Menu
R. Christopher (Chris) Platé
Executive Director of Economic Development
Chris Platé leads the team of economic development professionals for Monroe-Union County Economic Development Commission, which executes business development initiatives for all of Union County and its 14 municipalities. Platé has been bringing jobs and investment to Union County and Monroe since 1999. Prior to coming to Monroe, Platé worked in economic development in York and Chester Counties, South Carolina, and as a business analyst for Moody’s Investors Service.
Platé is an expert at industrial business marketing and recruitment (specifically aerospace), product development, and economic cost-benefit analysis. He works with elected officials from all the municipalities and the Union County Board of Commissioners to increase job opportunities and capital investment in Union County.
Platé started the Aerospace Initiative in Monroe in 2002. Since then, the aerospace cluster has become internationally known and now employs nearly 5,000 employees among 24 companies within a 7-mile radius, making it the highest geographic concentration of aerospace companies in North Carolina. In 2016, Platé was named the NC Economic Developer of the Year by the North Carolina Economic Development Association. He also served as President of the organization in 2022-2023. Currently, he is a Board member of the NC Community College Foundation.
During his tenure in Union County, Platé has also served as Aviation Director for the Charlotte-Monroe Executive Airport for 9 years. He has also previously managed the City of Monroe’s Tourism, Downtown Development and Public Information Departments.
Platé holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from Clemson University, with dual minors in Law and Political Science. He is married with two children.
Ron Mahle, KPPAE
Existing Industry Manager
Ron Mahle joined the City of Monroe’s Department of Economic Development in 2005 and served as their Existing Industry Coordinator until being promoted to Assistant Director in 2009. Ron’s responsibilities include connecting existing manufacturing companies with resources available from local, state, and federal providers, as well as helping recruit new manufacturers to the community.
Ron has been instrumental in initiating the Monroe-Union County Manufacturing Awareness Campaign, a marketing effort intended to convey the positive realities of today’s modern manufacturing as a preferred career choice for young people. This awareness campaign is a true partnership among Monroe and Union County manufacturing companies, the Union County Public Schools, South Piedmont Community College, and Monroe-Union County Economic Development Commission.
Ron has over 20 years of municipal economic development experience. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science from Hiram College of Ohio and a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from Cleveland State University. He and his wife reside with their daughter in Mint Hill, North Carolina.
Rachael Holzman, NCCED
New Opportunities Manager
Rachael Holzman is a recent North Carolina State University, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences graduate. Joining the Monroe-Union County Economic Development Commission team in 2021, Rachael brings experience from her undergraduate studies in Agroecology & Sustainable Food Systems and Agriculture Business Management. A resource that will enhance the Economic Development Commission’s Agri-Business Initiative. She is also a recent NC Certified Economic Developer from the NCEDA / East Carolina University’s Certified Economic Development Program.
Rachael is a native of North Carolina and calls Union County her home. After interning with Union County Cooperative Extension Service during the summer of 2020 and working part-time as the Assistant Local Foods Coordinator while she completed school, she returned to the county full-time following graduation to serve her community.
Her passions and interests lie in supporting local agriculture and businesses and building the economic resilience of Union County. She resides locally and is a Union County Girls on The Run Association Board Member.
Megan Gibson
Resources Manager
Megan Gibson joined the economic development team in 2023. She brings various skills after working in the manufacturing sector, construction, and County government.
She is a product of Union County and a Porter Ridge High School graduate. She continued her education by obtaining a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina Charlotte.
She lives with her fiancé and son in the Town of Indian Trail.
Teresa Malcolm
Office Manager / Clerk to the Board
Teresa Malcolm joined Economic Development in 2021 after working in the healthcare industry for over 20 years, holding positions of Medical Office Assistant and Senior Administrative Assistant.
Teresa recently graduated from the UNC School of Government in Chapel Hill as a Certified Municipal Clerk.
Teresa moved to Union County from New York over 25 years ago and calls North Carolina home. She resides locally with her husband and daughter.
When relocating to or expanding your business in the City of Monroe and Union County, North Carolina, we are here to help guide you through the process.