Randy Thelen is the President and Chief Executive Officer of The Right Place, leading the economic development strategy for the Greater Grand Rapids Region. Since taking the helm at The Right Place in 2021, the organization has supported the creation and retention of over 4,000 jobs and over $1 billion in new capital investment for the region. Under Thelen’s leadership, The Right Place has grown to support an 8-county collaborative in the Greater Grand Rapids Region.
Thelen joined The Right Place team in 2021 after serving as Senior Vice President of economic development at the Downtown Denver Partnership. Prior to his role at the Downtown Denver Partnership, he led the Greater Omaha Economic Development Partnership. His career began at economic development organizations in Evart and Monroe, Michigan, before he moved to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). From there, he was hired as the first President of Lakeshore Advantage.
Thelen earned a Master of Arts in Applied Economics from Binghamton University and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Alma College.