Camille Lavon may be new to Allen County, but she’s no stranger to economic development. She’s bringing a wealth of experience and a listening ear to her new role as economic development director for Thrive Allen County.
With more than a decade of experience in workforce development and economic strategy across Colorado and beyond, Lavon’s journey to Iola marks the latest chapter in a career focused on growing communities by understanding their needs from the inside out.
“I’m on a listening tour right now,” Lavon shared. “My goal over the next six to 12 months is to meet with the companies and organizations already invested in Allen County to understand what’s working, what’s missing, and how I can complement, not duplicate, the good work that’s already being done.”
The 40-year-old comes to Allen County from the Colorado Springs area, where she served El Paso and Teller counties in a dual-region economic development role. Her work there included retaining and expanding major industries in manufacturing, aerospace and defense, and cybersecurity — all while building workforce programs and leading multi-million-dollar fundraising efforts for public-private partnerships.
Now in Iola, Lavon says she’s excited to apply those skills to a community that already shows promise. “I see Allen County as a place with immense opportunity — strong civic pride, beautiful outdoor spaces, and people who truly care about the future here.”
BEFORE stepping into economic development, Lavon spent 10 years in workforce development, acting as a program manager for an American Job Center in Colorado and launching training initiatives in both rural and urban settings. Her career includes consulting for the Washington Workforce Center, teaching in the prison system, and delivering the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) for veterans across western states.
In Colorado Springs, she was recruited to lead workforce efforts for one of the area’s five military installations. The Chamber and Economic Development Corporation there quickly recognized her value and brought her on board — a move she says helped bridge the gap between talent development and economic expansion.
During her tenure, Lavon helped raise $5 million in private funds to support economic growth. That campaign built a council of 80 industry leaders and funded a three-year strategy focused on job creation, smart development, and business retention. This work earned two gold-standard recognitions from the International Economic Development Corporation.
“I always say smart growth is the key,” Lavon said. “Growth is inevitable, but directing that growth in a way that matches a community’s needs, that’s what matters.”
LAVON holds a bachelor of fine arts from Emporia State University. After college, she taught English in Korea to pay off student loans, an experience she credits with giving her a broader appreciation for home and ultimately, bringing her back to Kansas.
“This was the only job I applied for,” she said of her recent job search. “I wanted to invest and ultimately settle here. I appreciate the people, the civic pride, the quality of life, and I appreciate that there are people who have a lot of hope and excitement about what this looks like here.”
Lavon has twin 8-year-olds, a 5-year-old, and a crew of pets including a Great Pyrenees, a cat, and a pink Chiweenie named Athena.
Lavon is settling in and eager to roll up her sleeves.
Her first major objectives? Build a framework that supports incoming investment, create an inventory of community assets and partners, and strengthen relationships across the region all while listening closely to the businesses and people who make Allen County what it is.
“If Peerless or Gates sat me down right now and said, ‘I am having a really hard time getting this widget, and I can’t make my widget without theirs,’ that supplier then just became my top priority,” Lavon said. “But for them to even consider our county, we have to have our infrastructure, workforce, and sites ready.”
LAVON NOTED that she’s not here to reinvent the wheel. She’s here to amplify what’s already in motion. From organizations like KansasWorks to leaders at places like the Humanity House, she’s focused on collaboration, not duplication.
