Staff & Bios

Jim Young,CEcD

President

972.562.5430 Ext. 104

Jim Young was named President of MEDC in 2011 after serving as Director of Business Development for more than 6 years. Young served as Director of Marketing and Redevelopment for the Plano Economic Development Board from 2000-2004 where he was responsible for the development of the Research/Technology Crossroads in eastern Plano and the redevelopment of maturing areas in Plano.  Prior to that position, he was Counselor Coordinator for the CCCCD's Small Business Development Center for Collin County.

Young graduated with a Bachelor's degree from Stanford University and a Master's Degree from University of Texas at Dallas. He also graduated in 2002 from the Economic Development Institute of the University of Oklahoma at Norman, and he earned his Certification in Economic Development in 2004.

Young was born in McKinney and served as Past-President of the McKinney Rotary Club, and a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International. He served for eight years on McKinney's Board of Adjustment, and he completed Leadership McKinney in 1999. Mr. Young was named Volunteer of the Month by the Heard Wildlife Sanctuary and Museum. He is an active member of the Texas Economic Development Council (TEDC) and the International Economic Development Council (IEDC).

Abby Liu

Vice President of International Development

972.562.5430 Ext. 105

Originally from Taiwan,  Abby Liu is Vice President of International Development for McKinney Economic Development Corporation. She joined the staff in 2010 to lead McKinney’s international economic development efforts and promote the city for international trade and economic development.

Prior to joining MEDC, Liu served as president of Applecore Inc. in Plano where she provided and assisted American and Asian clients (both public and private) with business development and marketing strategies as well as international trade promotion.

Liu also served as the Director of Business Development and Retention for the Economic Development and Tourism department for the City of Farmers Branch for 18 years.

Liu has her Master’s degree in International Management Studies from the University at Dallas and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English from the National Taiwan Normal University in Taipei, Taiwan.She also is a graduate of the Economic Development Institute of University of Oklahoma.

John Valencia

Director of Business Retention Expansion and Emerging Technology

972.562.5430 Ext. 106

John brings experience in management, manufacturing, distribution, high-tech and international commerce as well as knowledge of the McKinney business community to his position.

He was employed at Primo Microphones for 27 years, and held positions as General Manager and Vice President, Director of Operations, Plant Manager and Director of Sales, Marketing and New Product Development. Primo sells, distributes and performs assembly services in microphones and small speakers for the telecom and audio industries.

He has served on the boards of the Chamber of Commerce, the McKinney Education Foundation and the Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary. He was honored as an Emeritus Trustee for the McKinney Education Foundation in 2008, named 2002 Outstanding Citizen of McKinney, and also named “21 for the 21st Century” in the class of 1999 by Inside Collin County Business.

Back to Top