The county official who will oversee Oakland County's economic development programs serving Farmington Hills businesses started her new job Thursday, July 30.

Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter appointed Laura Dodd as deputy county executive, putting her in charge of the county's economic development and aviation departments and state government relations. She replaces Sean Carlson, who left earlier this year to run for Michigan Senate District 13.

The appointment matters locally because Oakland County's Economic Development Department runs programs that directly serve Farmington Hills, including the Shop Small Oakland County campaign, the Oakland80 workforce development initiative, and business attraction services. The county also provides resources backing Farmington Hills' Grand River Corridor Vision and the 12 Mile and Orchard Lake Corridors Study.

"Laura is a proven leader, having served in multiple roles in Economic Development since 2019," Coulter said, according to The Oakland Press.

Dodd, a Milford resident, has more than 25 years of experience in economic development and nonprofit management. She had served as deputy director of economic development for Oakland County since March 31, 2025, according to a county newsletter. Before that, she co-founded Oakland THRIVE and served as its chief operating officer from 2023 to 2025, helping implement the $17 million Business Forward small business assistance initiative that provided consulting and support to businesses across Oakland County, including in Farmington Hills.

Her resume spans decades. It includes leadership roles at the University of Michigan, the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust, and Cranbrook Institute of Science. She currently serves as president of the Huron Valley Schools board of education.

Dodd takes the role as Coulter's proposed $1.24 billion 2027 county budget heads to commissioners for review. That budget, up nearly $87 million from 2026, includes continued funding for Oakland80, the workforce initiative now under Dodd's portfolio, according to MLive.

Budget hearings begin Tuesday, August 4, at 1200 N. Telegraph Road in Pontiac. The Oakland County Board of Commissioners' Economic Development and Infrastructure Committee meets Thursday, August 6, at 9:30 a.m., and the full board meets Thursday, August 13, at 9:30 a.m. at the same address. Residents can attend or contact their commissioner to weigh in on county economic development priorities.