About Us
Louisville Forward is an integrated approach to economic and community development, combining business attraction, expansion and retention activities, and talent and workforce attraction, with all of the city's real estate development, land use and planning and design functions to present a unified solution for job growth and quality of place. View our complete organizational chart.
Since Louisville Forward's creation in 2014, Louisville has welcomed $22.8 billion in projects announced, constructed or underway.
Learn more about our departments:
Leadership Team
Jeff O'Brien, Chief of Louisville Forward
Jeff oversees Louisville Forward, including the Department of Economic Development, the offices of Develop Louisville and Codes and Regulations. With these teams, he works to ensure Louisville remains a great place to live, work and do business.
Call him at (502) 574-1354.
Marilyn Harris, Director of Develop Louisville
Marilyn oversees operations for Develop Louisville and its three departments - the Office of Advanced Planning and Sustainability, Planning & Design Services, and the Office of Housing and Community Development. Develop Louisville focuses on the full range of land development activities, housing and community development programs, permits and licensing, public art, and clean and sustainable development.
Call her at (502) 574-3737.
Robert Kirchdorfer, Director of Codes and Regulations
Robert oversees the city's code enforcement, licensing and construction permitting activities. The department aims to provide quality and responsive code enforcement activities to ensure the public health, safety and welfare of all citizens and visitors of our community.
Call him at (502) 574-2886.
Benjamin Moore, Director of the Department of Economic Development
Benjamin oversees all economic development for the city. In his role as director, he works daily to attract new companies to Louisville, help businesses already located in our city expand, and support entrepreneurs.
Call him at (502) 574-1379.