Deborah George

Deborah M. George has made a significant impact in the tri-state region of Massachusetts and the southern regions of New Hampshire and Vermont by introducing the second Walmart store to New Hampshire. She also developed the second Runnings store (a farm, fleet, and dry goods home retailer) in New Hampshire. Collaborating with notable architectural designers, including renowned artist Anatole Krasynyansky and highly trained retail architects, Deborah develops retail buildings that are both Smart Buildings and aesthetically enduring.

Deborah has established a unique retail corridor along the borders of Vermont and Massachusetts, situated in the sales tax-free state of New Hampshire, attracting numerous national and regional tenants to a previously under-utilized and under-recognized region of Southern New Hampshire. In recognition of her continuous contribution to the economic growth of this region, Deborah received a Commendation from then New Hampshire Governor Stephen Merrill.

At Walmart’s request and in an effort to foster further growth along the New Hampshire sales tax-free tri-state retail corridor, Deborah is developing outparcels at a newly expanded Walmart Supercenter location. Deborah also is currently  involved in various stages of development at three regional shopping centers in New Hampshire and Vermont, as well as a multi-family residential project in the Boston suburb of Somerville, MA.

Deborah holds an MBA in Finance from the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California (USC), where she also earned dual Bachelor’s degrees in Journalism and Political Science. To further enhance her expertise, Ms. George obtained postgraduate certificates from Harvard Business School in negotiations and real estate, and from the University of Provence in Aix, France. Notably, Harvard Business School features a case study on Ms. George’s successful negotiations with Walmart.

Before embarking on her development career, Deborah worked for U.S. Senator Paul Laxalt (R-NV) in Washington, D.C., and for Deane Dana, Chairman of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, where she served as the youngest Commissioner on both the LA County Transportation Commission and the Beach Commission. Additionally, Deborah was part of the Los Angeles Advance Team for President George Bush, worked as a field reporter for the Pasadena Star-News, and was responsible for publicity and tours at The Burbank Studios, now known as the Warner Bros. Studio.

Beyond a career in retail development, Deborah is  an accomplished Interior Designer, having designed prominent commercial lobbies in San Francisco’s Financial District and Beverly Hills, and numerous residential projects, one of which was used in two featured films the blockbuster “God’s Not Dead” and “Redeemed.” She is actively involved in community service, having served several tenures on the Board of Directors for the Junior League of Los Angeles and in Mannequins, a division of the Assistance League of Los Angeles. Deborah has also modeled for well-known California designers, including Rick Owens, Kevan Hall, French Rags, Talbots, Doncaster and the former Somper’s of Beverly Hills. A resident of Pacific Palisades, California, Deborah was a varsity giant slalom ski racer, ranked #2 in the state of Nevada, and a Nevada Junior Miss. She enjoys skiing, golf, and design.

Seeking to always give back and maintain her New England roots, where her grandfather was a founding member of Boston’s United Fruit Company and one of the first franchisees of Chiquita Banana in New England, Deborah continues to envision and develop under-utilized retail areas.