Mulugetta Birru

Biography:

Mulu Birru President MGB & Associates, LLC Pittsburgh, PA Mulugetta Birru, Ph.D., M.B.A., M.A. is acting President, CEO of MGB & Associates, LLC. MGB is a full-service consulting firm focusing on real estate and economic development. Clients include Wayne County, MI, and McCormack Baron Salazar. From July 2004 – December 2008, Dr. Birru served as CEO of the newly formed Greater Wayne Economic Development Corporation and Director of the Department of Economic Development for Wayne County. Responsibilities included development of Pinnacle Aero Park near Metro Airport, and the introduction of the much-acclaimed Aerotropolis/Airport City project. He initiated the Wayne County China Program and was involved in business attraction and retention. Between July 1992 and July 2004, Dr. Birru served as the Executive Director of the Pittsburgh Urban Redevelopment Authority, and within this period he also assumed the dual responsibility as Director of Allegheny County Economic Development Department. He spearheaded over $4 billion worth of projects including the development of the stadium for the Steelers football team, the ball park for the Pirates baseball team, a brand new convention center, development around the airport, redevelopment of over 1,000 acres of former steel mill sites in to high tech parks, corporate and regional HQs, and other mixed-use developments. He initiated business partnerships with Chinese and Japanese cities for both the City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County. Dr. Birru taught graduate courses at the Heinz School of Public Policy of Carnegie Mellon University over ten years. Dr. Birru has served as CEO of the National Chemicals Corporation, Deputy CEO of National Beverages Corporation, Senior Vice President of the Agricultural and Industrial Investment Bank, all in his native country of Ethiopia. Dr. Birru holds a B.A. degree in Business Administration from Addis Ababa University; M.A. in economics and M.B.A. in finance both from Syracuse University; and Ph.D. in Public and International affairs with a focus in Development Economics from the University of Pittsburgh. (March 2014) Member Directory

Biography: Mulu Birru President MGB & Associates, LLC Pittsburgh, PA Mulugetta Birru, Ph.D., M.B.A., M.A. is acting President, CEO of MGB & Associates, LLC. MGB is a full-service consulting firm focusing on real estate and economic development. Clients include Wayne County, MI, and McCormack Baron Salazar. From July 2004 – December 2008, Dr. Birru served as CEO of the newly formed Greater Wayne Economic Development Corporation and Director of the Department of Economic Development for Wayne County. Responsibilities included development of Pinnacle Aero Park near Metro Airport, and the introduction of the much-acclaimed Aerotropolis/Airport City project. He initiated the Wayne County China Program and was involved in business attraction and retention. Between July 1992 and July 2004, Dr. Birru served as the Executive Director of the Pittsburgh Urban Redevelopment Authority, and within this period he also assumed the dual responsibility as Director of Allegheny County Economic Development Department. He spearheaded over $4 billion worth of projects including the development of the stadium for the Steelers football team, the ball park for the Pirates baseball team, a brand new convention center, development around the airport, redevelopment of over 1,000 acres of former steel mill sites in to high tech parks, corporate and regional HQs, and other mixed-use developments. He initiated business partnerships with Chinese and Japanese cities for both the City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County. Dr. Birru taught graduate courses at the Heinz School of Public Policy of Carnegie Mellon University over ten years. Dr. Birru has served as CEO of the National Chemicals Corporation, Deputy CEO of National Beverages Corporation, Senior Vice President of the Agricultural and Industrial Investment Bank, all in his native country of Ethiopia. Dr. Birru holds a B.A. degree in Business Administration from Addis Ababa University; M.A. in economics and M.B.A. in finance both from Syracuse University; and Ph.D. in Public and International affairs with a focus in Development Economics from the University of Pittsburgh. (March 2014)

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