Free for Attendees from Louisiana and Mississippi

Building Resilient Economies

In partnership with the Economic Development Administration (EDA), the Louisiana Department of Economic Development (LED) and the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA).

Presentations

• Introduction by Jeffrey Finkle (4.8 Mb)

• Critical Federal Funding Resources for Economic Recovery Purposes by Earl Randall (3.2 Mb)

• Critical Federal Funding Resources for Economic Recovery Purpose by John Broussard (421 Kb)

• EDA Programs and Funding Priorities by Beth Stinson (2.9 Mb)

• Financing through New Bond Programs and Effective Use of Incentives by Gregory W. Stype (6.2 Mb)

• Transportation Funding Opportunities by Eric Kalivoda (2.3 Mb)

• Mississippi Development Authority ARRA Stimulus Programs by Joey Deason (65 Kb)

• Louisiana @ Work by Howard Sanders (846 Kb)

• Economic Impact: Mississippi’s Workforce by Jeanine Lilly (6.6 Mb)

• Franlin-Southampton VA Recovery Program - Recovering from Hurricane Floyd by Mickie Valente (11.8 Mb)

• Small Business Financing by Gaye Frederic (1.1 Mb)

• Tapping into Private Sector and Foundation Funds and Other Fundraising Strategies by Arty Allen (3.8 Mb)

• The Role of the Private Sector in Building Resilient Economies by Stephen Jordan (650 Kb)

• Economic Adjustment and Diversification: An urban-focused case study focused on the St. Louis, MO region by Jay Moon (6.3 Mb)

• Louisiana Small Business Development Center by Mary Lynn Wilkerson (671 Kb)

Navigating through the numerous sources of federal and state funding to effectively support economic development efforts is a complicated task. In today’s recessionary climate with private funding sources drying up, tapping into public funding has not only become more necessary, it has become more complex with recovery, stimulus and new budget dollars available with different regulations, time frames, and monitoring requirements. Communities need information and tools to effectively channel limited sources of funding to the economic development initiatives where they will have the most impact.

Through a grant from the Economic Development Administration, IEDC has developed a one-day workshop to connect economic development practitioners, chamber representatives and their public officials with the various federal and state program representatives, foundations and experts to provide critical information on how communities can access funds for long-term recovery and use them effectively. This free workshop is designed to be interactive and provide tools and techniques to help communities access available economic development resources in these challenging times.

This hands-on workshop will cover:

• An overview of funding opportunities, eligibility criteria, guidelines, and examples of innovative use of funds from:
  -- Federal sources: Disaster Recovery, American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), and Federal Budget 2009 funds
  -- State agencies that have received allocation of Disaster Recovery and ARRA funds
  -- Community and corporate foundations
  -- Private sector sources
• Discuss opportunities and barriers of state & federal policies for the use of federal program funds and creative efforts to overcome obstacles
• How to align different funding sources for a comprehensive and strategic approach to recovery
• Insights on how to competitively apply for funding & other grant writing tips
• Discover how other post-disaster communities (urban and rural) have effectively leveraged funds to implement critical economic recovery projects and programs
• Identify critical resources to move forward with your community’s action plan for economic recovery
• An overview of guidelines and effective use of the new bond program from the American Recovery Act
• Review the G.O. zone and other enterprise zone incentives for business retention, expansion and attraction efforts
• Discuss best practices and effective programs in supporting small businesses in a post-disaster environment

Agenda

Speakers

Arty Allen
Senior Vice President, Business Development
National Community Development Services (NCDS)

Arty Allen offers NCDS clients over 20 years of fundraising experience. Initially a Development Director, then a member of the Project Operations Support Team at NCDS, Arty now contributes directly to the success of client projects through the role of Senior Vice President, Business Development. In this role, he not only develops new markets and new clients for NCDS but also facilitates the design of aggressive new programs for non-profit community organizations and plans and shapes the NCDS strategies for these campaigns. Arty has worked in communities of all sizes in all parts of the country directing successful projects that have raised over $100 million for a variety of NCDS clients.

Foundation funding of Chamber and EDC initiatives is one of Arty’s area of expertise. Foundations grant $38 billion each year. Arty will help your organization tap into this source of funding.

Arty cites as his most memorable campaign the Partnership for a Greater Greenwood (South Carolina), a project with multiple constituencies where his campaign efforts resulted in achievement of 150% of goal, on time and under budget. As a result, over 1,800 Greenwood adults are now mentoring area youth in a program designed to bring all fourth graders to grade level performance within only four years.

Arty’s high energy, enthusiasm, and leadership skills are further displayed through his involvement in non-profit and other community organizations. He served on the Board of Directors of his Rotary Club, the Board of Advisors for a community bank, and was a charter member of the Citizens Advisory Committee to his hometown police department.

A twenty-five-year resident of Atlanta, Georgia, Arty is a father of three children and enjoys tennis, golf, and many outdoor activities. He has a BA in Math and an MBA from the University of Houston.

John M. Brandon
Associate Manager Senior
Mississippi Development Authority

As Associate Manager Senior for the Existing Industry and Business Division of the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA), John Brandon offers to his clients helpful advice on current business thought. With it comes over 30 years of experience in a variety of retail-oriented business environments including corporate and store management, retail buying, consulting and teaching on the university level. Mr. Brandon received a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Mississippi and a Masters of Business Administration from Delta State University.

In addition to his work with MDA, John serves on the adjunct faculty of Mississippi College where he teaches in the School of Business. He also serves on the Incubation Steering Committee for the Appalachian Regional Commission.

John received the 1992 President's Award from the Cleveland-Bolivar County Chamber of Commerce and the 1996 Star Performer Award from the National Association of Small Business Development Centers. Married to his college sweetheart, Lea Anne, the Brandon's have one son, Jay, a senior in college.

Larry L. “Butch” Brown
Executive Director
Mississippi Department of Transportation

Brown is a longtime businessman and the former mayor of Natchez, Mississippi. He is a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi with degrees in management and marketing and served as an instructor in the school’s marketing and management department for seven years. Brown is a member of the Executive Committee of the Transportation Research Board and serves as President of the Southeastern Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (SASHTO) and Vice President of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). Other appointments include co-chairman of the International Trade and Transportation Institute, chairman of the Mississippi Transportation Institute, the Advisory Board of Mississippi State University’s School of Engineering and ex-officio board member of the Mississippi Main Street Association.

He has served on the Advisory Board of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and on the Advisory Board of the Mississippi World Trade Center. He has also served on the Executive Board of Directors of the Mississippi Business Finance Corporation, the White House Conference on Small Business, the U.S. Department of Commerce Industry Sector Advisory Committee on Trade Policy, and as former chairman of the Mississippi-Louisiana Bridge Authority, responsible for funding construction of the Natchez/Mississippi River Bridge.

O. Ray Cornelius
Partner
Adams and Reese LLP

O. Ray Cornelius is the Team Leader of the Public Finance Practice Team of the Adams and Reese LLP law firm. He is also a member of the Banking and Finance team and the Governmental Relations team. His practice is devoted primarily to public finance, banking and finance and matters relating to economic development.

Mr. Cornelius regularly coordinates the efforts of a team of Adams and Reese lawyers covering all aspects of establishing a new project including finance, real estate, labor and employment and environmental permitting. His work includes representing business and industry in the State in all matters relevant to establishing or expanding industrial and commercial operations, including public and private financings; tax and non-tax incentives; negotiation of project development agreements with State and local governments; and representation before various governmental agencies. Mr. Cornelius represents and advises a large number of public entities involved in economic development efforts including, at times, representing or assisting the State in the recruitment of some of the largest commercial, business and industrial projects in Louisiana, drafting legislation underlying the State's economic development incentives programs, and assisting agencies of State government and local governments in the formulation of regulations and policies relating to tax incentives and financing alternatives for new industry.

Mr. Cornelius received his Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctorate degrees from the University of Arkansas. He is licensed to practice in Louisiana and Arkansas. He is listed in The Best Lawyers in America (Public Finance Law).

Joseph P. Deason
Chief Financial Officer
Mississippi Development Authority

Joey Deason is the Chief Financial Officer for the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA). He began work with the agency in September of 2006 and brings extensive financial management experience to the team. His current primary responsibility is leading the Agency’s Administration and Financial Services Group that works to meet agency support and community financial assistance needs on behalf of the State of Mississippi.

Prior experience includes 18 years with Delphi Automotive Systems in Mississippi, Alabama, and Michigan. In these locations he served as Mercedes Financial Manager for Delphi Thermal, Global Finance Manager for Delphi Steering, and Southeast Financial Manager for Delphi Packard. In these positions his management experience included special focus on developing strategic initiatives, negotiations, development planning and value stream management. Joey attended Mississippi State University where he majored in Accounting.

Mr. Deason is a member of the Mississippi Economic Development Council, the Southern Economic Development Council, and the Mississippi Economic Council.

Jeffrey A. Finkle, CEcD
President & CEO
International Economic Development Council
Session: Introduction

Jeffrey Finkle has been a leader in economic development for more than 20 years. In August, 2001 he became the president and CEO of the International Economic Development Council, following IEDC’s birth through the merger of the Council for Urban Economic Development (CUED) with the American Economic Development Council (AEDC). Prior to the merger, Finkle served for 15 years as president and CEO of CUED. During that time, he oversaw the vast expansion of that organization’s membership and influence, as well as strengthening its financial footing.

Before assuming leadership of CUED, Finkle was the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Deputy Assistant Secretary of Community Planning and Development for program management. From 1981-86, he supervised the Urban Development Action Grant Program, the Community Development Block Grant Program and the Housing Rehabilitation program.

Jeffrey Finkle received a Bachelor of Science degree in communications from Ohio University in Athens. He then pursued graduate studies in business administration at Ohio State University. As President of IEDC, he also serves as CEO of the Association of Defense Communities, a membership organization that provides information, training and networking opportunities to assist communities in the economic development, conversion and reuse of military real estate. In addition, he heads the Bollinger Foundation, a non-profit organization he founded that provides support to children who have lost one or both parents who worked in the economic development profession.

Gaye A. Frederic
Chief Operating Officer
Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commission (JEDCO)

Gaye Frederic joined the Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commission (JEDCO) in December 1999 following 20 years in commercial banking. JEDCO facilitates economic development for Jefferson Parish, LA by designing, promoting and administering projects and programs for business retention, expansion and recruitment.

As chief operating officer of JEDCO, Frederic coordinates and is responsible for business financing, business incubators, accounting/budgeting, human resources and facilities. She is also project manager for development and marketing of the Churchill Technology & Business Park in Jefferson Parish.

Frederic holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Policy from Pennsylvania State University and a Master of Science in Industrial Management from Georgia Tech. She is a member of the National and Louisiana Business Incubator Associations, Jefferson Chamber Technology Committee, International Economic Development Council, Southeastern Development Council, Bureau of Governmental Research and National Association of Development Corporations.

She has resided in the New Orleans metropolitan area for over 30 years. Community and professional contributions include service on the boards of Xavier Triangle Community Development Corporation, Robert Morris Associates, Contemporary Arts Center, Historic New Orleans Collection, St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church and The Woman’s New Life Center.

William F. Hagy, III
Deputy Administrator, Business Programs
U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of Rural Development

As the Rural Development Business Programs, Deputy Administrator since July 1996, Mr. Hagy administers a combined loan and grant portfolio of over $6.5 billion and budget appropriations for fiscal year 2009 of $3.3 billion. This is done through the organizational structure of three National Office Divisions and a nationwide field organization serving the 50 States, Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and the Western Pacific Territories.

Under his direction, Business Programs are administered for the Rural Development mission area including the Business and Industry Guaranteed/Direct Loan, Rural Business Enterprise Grant, Rural Economic Development Loan/Grant, Intermediary Relending Program, Rural Energy for America, Biorefinery Assistance Grant Program, Repowering Assistance Program, Bioenergy Program for Advance Biofuels, Rural Self-Sufficiency Energy Program, Microenterprise Assistance Program, and Health Services Program.

Mr. Hagy has received extensive financial management training and is a recipient of the Vice President Gore’s National Performance Review Hammer Award for his efforts in streamlining the B&I Guaranteed Loan Program regulation, which reduced the number of application forms and automated the application process. Mr. Hagy was the recipient of the Secretary of Agriculture Honor Award in fiscal years 2003 and 2007 for Superior Service to the Department in the delivery of Business Programs. In addition, Mr. Hagy is the recipient of the 2007 National Rural Economic Developers Association President’s Award for recognition of his dedication, time, talent and expertise in support of Rural Development.

Mr. Hagy has also served in the capacity of Acting Under Secretary for Rural Development for January 20 – April 17, 2009 and Acting RBS Administrator from April 17-May 16, 2009.

Barbara K. Johnson
Principal
The Johnson Group

Barbara K. Johnson, board member and chair of the IEDC External Member Relations Committee, is principal with The Johnson Group, a New Orleans consulting firm founded in 2008.

The Johnson Group provides business solutions to corporations to help them achieve a greater return, impact and results from their community investments. As it assists organizations to rethink strategies, maximize resources and accelerate program implementation, it also brings to bear extensive knowledge, experience and networks in philanthropic, community and economic development.

Johnson has held executive positions in economic development and research at Greater New Orleans, Inc., the Downtown Development District, the University of New Orleans and the Bureau of Governmental Research. She directed the 2004 organizational merger of the New Orleans Regional Chamber of Commerce and the MetroVision Economic Development Partnership as Greater New Orleans, Inc., aligning key business and political leadership on a focused blueprint for economic development. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina’s devastation, she led the creation and implementation of an economic roadmap for the region’s renaissance, including helping to secure over $20 million in funding for colleges and universities in the New Orleans area to address the critical shortage of talent in key industries in the region.

Johnson holds a bachelor of arts in city and regional planning from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of New Orleans.

Stephen Jordan
Senior Vice President and Executive Director
Business Civic Leadership Center (BCLC)
(Affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce)

Stephen Jordan is senior vice president and executive director of the Business Civic Leadership Center, and has served in this capacity since the organization's founding as the Center for Corporate Citizenship (CCC) in May 2000.

Stephen leads BCLC's engagement with a broad spectrum of companies and chambers of commerce in the United States and overseas. He has produced numerous conferences, policy papers, and other projects and programs related to the fields of corporate citizenship, business and society relations, global development, education, disaster assistance, military quality of life, critical infrastructure protection, homeland security, and public-private partnerships. Some of the most notable coalitions he has played a role in launching include the Partnership for Critical Infrastructure Security, the National Cyber Safety Alliance, Business Strengthening America, and the U.S. Business Education Network.

In addition to his work at BCLC, Stephen currently serves on the U.S. National Commission for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the Board of Governors of the Corporate Responsibility Officers’ (CRO) Association and the New World Institute. Stephen is also a Caux Round Table fellow.

Stephen also serves on the selection committees for The National Governors Association Public-Private Partnership Awards and The U.S. Conference of Mayors Public-Private Partnership Awards.

Previously, Stephen served as executive director of the Association of American Chambers of Commerce in Latin America from 1997 to 1999. In the private sector, he has worked in the publishing industry and has a background in strategy, marketing, and new product development. He began his professional career as a legislative assistant for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Stephen holds an M.B.A. from Georgetown University and an M.A. in Political and Social Thought from the University of Virginia, with accompanying academic honors from both institutions. He is a member of Beta Gamma Sigma, the business honor society.

Eric Kalivoda
Assistant Secretary, Office of Planning and Programming
Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development

Eric Kalivoda presently serves as the Assistant Secretary in the Mississippi Department of Transportation and Development’s Office of Planning and Programming. His experience includes the fields of highway geometric design, traffic engineering, highway safety, and urban and statewide transportation planning.

Mr. Kalivoda is a licensed Professional Engineer in Louisiana, Arizona, and North Carolina. He received his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Louisiana State University, a Master of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Arizona, and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) from North Carolina State University. He is a native of Baton Rouge, LA.

Jeanine Lilly
Director, Office of Grant Management (OGM)
Mississippi Department of Employment Security

Jeanine Lilly is currently Director of the Office of Grant Management (OGM) for the Mississippi Department of Employment Security. She has served in this position since February 2008. OGM administers the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) funds the state receives and is responsible for managing WIA grants to ensure compliance with applicable federal and state statutes, rules and regulations. The office also oversees discretionary grant programs such as the Hurricane Katrina National Emergency Grant and the Momentum WIRED grant.

OGM maintains the participant data collection and reporting systems for WIA and Wagner-Peyser programs and designs, maintains and enhances the statewide Eligible Training Provider List. Jeanine guides the effort to develop a unified participant reporting system for WIA, Wagner-Peyser and Trade Adjustment Act (TAA) – WINGS. She is also a member of the Mississippi Momentum WIRED workgroup, Mississippi’s Transformational team and Mississippi’s NGA Sector Policy Academy team.

Jeanine has over 30 years experience with reemployment efforts at MDES, beginning as an Employment Interviewer in a local office. She has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Mississippi.

Jeanine resides in Madison, Mississippi, with her husband, who is retired from state service, and her daughter, who is a student at Mississippi College.

George Miles
Executive Director
Mid South Delta LISC

George Miles is the Executive Director of Mid South Delta LISC. He brings almost 20 years of experience in community development finance and mortgage banking to this position. Mid South Delta LISC provides comprehensive community development financial services to a 56 county area of Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi.

Prior to joining LISC, George was the Executive Director of Community Development Capital, a New Orleans-based affordable housing loan fund. From 1992-2002, George worked for Fannie Mae in Washington DC specializing in single family mortgage product development and credit risk structuring. Additionally, he has worked in banking as a commercial loan officer.

An Arkansas Delta native, George holds an MBA from Tulane University, a certification from the Graduate School of Banking of the South at LSU, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration/Political Science from the University of Arkansas at Monticello.

Jay Moon, CEcD, FM
President & CEO
Mississippi Manufacturers Association

Jay is the President and CEO of the Mississippi Manufacturers Association. The MMA provides a broad range of services to over two thousand manufacturers and their suppliers. Jay has over twenty years of successful economic development experience. Jay served as the Deputy Director and Director for International Development with the Mississippi Development Authority. Through Jay’s efforts, the state development authority received consistent recognition for its innovative business and attraction programs including acknowledgment by Site Selection magazine as one of the top ten economic development organizations in the U.S. In addition, Jay has successful community based economic development experience, having directed the economic, community development and planning programs for the City of Gulfport, Mississippi for many years. Jay has also held responsible positions with the states of Kentucky and Georgia.

Jay served on the board of the American Economic Development Council for two terms and he currently serves on the board of the International Economic Development Council. Jay is a Certified Economic Developer and a Fellow Member. Jay is the former President of the National Association of State Development Agencies. He is a graduate of the Economic Development Institute where he is an instructor on international trade and marketing in both the United States and Mexico. He is also the recipient of EDI’s Robert B. Cassell Student Leadership Award. Jay has an undergraduate degree in International Relations and a Masters of Public Administration from the University of Georgia.

Donald M. Pierson, Jr. CEcD
Assistant Secretary, Office of Business Development
Louisiana Economic Development (LED)

Don Pierson has served as assistant secretary and chief business development officer of Louisiana Economic Development (LED) since January 2005. His responsibilities include the oversight and implementation of key economic development programs, including industrial recruitment, existing business and industry support, and small business development.

A certified economic development professional, Pierson has 20 years of economic development experience. For 17 of those years, Pierson served as executive director of the Greater Bossier Economic Development Foundation in Louisiana’s Northwest Region. He was appointed by former Gov. Mike Foster in 2000 to the Louisiana Economic Development Council and in 2001 to the Department of Economic Development Reorganization Task Force. Four years later, former Gov. Kathleen Blanco appointed Pierson to serve as assistant secretary of LED, and in 2008, Gov. Bobby Jindal reappointed Pierson to continue his service as assistant secretary.

Pierson is past president of the Louisiana Industrial Development Executives Association, the Louisiana Chamber of Commerce Executives Association and the Shreveport-Bossier Home Builders Association. He was also a member of the board of directors for the Southern Economic Development Council, an organization with representatives from all southern states.

A graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Pierson served for five years as an airborne and ranger qualified infantry officer in the 82nd Airborne Division.

Paul Rainwater
Executive Director
Louisiana Recovery Authority

As executive director of the Louisiana Recovery Authority, Paul Rainwater serves as the governor’s authorized representative to FEMA and the state’s chief hurricane recovery advisor, providing direction and daily oversight of Louisiana’s recovery from hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav and Ike.

Prior to his appointment in January 2008, Rainwater served as legislative director and chief of operations for U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu, D-La. From 2006 to January 2007, Rainwater served as director of hazard mitigation and intergovernmental affairs at the LRA.

During Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Rainwater served as a critical first responder, managing the I-10 causeway evacuation for the first 36 hours. During Hurricane Rita a few weeks later, he served as joint operations manager for Calcasieu Parish.

From 2000 to 2006, Rainwater served as the chief administrative officer for the city of Lake Charles, managing 10 departments and serving as lead developer of a $90 million budget, in addition to coordinating state and federal capital outlay requests.Prior to his city governmental service, Rainwater served as manager of governmental affairs for Conoco, Inc., Gulf Coast Business Unit in Baton Rouge.In addition to his public service duties, Rainwater also serves as a lieutenant colonel with the Louisiana Army National Guard in the Joint Director of Military Support for Disaster Response Unit.

Rainwater earned a bachelor’s degree in government from McNeese State University in Lake Charles, a master’s degree in international relations from Salve Regina University in Rhode Island, and is certified as a local government manager by Louisiana State University.

Howard Sanders
Director, Office of Workforce Development
Louisiana Workforce Commission

Sanders, a Louisiana native and LSU graduate, returned to the state after having served as vice president of operations for Sonitrol Corporation at its corporate office in Dallas/Ft. Worth. He began his career with Sonitrol, a nationwide electronic security company, after graduating from LSU, and served as general manger of the company’s Baton Rouge and Lafayette operations. Sanders also has served as vice president of Sonitrol Management Corporation and regional director of operations for Sonitrol-Automated Security Holdings.

He has more than 15 years of management experience at the local, regional and national level. Sanders also has a broad background in successful team building and development in all aspects of business.

Beth Stinson
Management Analyst
U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration

Beth Stinson is a Management Analyst at the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration in the Austin Regional Office, where she has led efforts to identify investments in Louisiana following Hurricanes Gustav and Ike in 2008. Beth is actively engaged in project development and grants administration in public works and economic adjustment investments for the Regional Office.

Prior to joining EDA, Beth worked in government relations and mediation in Washington, DC, where she specialized in the development of public-private partnerships for national associations. She holds a B.A. from the University of Notre Dame and a J.D. from the University of Texas at Austin, with an emphasis in facilitation, mediation and dispute resolution.

Gregory W. Stype
Partner
Squire, Sanders & Dempsey LLP

Gregory W. Stype is a partner in Squire, Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P., resident in Columbus, Ohio. His practice focuses on the creation and implementation of public-private partnerships for economic development and area revitalization, including counseling clients on property acquisition strategies and options. He also serves as bond counsel on tax exempt and economic development financings. Mr. Stype has extensive experience drafting legislation and statutory amendments in support of these matters. He received his B.A. in Urban Studies from The College of Wooster in 1977, and his J.D. (cum laude) from The Ohio State University College of Law in 1982 where he served as Executive Editor of the Law Journal. He is a member of the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) and the National Association of Bond Lawyers (NABL).

Lynn Topel
Executive Director
Florida’s Heartland Rural Economic Development Initiative (FHREDI)

Lynn Topel has been the Executive Director of Florida’s Heartland Rural Economic Development Initiative, Inc. (FHREDI) & Florida’s Freshwater Frontier since 2003.

Lynn’s background includes 28 years with a Fortune 100 company spending much of her career in sales and management development. She left to join a small entrepreneurial company and to assist in their reorganization to a structured environment. She developed and implemented training programs for six departments, assisted in the creation of a new division and the development of a training academy. In addition, she assisted in the hiring and development of a management team.

Since 2003, Lynn has been instrumental in the creation of a regional housing consortium. She supported the development of a regional small business development group to further develop existing businesses in the region. She worked with four regional workforce boards to bring the state WIRED grant to the region in support of the REAL (Rural Entrepreneurial Action Learning) program for post secondary folks. She also worked with Florida’s Governor’s Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development and Enterprise Florida to create partnerships for a catalyst project in the region. She is presently working on a regional broadband initiative to increase the opportunities for a rural region to be connected.

After a three pronged hit in 2004 from Hurricanes Charlie, Jean, and Francis, Lynn worked closely with her local counties and communities on economic recovery initiatives. She has since helped to coordinate regional, state and federal assistance along with providing loan assistance to the business community through the state-funded bridge loan program. She has a B.S. in Business Administration and a M.S. in Human Resources.

Mickie Valente
Communications and Progress Director
The Florida Council of 100

Mickie led the development of Emergency Support Function 18 for Business & Industry at Florida’s State Emergency Operations Center and she serves on disaster response and recovery task forces and initiatives for the Business Civic Leadership Center of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the International Economic Development Council.

Mickie also is engaged in leadership roles at the state and national level to encourage and advance quality economic development and to coordinate the business preparation, response and recovery efforts by federal and state agencies. She serves on several Florida based, Gulf States, and national initiatives focused on enhancing economic disaster resiliency and recovery planning for business infrastructure. She is a frequent public speaker and facilitator on related topics.

She previously served as the Director of Partner Relations for Enterprise Florida, Florida’s primary economic development partnership, a role in which she coordinated the business response and recovery efforts after the devastating 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons that impacted the majority of counties in the state of Florida. She also assisted on site in Louisiana and Mississippi in developing business recovery strategies following the catastrophic effects of Hurricane Katrina.

She is a member of the Stakeholders Council of Enterprise Florida and serves on the Policy Advisory Board for the Florida Solar Energy Center. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Georgia and a Masters of Business Administration from Florida State University.

Richard T. Ward
Director of Economic Development and Regulatory Affairs
Association of Louisiana Electric Cooperatives

Rick Ward has directed a statewide economic development program for the Louisiana’s electric cooperatives since 1988, when he joined Cajun Electric Power Cooperative. On April 1, 2000, NRG Energy, Inc. acquired Cajun Electric as a platform for growth in the South. In his expanded role with the new company, Mr. Ward continued to support the electric cooperatives in economic development, and was additionally responsible for business development activities for NRG in Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Texas. He also managed the assets of NRG New Roads Holdings LLC, a subsidiary of NRG Energy. Mr. Ward returned full time to economic development and the electric cooperatives in January 2004 to assume his current position with the statewide office.

Prior to moving to Louisiana, Mr. Ward was the Executive Director of the Mid-Mississippi Development District from 1983 until 1988. He had previously served as Executive Director of the Tishomingo Development Foundation in Tishomingo County, Mississippi.

Mr. Ward is a graduate of Texas State University with a Bachelor of Business Administration and the University of Southern Mississippi with a Master of Science in Economic Development.

He is a CEcD and immediate past-president of the Louisiana Industrial Development Executives Association. He also serves on the national advisory committee for Touchstone Energy’s Business Development Group. Ward is a member of the IEDC and has served on the Board of the National Rural Economic Developers Association, the Southern Economic Development Council, and was President-elect of the Mississippi Economic Development Council.

Mr. Ward is involved in economic development continuing education, serving on the faculty for the New South Basic Economic Development Course and the Louisiana Community Economic Development Seminar offered at Louisiana State University. In his spare time, Ward officiates NCAA and professional tennis matches for the United States Tennis Association.

Holly E. Wiedman
Executive Vice President
The Beacon Council

Holly Wiedman has almost thirty years of executive management experience in Economic Development and has directed programs for Miami-Dade County, Coral Gables, Florida and Toledo, Ohio. Holly is the Executive Vice President of The Beacon Council, a public-private partnership that promotes Miami-Dade County as the “Business Capital of the Americas.” She oversees International Programs, Retention and Expansion, National Recruitment, Urban Initiatives, Research Strategic Planning and Marketing. Since its inception, The Beacon Council has completed over 700 new location and expansion projects, which will create over 51,000 new direct jobs and bring over $2.6 billion in new capital investment to Miami-Dade County.

Ms. Wiedman’s passion for Economic Development was highlighted when she received the State of Florida’s highest lifetime achievement award, The Eunice Sullivan Economic Development Professional of the Year from the Florida Economic Development Council and also as she received an International Leadership Award from the Miami World Trade Center.

Ms. Wiedman completed a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Miami, a Quality Management Certification from Florida International University and has developed expertise in Executive Management, Best Practices, Performance Measures and Strategic Planning. Ms. Wiedman is well known as an international leader in Economic Development and has served in the following leadership positions: Florida Taskforce on Biotech Competitiveness, International Economic Development Council (IEDC) Board of Directors, South Florida Workforce Board of Directors, Enterprise Florida Stakeholders Board, CoreNet Global Board of Directors and the University of Miami Launch Pad Board.

Mary Lynn Wilkerson
State Director
Louisiana Small Business Development Centers (LSBDC)

Mary Lynn Wilkerson is the State Director of the Louisiana Small Business Development Center (LSBDC), a nationally accredited program with nine centers located at universities across Louisiana. Each year, LSBDC provides one-on-one consulting and training to more than 10,000 existing businesses and entrepreneurs.

The Louisiana Small Business Development Center is an integral partner in the State’s economic disaster recovery efforts, working in cooperation with the U.S. Small Business Administration and Louisiana Economic Development to set up and staff business counseling centers during disasters. LSBDC provided consulting assistance to more than 5,600 small business owners after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

She is a member of the board of the national Association of Small Business Development Centers (ASBDC), co-chairs the ASBDC Disaster Interest Group, and spoke at the organization’s national convention on “Disaster Recovery: Where Do SBDC’s Fit In.” Wilkerson testified before Congress about the recovery efforts for small businesses following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Wilkerson was appointed by three governors to sit on the Small Business Entrepreneurship Commission from 2003 to the present. She completed the Economic Development Institute at the University of Oklahoma and her MBA at Northwestern State University. She brings more than 20 years of experience to public service to advocate for the small business community.

John R. Zakian
Senior Vice President, Strategy
GNO, Inc.

John R. Zakian has 30 years experience in senior management in local governments, nonprofits and economic development organizations throughout eastern United States. He currently serves in capacity of Senior Vice President for Strategy for Greater New Orleans, Inc., the regional economic development organization serving 1.3 million residents in ten parishes.

Starting December, 2005, he was a leading participant in an EDA funded Hurricane Recovery Program the IEDC administered to provide hardest hit areas in the Gulf Coast with strategic planning and capacity building expertise. Eleven challenging assignments have placed him in communities in Mississippi and Louisiana earning recognition for his work including a special Governor’s citation from Louisiana. He also served on special IEDC teams sent to apply recovery lessons learned in Gulf Coast to the San Diego wildfire recovery efforts, to Cedar Rapids to provide similar guidance after the devastating river flooding, and to Galveston in the aftermath of hurricane Ike.

His past roles include Westchester County, NY chief operating officer capacity, founding CEO for nonprofit economic development corporation serving New Bedford, MA., Assistant City Administrator for West Palm Beach, FL. and first full time CEO for the Yonkers, NY Industrial Development Agency. He has a MPA ‘with distinction” from Pace University, completed senior executive programs at Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government for Strategic Public Sector Negotiation, and Senior State and Local Executives, and earned the CEcD credential from IEDC. His expertise covers city/county management; creating 501(C)3 nonprofits; all aspects of economic development; and comprehensive grantsmanship.

• Economic Development Finance Programs
February 17-19 | Lansing, MI

• Economic Development Credit Analysis
March 3-5 | Los Angeles, CA

• Economic Development Strategic Planning
March 18-19 | Springfield, MO

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