to assist in the commercialization of new technologies which included improved access to capital and new markets for local entrepreneurs.

Previously Sean was Consul & Head of Office of the Consulate of Canada, San Diego where he was responsible for providing leadership on the planning and delivery of a high-profile, integrated program to advocate Canadian commercial, economic, and political interests and to develop innovative strategies for the identification and implementation of business opportunities in high technology sectors, in the San Diego area.

Prior to this, Sean was Industry Sector Officer, Information & Communications Technologies (ICT) Branch with Industry Canada in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Much of Sean's work focused on helping to support the economic growth and development of Calgary's ICT sector.

Sean's previous role also included delivery of Technology Partnerships Canada, an investment arm of the Government of Canada, where he assisted in completing investment deals involving emerging Canadian high technology companies.

Before his work with the Government of Canada, Sean was a Marketing Pricing Analyst for Winnport Logistics, an air cargo carrier based in Winnipeg, Manitoba servicing routes into Shenzhen and Nanjing, China. Until that time, Sean served as Trade Development Coordinator at the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce helping to support the exporting needs of Chamber members.

Sean possesses a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from the University of Manitoba.