Chief Administrative Officer at Georgia Department of Economic Development
Mary Waters serves as Chief Administrative Officers for the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD). In this capacity, Mary advances GDEcD’s mission through the development of strategic plans and policies that enable employee engagement to ensure a streamlined and effective work environment.
Previously, Ms. Waters served as Deputy Commissioner of International Trade for GDEcD, overseeing the team that assists the expansion of Georgia’s exports and business growth through increased international sales, and supporting a resilient state economy. International Trade’s services include market intelligence, problem-solving consultations, and meaningful connections to key international opportunities.
Under Mary’s leadership, Georgia’s International Trade team earned an “E Star Award” for Excellence in Export Services for an unprecedented fourth time from the U.S. Department of Commerce in 2020. Mary served as President of the State International Development Organizations, Inc. (SIDO), the premier U.S. organization dedicated to supporting state international trade agencies and state development programs, from 2021-2023. Prior to her role as Deputy Commissioner, she managed the business development and market expansion initiatives in Latin America and Africa for Guided Therapeutics, Inc., a medical device manufacturer and exporter located in Norcross, Georgia.
Mary holds a Master of Arts in Latin American Studies from the University of Florida and a dual bachelor’s degree in Spanish and International Studies from Willamette University in Salem, Oregon. She speaks Portuguese and Spanish. Mary and her husband Mike reside in Decatur with their young daughter.