Speakers

Tony Aggarwal
Director & Co-Founder
Kinetic Cubed Ltd
Manchester, United Kingdom

Tony career spans 25 years in business. Twenty of those years have been in the international arena, where Tony has been travelling regularly to a wide cross section of markets. Tony has thus been able to appreciate the economic development journey and trajectories of the various markets, particularly Europe, Middle East, Africa and India.

Tony’s career includes 4 years in business development with Eaton Corporation of Ohio, where he was involved in JVs and acquisitions in Europe / CIS. Tony has 15 years consulting experience to private and public sector bodies on the impact of globalisation, advising clients on how best to react and also being involved in the implementation of strategies at a practical level.

The last five years have been with Kinetic Cubed (www.kinetic3.co.uk) a business development consultancy, specialising in connecting clients to the high growth BRICs markets. Clients include Governments, Investment Promotion and Trade Development Agencies and private companies across Europe, helping them to understand the changing global landscape.

Tony holds an MBA from Manchester Business School, Masters in Economic Development from Imperial College London and a Science degree from University College London. Tony is a member of the Council of Manchester University and is a member of the IED in the UK.

Odessa M. Archibald
Region Community & Economic Development Manager
Georgia Power Company
Atlanta, GA

As a community and economic development manager for Metro Atlanta, Ms. Archibald supports the local communities through leadership development, strategic planning, existing industry retention and expansions, and with new companies considering an expansion or relocation to the area.

Odessa began her career with Georgia Power in 2003. Prior to joining Georgia Power she held several positions in economic development at Central Atlanta Progress, the Georgia Department of Economic Development and The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Preceding her involvement in economic development, Odessa worked in the public policy arena, including several years as a legislative aide in the United States Congress and at the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, a Washington, D.C. think tank. She is a member of the International Economic Development Council, the Georgia Economic Developers Association and the Atlanta District Chapter of the Urban Land Institute. Her civic involvement includes service on the board of directors of the Fulton County Boys and Girls Club and the League of Women Voters of Georgia. Ms. Archibald holds degrees from Howard University and Rutgers University, and a Certified Economic Development Financial Professional certification from the National Development Council.

Geoffrey C. Astles
Ontario County Administration
Ontario County, New York
Canandaigua, NY

Geoffrey C. Astles was appointed Ontario County Administrator in March 1999. He served as Ontario County’s Deputy County Administrator from August of 19997 to March of 1999, and was Director of Planning from 1980 – 1997. While serving as Director of Planning, he also served as a Division Manager to the County Administrator from 1985-1997 overseeing the Office of Economic Development, Sewer Districts, Landfill, Transportation, and all County Capital Projects.

Mr. Astles has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Otterbein College. He received a double major in American History and Government with a minor in Economics. Mr. Astles is currently completing his Graduate studies through Akron University.

Douglas Athas
Council Member
City of Garland, TX

Council Member Athas has been serving the city of Garland for one term. He says that when he moved to Garland in 1992, one of his top priorities was to get involved in his neighborhood and his community. He started, literally, in his own back yard by becoming active in The Greens Homeowners Association, and later the Garland Homeowners Coalition. He now serves as president of Texas Neighborhoods Together, a statewide educational and lobbying group for neighborhood and homeowner associations.

Mr. Athas served on the Garland Plan Commission for eight years. He worked to encourage not only quality development but smart development to help Garland enhance its community, as well as its tax base. He has also worked with many local business groups to facilitate re-growth in older business areas of Garland. He was appointed by the Council to serve on the Dallas Regional Mobility Council as Garland’s representative.

Mr. Athas enjoys traveling with his wife, Robyn, and son, 8-year-old Shae. The family likes to spend time reading and enjoying movies. Mr. Athas also helps with his son’s Cub Scout Pack.

Mr. Athas owns his own company, through which he handles the land acquisition, permitting and construction logistics for telecommunication companies to build communications infrastructures. Through his professional and community experience, Mr. Athas says he hopes to help those who run City government make solid business decisions.

Karla M. Auker, CPG
Brownfields Project Manager
Project Officer Superfund Division community and Land Revitalization Branch
Brownfields and NPL Reuse Section USEPA Region V
Westlake, OH

Darrell Auterson
President & CEO
York County Economic Development Corporation
York, PA

Gunjan Bagla
Founder
Amritt Ventures
Cerritos, CA

Timothy J. Bartik, Phd
Senior Economist
W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research
Kalamazoo, MI

Timothy J. Bartik is a senior economist at the W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research, an independent and nonpartisan research organization in Kalamazoo, Mich.

Bartik came to the Upjohn Institute in 1989, after seven years as an assistant professor of economics at Vanderbilt University. He received his Ph.D. in economics from the University of Wisconsin – Madison in 1982.

Bartik’s research focuses on state and local economic development policies and local labor market policies in the United States. Bartik is currently writing a book on early childhood programs and local economic development, which is scheduled for publication in the fall of 2010. Bartik’s other recent work includes an October 2009 report recommending a job creation tax credit for the United States, which has been covered in national news media..

Bartik has written two previous books: Who Benefits from State and Local Economic Development Policies? in 1991 and Jobs for the Poor: Can Labor Demand Policies Help? in 2001. He has also written numerous academic articles and is co-editor of Economic Development Quarterly.

Richard Batyko, APR, Fellow PRSA
Vice President, Regional Marketing
Executive Director, Cleveland Plus Marketing Alliance
Cleveland, OH

Rick has over 20 years of Fortune 100 and nonprofit communications, marketing and brand management experience. Currently he is serving as Executive Director of the Cleveland Plus Marketing Alliance. In this role, Rick is leading corporate, civic and foundation-backed effort to market the Northeast Ohio region, including Cleveland, Akron, Canton and Youngstown, to external and internal audiences. Notably, this is first regional marketing program to place business and tourist attraction campaigns under a common brand and the first to market four major MSAs together.

Rick has served as director of Communications for Babcock & Wilcox; as a director of Communications and Brand Management for AlliedSignal, as manager, e-Media and News Management at Honeywell International and most recently as Vice President for Marketing & Communications at The Cleveland Foundation.

Rick is a graduate of Ohio University’s E. W. Scripps School of Journalism and holds his accreditation with the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). In 2009 he was inducted into PRSA’s prestigious College of Fellows.

Brandon M. Belford
Recovery Act Team
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
US Department of Energy
Washington, DC

Dan Berglund
President & CEO
State Science & Technology Institute
Westerville, OH

Dan Berglund is the President and CEO of SSTI, a non-profit organization that leads, supports, and strengthens efforts to improve state and regional economies through science, technology, and innovation. SSTI is the most comprehensive resource available for those involved in technology-based economic development. Leading SSTI since its inception in 1996, Mr. Berglund has helped SSTI develop a nationwide network of practitioners and policymakers dedicated to improving the economy through science and technology. SSTI works with this network to assist states and communities as they build tech-based economies, conduct research on best practices and trends in tech-based economic development, and encourage cooperation among and between state and federal programs. Prior to joining SSTI, Mr. Berglund worked as a consultant and for the Ohio Department of Development in a variety of positions, including Acting Deputy Director of the Division of Technological Innovation. Mr. Berglund holds a B.A. in Economics and Political Science and a B.A. in History from Ohio University.

William E. Best, FM
Senior Vice President, Manager Community Development Banking, PNC Bank
Chair, International Economic Development Council
East Brunswick, NJ 08816

William Best joined PNC Bank in September, 2003 as Senior Vice President, Northeast Territory Manager, Community Development Banking in its East Brunswick, N. J. office. In this role, he is responsible for the Bank’s commitment towards the growth and prosperity of the low-moderate income segments and its communities, with a focus on economic development, affordable housing and neighborhood revitalization. He comes to PNC from his position of Executive Director of the New Jersey Redevelopment Authority. Under his leadership, the agency leveraged over $1.3 billion in economic development. investments. His twenty plus years experience in banking and business were acquired through an executive banking career whereby he developed, managed, and supervised lending programs for the major financial services institutions.

Mr. Best has been recognized with several awards. A graduate of North Carolina Central University, he did graduate studies with Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Banking Program, and completed the Executive Program at Harvard University’s J. F. K. School of Government. He has been affiliated for many years with the New Jersey Urban Bankers Association.

He presently serves on the board of New Jersey Future, New Jersey Regional Plan Association, the Newark Regional Business Partnership, and the IEDC.

Brett R. Bosley
Vice President of Technology Commercialization
Batelle Memorial Insitute
Columbus, OH

Brett Bosley leads technology commercialization and economic development for Battelle’s Global Laboratory Operations group. He is responsible for building on Battelle’s long history of commercialization from its Ohio laboratories and expanding engagement between industry and the Department of Energy national laboratories managed or co-managed by Battelle. In addition to supporting DOE’s missions in energy, climate, security, and economic competitiveness through the deployment of technology, Battelle catalyzes tech-based economic development, job creation, and entrepreneurship with laboratory resources and through Battelle’s Technology Partnership Practice.

Previously, Brett held management positions in the chemical & life sciences industry, most recently at Siemens Molecular Imaging Biomarker Research. He also served as the general manager of Callery Chemical, a fine chemical manufacturer. He has participated on the company side in M&A and venture capital transactions totaling more than $100MM.

Brett served in the U.S. Marine Corps. He holds an MBA in Finance from Carnegie Mellon University, and a BS in Computer Science from National University.

Tracy Hyatt Bosman, CEcD
Director, Strategic Consulting Group
Co-Leader, Clean Energy Practice Group
Grubb & Ellis Company

Tracey Hyatt Bosman is Director, Strategic Consulting with Grubb & Ellis. Ms. Bosman specializes in Business Location Services, assisting companies in finding the optimal location for new or expanding operations. Her specialties include incentives negotiation, global strategic business planning, and market analysis. Ms. Bosman works with a wide range of industries, including data centers, manufacturing, back office and contact center operations, and logistics. She is Co-Leader of Grubb & Ellis’ national Clean Energy Practice Group and a member of the national Data Center Practice Group.

Ms. Bosman is an experienced economic developer, having worked at both the county and state levels. Immediately prior to joining Grubb & Ellis, she was Vice President of Policy and Operations for Lake Count Partners, an economic development organization in the Chicago area. Ms. Bosman’s state-level experience was earned at the South Carolina Department of Commerce, where she worked as Senior Manager of Prospect Activities and as Manager, International Trade Development for North and Latin American markets. In her work as an economic developer, Ms. Bosman worked with world-class companies from all sectors and was intimately involved with their site selection processes, including incentives negotiation, labor market research and business cost analysis.

Ms. Bosman is an active speaker and writer, having most recently spoken at the Area Development Consultants Forum (Chicago, IL), International Economic Development Council Annual Conference (Atlanta, GA), the Mid-America Economic Development Council Competitiveness Conference (Chicago, IL), the Tulsa Area Partnership (Tulsa, OK), the Missouri Economic Development Council Spring Conference (Lake Ozark, MO). She co-authored an article entitled “The Future of Economic Incentives which appears in the February/March 2009 issue of Area Development and her article on clawback provisions in incentive negotiations appeared in the July 2008 edition of Site Selection magazine.

Dyan Lingle Brasington, CEcD, FM, HLM
Vice President of Economic & Community Outreach
Towson University
Towson, MD

Dyan Brasington is the Vice President for Economic and Community Outreach (DECO) at Townson University. In her capacity as Vice President, Dyan leads an initiative to create relationships and expand engagement opportunities for the University to meet the needs of community, private sector and government organizations, and to foster economic development in the region. Brasington has more than 30 years combined experience in economic development.

Prior to joining the University, Dyan served as the President of the Technology Council of Maryland, an organization that advocated for the development of technology driven companies. Dyan has developed and led government and private sector economic development agencies at the state, regional and local levels. Her experience including being the Director of Economic Development for the State of West Virginia, the Director in Howard and Montgomery Counties, Maryland, and in Prince William County, Virginia and as an Industrial Representative for the Florida Department of Commerce.

Graham Brisben
Primary
Professional Logistics Group, Inc.
Oak Park, IL

Sensing a market opportunity for objective supply chain consulting and management services focused on bulk commodities and industrial products, Graham formed PLG in 2001. Over the past seven years he has developed a team of more than 20 veterans of transportation and logistics with shipper, carrier, engineering, and transportation law backgrounds. PLG now serves more than 45 clients around the world with both strategic and tactical services aimed at reducing supply chain costs, improving operational efficiency, and elevating Client logistics to “best in class” standards.

Graham began his transportation career at Burlington Northern Railroad, performing operational and financial analysis in the areas of asset deployment and utilization, network optimization, and yield management. He later served as a Trainmaster at the Chicago, St. Louis, and Ft. Worth terminals, where he developed and implemented new management methods for terminal operations, including authoring the company’s first yardmaster operations manual.

Graham went on to serve as District General Manager for America’s largest bulk truck carrier, Quality Carriers, where he started and developed the multi-state Chicago District. In addition to full sales, marketing, operations, P&L, and safety responsibilities, he also started and managed new rail transfer and warehousing operations in Minneapolis and Chicago, and developed the company’s Standard Operating Procedures for bulk truck drivers handling plastic resins. Graham also opened and managed Canadian National Railway’s Chicago CargoFlo bulk transfer facility, and he helped CN implement new transload facilities in Detroit and Hamilton, ON.

Ian Bromley, FM, MBA, FMIEDC, FRSA
Immediate Past Chairman
International Economic Development Council
Toronto, Ontario
Canada

In September 2006, Ian Bromley was appointed as the first Chief Executive of Creative Sheffield, in Sheffield, England). Creative Sheffield is a City Development Company encompassing the activities of predecessors, Sheffield One (City Centre Regeneration Company) and Sheffield First for Investment (Inward Investment Agency) and building new capacities in marketing and branding, innovation and the knowledge economy, and regional economic development to create a comprehensive and effective company to transform Sheffield’s economy.

Mr Bromley joined Creative Sheffield from Toronto, Canada where he held a number of progressively senior positions in Management Consulting (Boston Consulting Group), Economic Development, Communication, Marketing and Innovation development in the private and public sectors. Most recently, Mr Bromley served the Government of Ontario, Canada as Director of Urban Economic Development, Director of Economic Development Strategy and Director of Infrastructure and Innovation.

Mr Bromley has also worked as a consultant, advisor and teacher in urban and economic development in Japan, China, New Zealand, Brazil, the United States and Canada.

Mr. Bromley is the Immediate Past Chair of the International Economic Development Council. He has been a long standing board member with the Greater Toronto Marketing Alliance, the Toronto Financial Services Alliance, the Ottawa Partnership, the Waterloo Accelerator Centre, the Economic Development Council of Ontario, and the Innovation Systems Research Network.

Paula L. Brooks, Esq.
County Commissioners
Franklin County Board of Commissioners
Columbus, OH

Paula Brooks currently serves as President of the County Commissioners’ Association of Ohio (CCAO) and as Vice Chair of the National Association of Counties (NACo) Energy/Renewables Subcommittee. Serving in this national leadership role, Brooks has worked to further the mission of the steering committee to establish and oversee Environment, Energy and Land Use policy for counties across the United States. In 2000, Paula was a Clinton Administration appointee by the Secretary of Defense as a 3-star civilian advisor on the federal Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services (DACOWITS) where she advised the Department of Defense on troop readiness and military families.

Since joining the Board of Commissioners, Paula has worked to make targeted, leveraged spending decisions resulting in sensible solutions for taxpayers. Her commitment to prudent financial planning has allowed Franklin County to maintain its double AAA bond rating so the county can borrow at the lowest available interest rates and make responsible investments in Franklin County infrastructure, while saving tax-payer dollars.

As a mother of two grown children, Paula understands the value of early childhood investments. As a Commissioner, she has led efforts to make child care more affordable for low income families and doubled funding for childhood programs. Paula knows too many children – especially economically disadvantaged children – enter school behind their more privileged peers. She worked with the City of Columbus and the suburbs, to provide safe, educational summer camps and programs for teens and children to ensure they begin the next school year with every advantage for success.

As a result of growing up on her family farm, Paula developed a deep appreciation for the environment that continues to influence her feelings on sustainability and shape her policy decisions. Paula has championed the cause of environmental protection, highlighted by the adoption of a new “green” policy in 2006. This new policy solidified the county’s commitment to the mutually compatible goals of environmental protection and economic growth, and then-Commission President Brooks requested that the County imbed environmental sustainability into decision-making. This proactive measure guides the actions of the Commissioners and helps Paula work with other community partners to successfully advance important environmental initiatives such as the Big Darby Accord that protects a vital watershed.

Ronnie L. Bryant, CEcD, FM, HLM
President & CEO
Charlotte Regional Partnership
Charlotte, NC

As President and CEO of the Charlotte Regional Partnership, Ronnie Bryant leads the economic development organization that promotes the 16-county Charlotte region as a premier location for businesses considering expansion or relocation. Bryant is nationally known for his proven track record of establishing and implementing successful economic development programs, with a strong emphasis on existing industry expansion and retention, regionalism and marketing.

Prior to joining CRP, Bryant served as President and Chief Operating Officer of the Pittsburgh Regional, Senior Vice President of the Economic Development Division for the St. Louis Regional Chamber & Growth Association and led the development team at the Shreveport, LA., Chamber of Commerce.

Bryant is a graduate of Louisiana State University in Shreveport and the Economic Development Institute (EDI). He is a recipient of the American Economic Development Council’s (IEDC) Robert B. Cassell Leadership Award for excellence in leadership and scholarship. He is a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) and currently serves as a member of EDI’s Board of Directors and is immediate past president of that organization. Bryant is actively involved with the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), where he has been designated as a Fellow Member (FM) and currently serves as Past Chairman of the Board.

Steven J. Budd, FM
President
CityWide Development Corp.
Dayton, OH

Steve Budd is President of CityWide Development Corporation, a position he has held since 1989. The mission of CityWide Development is to provide leadership in the creation and implementation of strategies addressing the city’s need for economic growth and viable, attractive neighborhoods. CityWide, along with other partners including the City of Dayton, is the developer for Rehabarama, Citirama, the Genesis and Phoenix projects (neighborhood real estate and home show projects), and is implementing the Dayton regional Tech Town cluster development strategy. CityWide’s services include financing programs for economic and housing development, venture capital investment, real estate development, strategic development planning, consumer credit counseling, financial feasibility studies and site location analysis.

Mr. Budd is a past Chair of the International Economic Development Council, the Montgomery County Historical Society, and currently chairs the Dayton Ballet Association. He holds a B.S. in Political Science and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Dayton

Edward Burghard
Retired Harley Procter Marketer, Procter & Gamble
Executive Director, Ohio Business Development Coalition
Columbus, OH

Ed Burghard serves as the Executive Director of the Ohio Business Development Coalition, a not-for-profit marketing company with the mission of creating a globally competitive and sustainable Ohio brand. He is also a Harley Procter Marketer at the Procter & Gamble Company, an award conferred on P&G employees who are considered masters in the practical application of marketing theory. Along with his interests in branding Ohio and its communities, Ed is a frequent speaker and commentator on “Brand America”, expressing our need as a nation to return to the values important to us. His website www.StrengtheningBrandAmerica.com is an economic development professional community of practice that provides insight in the successful reapplication of product and corporate branding principles to market communities and states. Ed holds a B.A. in theoretical mathematics from the State University of New York at Potsdam and a MBA from Syracuse University with focuses in innovation management and marketing.

Judith A. Canales
Administrator, Business & Cooperative Programs
USDA Rural Development
Washington, DC

Judith A. Canales has over twenty years of experience working at the national and local levels in federal and local government administration and nonprofit management. Her expertise is rural and urban development, housing, community development and economic development. She is also experienced in U.S. - Mexico border public policy issues and development.

In May 2009, Ms. Canales was appointed by President Barack Obama to the position of Administrator for Rural Business and Cooperative Programs in the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development. She is responsible for overseeing the national rural business and cooperative programs portfolio for USDA with a budget of over $1 billion.

Ms. Canales previously served as the Executive Director for the Maverick County Development Corporation facilitating economic development for Eagle Pass and Maverick County, Texas.

Ms. Canales also served as an adjunct faculty member of Southwest Texas Junior College where she taught U.S. and Texas Government. She is also a consultant specializing in government relations, grant writing, and leadership training for nonprofit organizations.

Ms. Canales was the first Executive Director of the International Hispanic Network, an organization of city managers and professionals. She was the Director of Human Resources for the Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino, Special Projects Director for Sul Ross State University- Rio Grande College and served as the Assistant City Manager for the City of Eagle Pass.

Ms. Canales was appointed by President Bill Clinton as the Acting Associate Administrator for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Business-Cooperative Service in Washington, D.C. She was the Deputy State Director for the USDA Rural Development Texas Office. The Texas State Office administers the rural housing, utilities, business, and community development programs.

Ms. Canales worked in Washington, D.C. as the Legislative Officer in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Legislation. She served as Legislative Representative in the Washington, D.C. office of New York City Mayor David N. Dinkins. She worked for the Low Income Housing Information Service and the National Council of La Raza. She co-authored the NCLR policy report, “The Hispanic Housing Crisis.”

C.R. “Buzz” Canup, PhD
President
Canup & Associates, Inc.
Simpsonville, SC

Dr. Canup, founder and President of Canup & Associates, Inc., has over thirty-years of business management and consulting experience working with world-class corporations on a global basis. He has provided a broad range of professional services, including: feasibility studies, strategic planning, site location studies, incentives negotiations, property acquisition, permitting and zoning, engineering and construction management, workforce recruitment and development, and project implementation. He has also held executive level positions in college administration, human resource development, personnel management, business development, and marketing. Dr. Canup has experience in both the public and private sectors, and has managed and executed projects both domestically and internationally. He has lived abroad on two separate assignments.

Prior to forming his firm in early 2000, Buzz spent twenty-years with Fluor Corporation in various executive positions. His last position with Fluor was Managing Director, Global Location Strategies, the site selection and economic development consulting arm of the company. He has led major site location studies for major corporations around the world with capital investment values ranging from over $4 billion to less than $5 million. The types of projects have been diversified, and have included manufacturing, headquarters, research and development, and data centers. Dr. Canup also provides economic development consulting to states, regions and communities, and has performed “Reverse Consulting” for multiple projects to assist states and communities in recruiting mega-projects to their locations.

Dr. Canup is frequently invited to make presentations at national and international conferences and workshops, and has addressed over a dozen professional organizations in the past couple of years. Buzz is interviewed and quoted frequently by national and regional news media, and has published several articles in national and international economic development magazines.

Buzz received both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree from Clemson University, and holds a Doctorate from North Carolina State University.

Dan Carmody
President
Detroit Eastern Market Corporation
Detroit, MI

Benefiting from a schizophrenic youth split between the west side of Chicago and western Iowa Carmody developed a keen appreciation for central cities and Main Streets. Schooled as a city planner in the Midwest and the North of England, Carmody is a devoted urbanist with special interest in regenerating depressed local economies.

Carmody led Renaissance Rock Island (IL) from 1988 to 2005 which began with a staff of 1.5 and a budget of $70,000 and grew into an organization with a staff of 14 and an annual budget exceeding $3,000,000. Today Renaissance Rock Island is one the leading community-based development organizations in the nation.

Since 2007 Carmody has served a President of Detroit’s Eastern Market Corporation (EMC) where he leads the non-profit entity charged with converting one of the nation’s oldest and largest public markets into a healthy urban food hub.

Eastern Market seeks to build the MOO Food Shed (Michigan, Ontario, Ohio) into the nation’s most robust regional food system by building alternative distribution methods to address food access issues in underserved communities, by fostering a new generation of local food processing to increase food sector employment and create new markets for food that will be grown in the City of Detroit, and by further enhancing Eastern Market as a compelling retail food destination.

Since 1891, Eastern Market has been the place in Detroit where food and local food cultures have been celebrated. While the celebration must continue, Eastern Market’s emerging role as a healthy food hub requires a slight shift to integrate more programming, education, and counseling to engage people about the importance of eating more fruits, vegetables, and nutritionally dense meals.

Jana Chalfant
Director, Economic Development Services
Boise Valley Economic Partnership
Boise, ID

Jana Chalfant is currently the Director of Economic Development Services for the Boise Valley Economic Partnership in Boise Idaho. She has worked at BVEP since 2006 doing project management, marketing and public relations and regional sales and representation.

Prior to coming to BVEP, Jana has worked in the economic development field at the State of Idaho, Department of Commerce as Marketing Manager for Economic Development Division. She also has an extensive background in the private sector as President/Owner of Silver Creek Inc, a regional distributor of fresh produce in Idaho and Utah for 12 years.

Jana is also involved with the Idaho Economic Development Association. She was recently voted in as President-elect for 2010 and has been on the Board of Directors for 3 years. She is an alumnus of Leadership Idaho Agriculture and volunteers at local charitable events such as Idaho Special Olympics World Winter Games 2009.

Jana has earned a double major in Public Relations and Advertising at the University of Idaho in 1985 and is married with three children in Eagle Idaho.

David W. Cheney
Director, Science and Technology Policy Program
Center for Science, Technology, and Economic Development
SRI International
Arlington, VA

David Cheney is the Director of the Center for Science, Technology, and Economic Development in the Washington, DC office of SRI International. He has over 25 years of experience working across a broad range of science and technology policy areas, including innovation policy, international competitiveness, technology-based economic development, technology transfer, strategic planning, program evaluation, science and engineering education, and other areas. He has worked extensively in Japan and in the Mideast. He previously served as vice president of the Internet Policy Institute and he held several senior executive positions at the U.S. Department of Energy in the Clinton Administration, including executive director of the Secretary of Energy Advisory Board and Associate Deputy Under Secretary for Technology Partnerships. Prior to that, he worked at the Council on Competitiveness, the Competitiveness Policy Council, the Optoelectronics Industry Development Association, and the Congressional Research Service. Dr. Cheney received a Ph.D. in Public Policy from George Mason University, a M.S. in Technology and Policy from MIT, and a B.S. in Geology and Biology from Brown University.

David L. Chicoine, PhD
President
South Dakota State University
Brookings, SD

David L. Chicoine became the 19th president of South Dakota State University (SDSU) in January, 2007 and the third alumnus to serve as president of the institution. SDSU is South Dakota’s land-grant university and the state’s largest comprehensive university.

As a policy economist in state and local public finance and rural economics, Professor Chicoine has co-authored/co-edited four books and published over 100 academic journal articles, book chapters, and professional papers. He serves on the Board of Directors of Growth Partnership, Ltd., the public-private partnership developing the research park SDSU Innovation Campus and as an ex officio member of the Board of Managers of South Dakota Innovation Partners, LLC. that provides pre-seed capital and business development services to launch research-derived new technology-based start-up projects. He is an independent director on the Board of Monsanto Company.

Professor Chicoine has served on several boards including the John Warner Bank, the Carle Foundation Hospital, Farm Foundation, DuPage International Technology Park, the Illinois Technology Development Fund and Argonne National Laboratory. He is the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including, the Chevalier of the French National Order of Merit, Government of France, the USDA Superior Service Award and the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the SDSU Department of Economics.

A native of Elk Point, South Dakota, he graduated from South Dakota State University, the University of Delaware, Western Illinois University and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with B.S., M.S., M.A. and PhD degrees, respectively.

Susan Christopherson, PhD
J. Thomas Clark Professor, City & Regional Planning
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY

Susan Christopherson is J. Thomas Clark Professor in the Department of City and Regional Planning at Cornell University. She is an economic geographer (Ph.D., U.C. Berkeley) whose research and teaching focus on 1) economic development, 2) urban labor markets, and 3) location patterns in service industries, particularly the media industries. Her research includes both international and U.S.-policy-oriented projects. Her international research includes studies in Canada, Mexico, China, Germany, and Jordan as well as multi-country studies. In the past three years she has completed studies on 1) advanced manufacturing in New York’s Southern Tier, 2) the photonics industry in Rochester, 3) the role of universities and colleges in revitalizing the upstate New York economy, and 4) production trends affecting media industries in New York City. Her book, Re-making Regional Economies: Labor, Power and Firm Strategies in the Knowledge Economy (Routledge 2007) focuses on barriers to regional economic development in the U.S. economy. It was awarded the 2009 Best Book award by the Regional Studies Association. She has written over 50 articles and 25 policy reports on topics in economic geography and economic development. Her current projects include studies of phoenix industries in old industrial regions and entrepreneurship in creative industries.

Dennis G. Coleman, CEcD, FM
President & CEO
Saint Louis County Economic Council
Saint Louis, MO

Dennis G. (Denny) Coleman is the president & CEO of St. Louis County Economic Council. Prior to his present position, Coleman was director of development for the City of St. Louis, being in charge of the city’s neighborhood, housing and economic development efforts. He also has served as vice-president for community development at Mercantile Bank when the bank’s community development corporation won national Fair Housing awards and a Private Sector Initiatives Award from the White House. He also was the founding director of the DeSales Housing Corporation, a non-profit, neighborhood-based organization. St. Louis County Economic Council is a not-for-profit economic development organization responsible for creating high quality business and employment opportunities for long-term diversified growth throughout St. Louis County and the St. Louis region. Mr. Coleman has a master’s degree in urban and regional planning from the University of Wisconsin and a bachelor’s degree in urban geography from St. Louis University. He also has completed the Senior Executives Program at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and serves on the national board of directors of the International Economic Development Council.

Honorable Michael B. Coleman
Mayor
City of Columbus, OH

Since taking office in 2000, Mayor Michael B. Coleman’s core focus has been building stronger, safer neighborhoods and creating jobs by continuing to improve Columbus’ high quality of life. Mayor Coleman was first elected in 1999, re-elected in 2003 and won a third term in November 2007.

Mayor Coleman has leveraged incentives to create and retain more than 65,000 jobs and bring more than $4.5 billion in private investment to Columbus throughout his tenure. Growing companies enjoy an educated workforce from 18 regional colleges and universities. Columbus is centrally located to national markets and a growing transportation, distribution and logistics hub. The city, currently the 16th largest in America, is also growing as a retail hub.

Mayor Coleman initiated Neighborhood Pride, a proactive effort to engage residents and businesses to fix up thousands of homes and clean up their neighborhoods. Mayor Coleman adopted a Pay As We Grow annexation policy requiring developers to bear the costs of extending water, sewer and electricity. Under the mayor’s leadership, Columbus has reinvested in older Columbus neighborhoods.

In 2006, the mayor created the Home Again program and set aside $25 million to acquire, rehab and tear down vacant and abandoned houses in Columbus neighborhoods. To date, more than 600 homes have been impacted. In 2007, Mayor Coleman created the Affordable Housing Trust Corporation to provide more housing options to inner-city residents. He has increased the development of new homes for families, spurring construction through city incentives of more than 12,500 new housing units.

Mayor Coleman worked with business leaders to start a massive Downtown revitalization initiative. Since 2002 more than 5,000 new apartments and condos have been built or are under development, a new Downtown park system is being designed, 3,000 jobs have been moved into Downtown, and there has been more than $2.18 billion in new investment. In addition, the long-vacant former City Center mall site is being developed into Columbus Commons, a central park space with opportunities for business, residential and retail development.

Under Mayor Coleman’s leadership, the City of Columbus has been recognized as one of the 10 best large cites and one of the 10 most affordable metro areas by RelocateAmerica. It was recognized as the nation’s 8th best place to live by CNN and Money magazine, which also declared Columbus as the nation’s safest big city. Forbes Magazine has recognized Columbus as the top up-and-coming tech city and the top city in which to retire. Columbus regularly makes top rankings as a hot destination for relocation of businesses: In December of 2008 it was ranked as the 7th best metro area for business by WSJ MarketWatch; in June 2008 it was ranked the 7th best city for high-impact companies by the U.S. Small Business Administration; it was ranked as the 3rd “Big City of the Future” by international fDi Magazine and the 4th “most business friendly.” In addition, Columbus continues to earn top rankings for its stable housing market, affordability, and as a top city for African-Americans, young professionals, and members of the GLBT community.

James C. Collard, PhD
Director of Planning and Economic Development
Citizen Potawatomi Nation
Shawnee, OK

James C. Collard currently serve as Director of Planning and Economic Development for the Citizen Potawatomi Nation and as a member of the Oklahoma Indian Affairs Commission Advisory Committee. Dr. Collard’s previous experience includes seventeen years in city management and five years as an executive in the environmental services industry.

Dr. Collard has chaired the Morgan County, CO Economic Development Corporation and served on the Executive Committee of the St. Charles County, MO Economic Development Corporation. He has facilitated and packaged numerous economic development projects and agreements. Guided the development of a community-based Fiscal Impact Tool and a Computable General Equilibrium Model. Accompanied Missouri Governor on a trade mission to Asia, and traveled extensively internationally on business and as part of two Citizen Ambassador delegations. Dr. Collard currently serves on the Oklahoma Governor’s International Team.

Charlene Coulombe-Fiore, CEcD, EDFP
Executive Director
Montgomery Economic Development Corporation
Montgomery, IL

Charlene Coulombe-Fiore started her career in Economic Development back in the late 80’s, after working for one of the largest banks in Chicago, Illinois, Continental Bank. She worked full time at the bank for over 12 years, while pursuing her education at DePaul University. When the bank was sold and divided into various pieces, she found being on top was not always the best place to be. She watched the bank struggle over the years staying on top, until the bank eventually dissolved.

She welcomed her first position in Economic Development with open arms and excitement. This “new job” was recently created and she was provided with Federal Funds to help rebuild this Chicago suburb. The Town of Cicero had lost over 9,000 jobs in a three year period. Having been declared “economically depressed” by the Federal government, she looked at this position with a new set of eyes. When you’re at the top, there is nowhere to go but down. However, when you are at the bottom, there is nowhere to go but up!!!

After serving the Town of Cicero for 7 years, helping to rebuild and re-occupy their vacant storefronts and manufacturing buildings, she moved onto a more rural suburb in Bolingbrook, Illinois.

In Bolingbrook, she was able to work with a variety of vacant & raw land opportunities. It was no longer about re-development and “re-fitting” into current buildings. The opportunity to start from scratch was a whole new adventure. Her career blossomed and construction and economic development was more than just new word public officials talked about. For several years in a row, we were doing over three million square feet a year. Things were so exciting, until the majority of the land available was either occupied or owned by developers.

After six and a half years, Charlene moved onto several County positions including Winnebago, County and Chippewa County, in Northern Wisconsin. This brought in a new perspective working with management, zoning and County government.

Charlene was certified by the National Development Council in 1990 with her CEDFP, Certified Economic Development Financial Certificate. She attended the University of Oklahoma’s Economic Development Institute and graduated EDI in 2000, Charlene continued her Economic Development education through AEDC and was certified with her CEcD in 2005 and re-certified in 2008.

Charlene currently works for the Montgomery Economic Development Corporation, as their Executive Director. The Village of Montgomery is nestled along the Fox River between Aurora, Illinois and Naperville, Illinois.

Tanny Crane
President & CEO
Crane Group
Columbus, OH

Tanny Crane is President and C.E.O. of Crane Group, Columbus, Ohio. Crane Group, a privately-held family business, is a diversified portfolio company, comprising: operating businesses, primarily serving the home building and commercial markets; real estate portfolio, investments in private equity firms, and equities / bond portfolio.

Tanny Crane joined Crane Plastics Company (manufacturing business) in 1987 as Director of Human Resources, and became Vice President of Sales and Marketing in 1993. She became the President of Crane Plastics in 1996. In January, 2003, she succeeded Jameson Crane to her current position. Prior to joining Crane Plastics, she was Product Manager for Quaker Oats Company of Chicago, Illinois and National Account Manager at AT&T (Chicago). She received her M.B.A. in marketing and finance from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management-Northwestern University and her B.S. in administrative science, with a major in marketing, from The Ohio State University.

Ms. Crane is also active through a variety of board trustee positions. She serves as Vice Chair and member of the governing committee of the Columbus Foundation, is a member of the Columbus Partnership and serves as board Chair of the Columbus City Schools Education Foundation. She also sits on the Executive Committee of the I Know I Can board as well as an advisory board member of the Fisher College of Business at The Ohio State University. She is also chairing the Women’s Leadership Council of United Way. Ms. Crane is past Board Chair of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, and past Board Chair of United Way of Central Ohio. She also served as 1999 United Way Campaign Chair. She is past President of the board of Action for Children.

Kathleen A. Crowley
Director, Business Retention and Expansion
One Southern Indiana
New Albany, IN

Kathleen Crowley is the Director of Business Retention and Expansion for One Southern Indiana (1si), the local economic development organization representing businesses in Clark and Floyd Counties. Kathleen has been with 1si for over 3 years and she and her fellow economic development team members were recently awarded the International Economic Development Council’s 2009 Excellence in Economic Development Award for their Business Retention and Expansion program. Kathleen has assisted and advised numerous companies in the Louisville Metro area. She has assisted over 30 companies in their expansion projects and with the BRE team accomplished over 475 BRE strategy visits. Kathleen has a proven track record in exceptional experience in both Business Retention and Expansion as well as Entrepreneurship. Kathleen was the Small Business Development Director and received the Indiana SBDC Rising Star Award for her exceptional level of service. Previous to becoming SBDC Director, Kathleen had over 25 years of experience in manufacturing and service industries specializing in mergers and acquisitions as well as companies in bankruptcy and receivership.

Lt. Gen. Ron Dardis
Executive Director
Rebuild Iowa
Des Moines, IA

Lieutenant General Ron Dardis is the Executive Director for the Rebuild Iowa Office, the temporary state office created by Iowa Governor Chet Culver in response to the devastating tornadoes and floods of 2008. He was officially named to the position in March 2009, after leading the disaster response effort as the Adjutant General of the Iowa National Guard, and the recovery effort for eight months as chair of the Rebuild Iowa Advisory Commission. As Executive Director, General Dardis is responsible for coordinating and synchronizing state activities dealing with rebuilding efforts, securing additional funding to meet Iowa’s recovery needs, working with all state and federal agencies involved with the recovery efforts and ensuring communication and transparency in the rebuilding process.

General Dardis retired in 2009 as the Adjutant General of the Iowa National Guard, a position he held for 10 years. During that time, he oversaw the deployment of nearly 13,000 troops for two separate operations, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, as well as the largest deployment of Iowa Guard Troops since the Civil War ¬in response to the state’s severe storms and catastrophic flooding of 2008.

General Dardis was born in Ruthven, Iowa. He is married to the Carmel Sorenson of Harlan, Iowa, and has five children.

Michael W. Davis
Economic Development Director
City of Moraine, OH

Michael W. Davis has fourteen years of public sector experience and has been employed in field of Economic Development for nearly 10 years. Michael resides in Ohio and has been employed by the City of Moraine since 1999.

Mr. Davis has managed and processed multi-million dollar economic development projects that have generated approximately 2,500 new jobs along with retention of another 6,000 with a total capital investment worth of $700+ million. In addition, Michael has created two innovative programs that focus on job creation and retention. The programs include the Incentive Assessment and the Forgiveness Loan, with the latter receiving a 2005 Best Practices Honorable Mentioned Award from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC).

Michael is an active Past President of the regional I-70/75 Development Association, and has Chaired the successful Annual Economic Development Summit from 2004 to 2010. Mr. Davis was a Board Member of the Miami Valley Ohio Planning Conference from 1997 to 2001 and Chaired the (MVOPC) Workshops in 2000 and 2002. He has been an Advisory Board member of the Kettering-Moraine-Oakwood Chamber of Commerce since 1999.

Mr. Davis is a graduate of the Economic Development Institute (EDI) of the University of Oklahoma, holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration and a Bachelor’s degree in Urban Affairs from Wright State University. In 2005, Mr. Davis was selected as one the top 40 Under 40 Business Achievers in the Miami Valley region and also was nominated and awarded the Outstanding New Economic Developer of the Year Award from IEDC.

Marcel de Haan
Director, Innovoation & Technology, BOM Foreign Investments
Brabant Development Agency (BOM)
Tilburg, The Netherlands

Tom Difiore
President
National Community Development Services
Atlanta, GA

Tom DiFiore is President of National Community Development Services, America’s oldest and largest firm specializing in community and economic development fundraising. Since 1977, NCDS has conducted over 600 campaigns in 44 states, raising more than $1.6 billion.

Tom has over 15 years experience helping chambers of commerce and EDOs design and fund multi-year strategic initiatives to enhance economic growth and sustainability. As president, he directs the firm’s resources in securing capacity level support from both public and private sector stakeholders in client communities. NCDS’ proven process and methodologies have assisted clients ranging from single county EDCs in small communities to regional partnerships in major metros to statewide chambers. Over 100 organizations have utilized NCDS for multiple campaigns, including several that have relied on the firm’s expertise to fund their efforts for over 20 consecutive years.

Tom is an active member of several economic development and fundraising associations, and recently served on the board of The Giving Institute, which establishes professional and ethical standards for fundraising professionals. Tom holds a B.A. in economics from The University of Virginia and an M.B.A from Georgia State University in his hometown of Atlanta, where he resides with his wife and three children.

Kenneth E. Dobson, FM
Senior Vice President
Kensley Eco-Development Company
Sylvania, OH

Antonio Doss
Associate Administrator
US Small Business Administration's (SBA) Office of Small Business Development Centers
Washington, DC

Antonio Doss was appointed Associate Administrator for the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Office of Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) in April 2004. In this role, Doss manages a $110 million economic development program that funds 63 Small Business Development Lead Centers in every state plus the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, American Samoa and the U.S. Virgin Islands with 900 outreach service locations.

Under Doss’ leadership, the SBA provides in-depth counseling and training to existing businesses and start-up ventures through these centers, enabling the creation of new firms, expansion of jobs and higher survival rates for small businesses. Clients receive assistance in a wide array of small business management areas including financial, marketing and business planning. Increasingly SBDCs are providing specialized support to technology and high growth firms through seven Small Business Technology Development Centers.

Before his appointment as Associate Administrator, Doss graduated from an extensive three year senior executive leadership program at the SBA, during which time he held several key leadership roles within the agency. Prior to joining the federal government, Doss was Senior Vice President at Bank of America where his duties included oversight of SBA lending teams, branch offices, and a consumer lending product group as well as mortgage and real estate lending services to low and moderate-income communities.

Karina L. Edmonds, PhD
Technology Transfer Coordinator
US Department of Energy
Washington, DC

Dr. Karina Edmonds was appointed Technology Transfer Coordinator for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in April 2010 by Secretary of Energy Dr. Steven Chu. Created by the Energy Policy Board Act of 2005, this is the first time that the Department has appointed a full-time person to fill this role. Dr. Edmonds is responsible for working with the Department’s National Laboratories to accelerate the process of moving discoveries from the laboratory to the private sector, ensuring that America’s scientific leadership translate into new, high-paying jobs for America’s families.

In a statement, Secretary Chu said, “I am pleased to have Karina join our team at the Department of Energy. Having Karina oversee a coordinated, strategic effort on behalf of the Department will help increase the rate of successful technology transfers, creating clean energy jobs and providing more solutions to our energy challenges.”

Dr. Edmonds joined the DOE after working at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) at California Institute of Technology where she served as Director of JPL Technology Transfer. While at JPL, Dr. Edmonds also held positions in the Strategic Intellectual Assets Management Office as Senior Technology Transfer Specialist and in the Strategic University Research Partnership Office as Manager before finally becoming the Director of JPL Technology Transfer. In that position, her job duties included licensing technologies developed at both JPL and Caltech to industry and start-ups, managing the JPL patent portfolio, assisting Caltech start-ups, and managing prosecution of Caltech’s patent filings. Dr. Edmonds is a registered patent agent with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Prior to her work at JPL, she worked as Principal Investigator at TRW, Inc. for internal research and development efforts. During her tenure there, she co-authored two patent applications in the area of noise reduction for the automotive environment.

Dr. Edmonds received a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Rhode Island. She holds master’s and doctorate degrees in aeronautics with a minor in material science from the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, California.

Lenny Eliason, MPA
First Vice President, National Association of Counties
Commissioner, City of Athens
Athens, OH

Lenny Eliason has been an Athens County Commissioner since August 1998. He serves on the Board of Directors for County Commissioners Association of Ohio as a Past President. Eliason also serves as President of the CEBCO (County Employee Benefit Consortium) Board. He is serving on the Buckeye Hills Hocking Valley Regional Development Executive Committee, Buckeye Hills Resource Conservation and Development Council, The Appalachian Development Corporation and is a member of HAPCAP Community Action Board.

He is the 1st Vice President of the National Association of Counties and serves on the NACO Membership Committee, the Rural Action Caucus and on the NACo Labor and Employment Steering Committee. A past member of the NACo Finance Committee, NACo Leadership and Governance Committee and the NACo By-Laws Committee. A member of the NACo County Leadership Institute Class of 2006.

Eliason earned a Master’s of Public Administration Degree from Ohio University.

In 2003, Eliason was appointed to serve on the PERRAC (Public Employees Risk Reduction Advisory Committee by Lt. Governor Jeanette Bradley. In 2007 he was appointed by the Ohio Supreme Court to the Indigent Defense Task Force. Eliason served on the CASA/GAL Study Committee from 2005-2007.

Gary P. Evans, PhD, CEcD
US Chief Executive Officer
Angle Technology LLC
Charlottesville, VA

Dr Evans has worked in the field of technology commercialization for his entire career, and in technology-based economic development for more than 15 years. He has been responsible for the creation and management of a wide range of initiatives, including business incubators, research parks, product development funds, and seed funds. He has supported several hundred early stage companies, assisting with strategy development, business planning, investment preparedness and product development planning. Dr Evans has a Diploma in Management Science from the Strathclyde Graduate Business School in Glasgow, Scotland, and served as Visiting Professor in Innovation Management at the Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen, Scotland.

Dr Evans is currently CEO for the US operations of ANGLE plc, a public company focused on commercialization of research. He is also acting CEO of Parsortix, Inc., an early-stage biomedical device company, and sits on the boards of four other companies. Recent economic development projects in which he has played a role include the development of an aerospace strategy for Arizona and a nanotechnology strategy for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; business incubation projects in North Carolina, the US Virgin Islands, and Washington, D.C.; and research park projects in Arkansas, Virginia and South Carolina.

Honorable John Fernandez
Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development
United States Department of Commerce
Washington, DC

John Fernandez was appointed by President Obama to serve as the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development and sworn into office on September 14, 2009.

As the Administrator of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA), Fernandez is charged with leading the federal economic development agenda by promoting innovation and competitiveness, preparing American regions for growth and success in the global economy.

With over thirteen years of executive experience, Fernandez has earned a reputation as a strategic thinker, creative problem solver and effective manager. Prior to his appointment, Fernandez led the new development and acquisition team at First Capital Group, an Indiana-based real estate investment firm. Fernandez played a critical role in expanding the firm’s regional and national investment footprint.

Fernandez also served as Of Counsel for Krieg Devault, an Indianapolis-based law firm, where he advised private and governmental organizations on economic development, public finance and policy issues.

Fernandez served as Bloomington, Indiana’s mayor from 1996 to 2003. With his leadership, Bloomington’s economy thrived despite facing significant changes arising from the new global economy. Fernandez worked with business and Indiana University leaders to launch Bloomington’s Life Sciences Partnership, securing more than $243 million in private investments and creating more than 3,700 jobs. He also developed an aggressive downtown revitalization plan resulting in more than $100 million in new investments.

A first generation American, Fernandez received a Doctor of Law (J.D.) from Indiana University. He also earned a Master of Public Affairs (M.P.A.) and Bachelor of Science (B.S.) from Indiana University’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs.

Price D. Finley, Esq.
Partner
Bricker & Eckler LLP
Columbus, OH

Alex R. Fischer
President & CEO
The Columbus Partnership
Columbus, OH

Alex Fischer is the President and CEO of the Columbus Partnership, a civic organization of Columbus, Ohio’s top business leaders formed in 2002 to improve the economic and cultural base of Central Ohio. The Partnership is helping to lead the Columbus2020! economic development effort which is a collaboration of regional economic development organizations. The Partnership has 35 members including 15 fortune 1000 CEOs, the head of the Nation’s largest University and the head of the world’s largest research and development organization.

Previously he was Senior Vice President for Business and Economic Development for the Battelle Memorial Institute headquartered in Columbus, Ohio and served on the company’s Executive Committee and as a Corporate Officer. His responsibilities included Commercialization of Battelle’s technologies including the six national laboratories managed or co-managed by Battelle.

Before joining Battelle, Fischer served as the Deputy Governor and Chief of Staff to Tennessee Governor Don Sundquist. In this position, Fischer served as the principal advisor to the Governor on all matters of the State of Tennessee including the oversight of the 22 agencies of state government.

A native of Hendersonville, Tennessee, Fischer graduated from The University of Tennessee in Knoxville with a bachelor’s degree in economics and a master’s degree from the school of Architecture and Planning.

Charles Fitzgibbon
Vice President, Business Development
Journal Communications, Inc.
Franklin, TN

Dean C. Foote, CEcD
President
Foote Consulting Group, LLC
Glendale, AZ

Deane C. Foote is President of Foote Consulting Group, LLC; a development related consulting company located in the Phoenix area. FCG provides real estate, site selection, workforce and economic development services.

Deane has worked on dozens of projects in recent years, including corporate projects for Staples, Simplot, Wal-Mart and Coca-Cola and economic development projects for the Arizona Department of Commerce; State of Ohio; the Greater Phoenix Economic Council; Great Falls (MT) Airport Authority; Lee County Transportation Authority in Florida; Iowa City Area Development, Los Alamos, NM and the City of Moraine, OH. He has over 30 years of experience.

Deane was formerly Senior Project Manager for Real Estate and Economic Development with Jacobs (formerly Carter & Burgess) where he directed site selection and economic development projects. Deane was also a Vice President with Paragon Decision Resources, Inc., a full-service relocation company, in charge of site selection and economic development. He was also President of the Greater Urbana-Champaign (IL) Economic Development Corporation.

Deane is a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) and a graduate of the University of Oklahoma. He and his wife Jeanne reside in Glendale, Arizona.

Jay A. Garner, CEcD, CCE, FM, HLM
President
Garner Economics, LLC
Atlanta, GA

Jay A. Garner, CEcD, CCE is the president and founder of Garner Economics, LLC, an economic development consulting firm headquartered in Atlanta, Ga. Jay is a leader and innovator in the economic development profession, having served for 30 years as both an award-winning economic development and Chamber of Commerce practitioner, and as a consultant to the profession. His firm assists clients throughout the U.S., Asia and Europe on a wide variety of projects, offering innovative, yet real-world solutions to achieve success. Jay often lectures and provides counsel on creating and implementing proactive global business development strategies and tactics. His firm is also a leader in providing assistance to corporate clients in their site selection process, such as Anchor Glass, Academy Sports, Hatfield Quality Meats, Stork Food Systems, Future Pipe Industries and others. His firm is the exclusive provider of site location services for the Facility Group—a global leader in architecture, engineering and construction management, based in Atlanta—and their worldwide clients.

Jay is a graduate of West Virginia University with Bachelor of Arts and Master of Public Administration degrees. He is also a graduate of both the Economic Development Course at the Georgia Institute of Technology and the Economic Development Institute at the University of Oklahoma, where he is an instructor in international prospecting. Jay has led over 25 trade and business development missions on four continents leading to the creation of thousands of jobs and several billion dollars in capital investment. He is a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD), a Fellow Member and an Honorary Life Member, the three highest professional designations awarded to those in the economic development profession by the International Economic Development Council. He is also a Certified Chamber Executive (CCE), a professional designation awarded to Chamber professionals by the American Chamber of Commerce Executives Association.

In 2009, the readers of Southern Business & Development magazine named Garner Economics as one of the best consulting firms in the U.S. As a practitioner, Jay was selected as one of ten outstanding leaders in economic development in the United States by Site Selection magazine while leading the economic development program in Mobile, Ala. The same publication also recognized him for running one of the ten best development organizations in the U.S. for six consecutive years. The mayor and city council of Mobile declared July 29, 1994 as “Jay Garner Day” in the city for his nine years of exemplary service as chief economic development officer for the city/county. As CEO of the Asheville, N.C. Chamber of Commerce, the organization became the first Chamber in the U.S. to win a Quality Award by the North Carolina Quality Foundation based on the national Malcolm Baldrige criteria. He was honored in both 2002 and 2003 by his alma mater, West Virginia University with Distinguished Alumnus Awards within the Department of Political Science and College of Arts and Sciences.

Jay is a past chairman for the International Economic Development Council, the largest economic development professional trade organization in the world. He is also a past chairman of the American Economic Development Council. An avid jazz drummer, he plays in two bands in the Atlanta area.

Sean Garretson, AICP
Project Director
The Retail Coach
Tupelo, MS

Sean Garretson, AICP serves as Project Director for The Retail Coach - the recognized leader in researching, developing and executing community retail recruitment and development strategies. Mr. Garretson’s expertise is providing communities with market-based strategies for revitalizing commercial corridors and sectors in a community.

Before joining The Retail Coach, Mr. Garretson was a principal at TIP Strategies and a senior manager with Angelou Economics – two of the premier economic development consulting firms in the US. Mr. Garretson also started a successful planning and development company, Pegasus Planning and Development, and was a senior planner for the Central Texas Council of Governments (CAPCOG) and Central Texas regional utility (Lower Colorado River Authority).

Mr. Garretson received a BA in Anthropology from George Washington University and an MS in Community and Regional Planning with a Specialization in Economic Development from the University of Texas-Austin. He is a certified planner (AICP) with a specialization in economic development and serves on several revitalization boards in Austin, including chairman of an attainable housing non-profit, and Vice Chairman of the City of Austin’s Urban Renewal Agency. Mr. Garretson worked for the Peace Corps in Burundi, East Africa, and is an avid open water swimmer, mountain biker, and water polo player.

E Gordon Gee, JD, EdD
President
The Ohio State University
Columbus, OH

E Gordon Gee, among the most highly experienced and respected university presidents in the nation, returned to The Ohio State University after having served as Chancellor of Vanderbilt University for seven years. Prior to his tenure at Vanderbilt, he was president of Brown University (1998-2000), The Ohio State University (1990-97), the University of Colorado (1985-90), and West Virginia University (1981-85).

Born in Vernal, Utah, Gee graduated from the University of Utah with an honors degree in history and earned his J.D. and Ed.D degrees from Columbia University. He clerked under Chief Justice David T. Lewis of the U.S. 10th Circuit Court of Appeals before being named a judicial fellow and staff assistant to the U.S. Supreme Court, where he worked for Chief Justice Warren Burger on administrative and legal problems of the Court and federal judiciary. Gee returned to Utah as an associate professor and associate dean in the J. Reuben Clark Law School at Brigham Young University, eventually achieving the rank of full professor. In 1979 he was named dean of the West Virginia University Law School, and in 1981 was appointed to that university's presidency.

Active in a number of national professional and service organizations, Gee served as a Trustee for the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation and as chairman of the Kellogg Commission on the Future of State and Land Grant Universities. He is a member of the National Commission on Writing for America's Families, Schools, and Colleges, founded by the College Board to improve the teaching and learning of writing. He also serves as co-chair of the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities' Energy Advisory Committee.

Gee is a member of the Board of Governors of the National Hospice Foundation, the Advisory Board of the Christopher Isherwood Foundation, and the Board of Trustees of the Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation, an independent Federal government agency established to "encourage and support research, study and labor designed to produce new discoveries in all fields of endeavor for the benefit of mankind." He also is a member of the Business-Higher Education Forum.

Gee has received a number of honorary degrees, awards, and recognitions. He was a Mellon Fellow for the Aspen Institute for Humanistic Studies and a W.K. Kellogg Fellow. In 1994, he received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the University of Utah as well as from Teachers College of Columbia University. He is the co-author of eight books and the author of numerous papers and articles on law and education.

Cynthia E. Gonsalves
Director
The Office of Technology Transition
Arlington, VA

Mrs. Gonsalves is the Director of the Office of Technology Transition. In this position, she has oversight of the Manufacturing Technology Program, Defense Production Act Title III Program, DoD Technology Transfer Program, Technology Transition Initiative, and the North American Technology and Industrial Base Organization (NATIBO). She provides guidance and develops plans to implement and improve the DoD technology transfer and transition programs to ensure coherent, although decentralized programs. She has developed DoD-wide implementation policy and technology transfer and intellectual property information systems. Within the NATIBO, she provides guidance and develops plans with the Services, other federal agencies, and Canada.

Immediately prior to her current assignment, Mrs. Gonsalves was the Assistant Director for Transfer and Transition in the Office of Technology Transition. Prior to that, she was in the Office of the Secretary of Defense Dual Use Technology Policy where she worked on a variety of dual use technology studies (i.e., Flat Panel Displays, MicroElectroMechanical Systems). Mrs. Gonsalves spent over 10 years in the Office of the Secretary of Defense Production Base office where she was responsible for industrial base policy issues such as industrial preparedness planning, natural disaster planning, and materials availability. She was instrumental in Defense Production Act programs (both the Defense Priority and Allocations Systems under Title I and purchases under Title III), facilities usage, and assessments of specific materials and industries such as beryllium and kevlar. During this assignment, Mrs. Gonsalves supported NATIBO studies on Metal Matrix Composites, Batteries, Collaborative Virtual Prototyping, Ion Beam Processing Technologies, and Corrosion Detection Technologies.

Mrs. Gonsalves is the recipient of the Federal Laboratory Consortium Departmental Achievement Award in 2002 and 2004 -2010 and the DoD Exceptional Civilian Service Award in 2001.

Todd Greene, CEcD
Vice President, Community & Economic Development Research & Policy
Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta
Atlanta, GA

Todd Greene is vice president for economic and community development in the research division at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. He is also the Bank’s Community Affairs Officer and is the co-director of the Bank’s Labor, Education, and Health Policy Center.

Greene’s responsibilities include strategic direction and oversight of the Bank’s Economic and Community Development efforts including research, programs, and outreach to promote economic vitality and fair and impartial access to credit in the Sixth Federal Reserve District, which includes Florida, Georgia, Alabama, and portions of Tennessee, Mississippi, and Louisiana.

Greene joined the Bank in 2008 as assistant vice president for economic and community development research and was named Community Affairs Officer in 2009. In 2010, he was promoted to vice president.

Prior to joining the Atlanta Fed, Greene held leadership roles with Southwestern Bell Corporation, the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority and in management consulting. More recently, Greene served as the director for Community, Policy and Research Services at Georgia Tech’s Enterprise Innovation Institute with oversight of research and implementation efforts in applied economic development and as the executive director of the Program in Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy- a joint initiative with the Georgia Tech School of Public Policy.

Greene is past president of the Georgia Economic Developers Association. At the national level, he is on the Board of Directors of the International Economic Development Council and is a member of the Southern Economic Development Council. Greene’s previous board experience includes United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia Academy for Economic Development, Georgia Chamber of Commerce and SouthEast Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors. He is a graduate of the 2009 Leadership Georgia class and the 2003 Buckhead Business Association Leadership Development Program. In 2002, he obtained the Certified Economic Developer designation (CEcD).

Daniel C. Gundersen
Senior Advisor
Econsult Corporation
Philadelphia, PA

Dan Gundersen, a nationally recognized economic development professional, is the former Commissioner of the New York State Department of Economic Development and Co-Chairman for the Empire State Development Corporation. In these positions, he created comprehensive strategies for achieving economic growth in Upstate New York and helped ensure that all of New York was positioned to compete and lead in the global economy.

Prior to his tenure with the State of New York, Dan served as the Executive Deputy Secretary for the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. As the department’s COO, he was responsible for directing operations exceeding US $665 million annually and initiating and implementing a $2.8 billion economic stimulus program. Dan served in a similar capacity for the State of Maryland as Assistant Secretary for Business Development. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, he worked with corporate and public leaders in Southeast Pennsylvania to develop nationally acclaimed public/private partnerships that addressed critical quality of life issues in the areas of jobs, education, transportation, good government and housing.

Mr. Gundersen is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania where he earned a Masters in Governmental Administration and he attended the Harvard Business School Executive Education program on global strategy.

James Hagedorn
CEO & Chairman of the Board
Scotts Miracle-Gro
Marysville, OH

Jim was named chairman of the Board of Directors in January 2003 and chief executive officer in May 2001. He has been serving as president since November 2006, a position he also held from May 2001 until December 2005.

Jim was named senior vice president, Consumer Gardens Group, in 1995, the year Scotts merged with Stern's Miracle-Gro Products, Inc. At Miracle-Gro, Jim had served as executive vice president and was a major architect of Miracle-Gro's success both in the U.S. and in the UK. Following the merger, he was instrumental in the effective integration of the two businesses and served as head of the Company’s North America business.

Jim is a graduate of The Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program and holds a degree in Aeronautical Science from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, where he is a member of the Board of Trustees.

Jim is co-chairman of the National Fund for the U.S. Botanic Garden in Washington, D.C., an associate trustee of the North Shore Hospital in Manhasset, N.Y. and Chairman of the Board for the Farms for City Kids Foundation, Inc. in Reading, Vt. He is also a board member for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Foundation, serves on Intrepid Foundation Board of Trustees, is a member of the Council on Competitiveness Executive Committee and is on the Board of Directors for the Nurse-Family Partnership in Denver, Colo.

Additionally, he served in the United States Air Force for seven years, where he was a captain and an accomplished F-16 fighter pilot.

Robert P. Hallenbeck, Jr.
Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing – Environmental
XL Insurance America, Inc.
Exton, PA

Bob Hallenbeck is Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing, for XL Environmental. He joined the Company in 1994 and has served in a variety of Sales, Business Development and Marketing functions.

As the leader of the Sales and Marketing unit, Bob’s responsibilities include the planning and execution of XL Environmental’s sales strategies and marketing campaigns, the development of strategic alliances with other insurance carriers, and the development and closure of large real estate and corporate transactional opportunities.

Bob is the Leader of XL’s Environmental Transaction Team, dedicated resources from the company’s management, underwriting, risk control and claims management units, focused on the development and successful placement of insurance products designed to protect all parties to transactions involving environmental exposures.

Bob’s team has successfully completed dozens of transactions of all types, including mergers and acquisitions, property divestitures, liability buyouts, balance sheet relief, and purchase-and-sale transactions for all types of commercial, industrial and residential properties.

Bob has been engaged in the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) market since 1996 and has been instrumental in the placement of environmental insurance products at more than three dozen different former military bases across the United States. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Association of Defense Communities.

He is a graduate of Union College with a BA in Political Science, and received a Juris Doctor degree from the Albany Law School.

Dr. James M. Harless, PhD, CHMM, RBP
Vice President
Soil and Materials Engineers, Inc.
Plymouth, MN

Dr. James Harless, CHMM, RBP serves as Senior Project Manager and Environmental Practice Leader for Soil and Material Engineers, Inc. Dr. Harless has over 32 years environmental consulting and brownfield redevelopment experience. Over the past 15 years, he has helped revitalize large and small communities by supporting efforts to identify, assess, and safely and sustainably redevelop brownfields. Dr. Harless has acquired and managed over $80,000,000 in local, state, and federal brownfield funding for local governments and private developers to catalyze successful redevelopment projects valued at over $900,000,000. His expertise in environmental liability and risk management, site assessment, site remediation, site use planning, and use of engineering controls plays an important role in the success of industrial, commercial, and sustainable residential developments, which have won state and national recognition, including two coveted U.S. EPA Phoenix Awards and two Brownfield Renewal Awards. Example projects include transforming a 45-acre former paper mill into a sustainable new urbanism residential neighborhood, construction of a wind turbine tower manufacturing plant on an industrial waste landfill, and reclamation of the first brownfield, the War of 1812 River Raisin Battlefield, to be incorporated into the National Park System.

Dr. Harless holds bachelor and Ph.D. degrees in chemistry and is a Certified Hazardous Materials Manager. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Alliance of Hazardous Materials Professionals and the Michigan Chapter of Certified Hazardous Materials Managers, is a 25-year member of the American Chemical Society’s Laboratory Environmental, Health and Safety Task Force, and is Co-Chair of the EnvironmentalASFE.

Edward E. Hemminger
Chief Information & Technology Officer
Ontario County, New York
Canandaigua, NY

Ed Hemminger is currently the Ontario County Chief Information Officer. He has been in this position since 1996. In this role he is responsible for all Information Technology functions for the organization with over 1,000 employees, including technical service/support, communication networks (voice and data), computer program development and computer systems operations. He also establishes and directs the strategic goals, policies and procedures for technology enterprise-wide as well as providing overall management and definition of all computer and communication activities within the organization including the responsibility for providing a leadership role in the day to day operations of the Information Services functions as well as providing direction as the enterprise grows through internal growth and external systems implementations. Additionally, he is responsible for technology issues in Economic Development activities county-wide, specifically relating to telecommunications bandwidth availability and Industrial Development Agency proposal review. Ed was also appointed to be the Chief Executive Officer for Axcess Ontario, a $7.5M not-for-profit public/private partnership fiber ring telecommunications corporation established to build a 180 mile fiber optic ring around Ontario County connecting Police, Fire, Healthcare, Education, Municipalities and business locations county-wide. He is Past President of the NY State Local Government IT Director’s Association, member of the NY State CIO Council, member of the NY State Broadband Development and Deployment Council, member of the Ontario County Board of Ethics, Chairman of the Farmington Zoning Board of Appeals and numerous other committees county and state wide. He was selected as the recipient of the 2009 NY State Public Sector CIO of the Year Award. He is a retired US Air Force Chief Master Sergeant. Ed was raised in Phelps, NY and now enjoys Ontario County life with his wife Debbie in Farmington.

Jason M. Hickey
Associate
Hickey and Associates, LLC
Washington, DC

Jason M. Hickey, President of Hickey and Associates, LLC, a Global Site Selection and Public Incentive Support Firm representing many industries from Consumer Products and Health Care to Defense to Renewable Energy. Clients include UnitedHealth Group, Lockheed Martin and General Mills.

Jason specializes in federal incentives, loan guarantees, grants and other public/private partnerships.

He has led H&A’s Federal Stimulus Response Team since the Recovery Act became law in February. Jason speaks at various events throughout the year speaking to audiences on how best to create win/win partnerships between public and private entities.

Jason is a graduate of Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.

Jason Hilts
President & CEO
Brownsville Economic Development Council
Brownsville, TX

Jason Hilts is the President and CEO of the Brownsville Economic Development Council (BEDC) in Brownsville, Texas. A community of nearly 200,000, Brownsville is the southern most city in the United States and is located on the border with Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico, its sister city with a population of over 800,000, and is a hub for international commerce, manufacturing, and logistics. Jason has over 15 years in economic development, all in Brownsville, with the last eight plus years as President and CEO of the BEDC. He has also worked in the manufacturing industry, both in the US and in Mexico, as general manager he developed the company’s manufacturing and assembly operations simultaneously in Brownsville-Matamoros.

Through the efforts of the BEDC over 150 companies, both domestic and international, have established operations in the Brownsville-Matamoros community over the last 15-years. In 2003, the BEDC took the initiative to truly market the region as one community and the brand Brownsville-Matamoros United was created and today it is marketed nationally and internationally. The BEDC prides itself as an organization that partners with key allies, both in the US and in Mexico to market its community and to make economic development projects happen in the region. The BEDC collaborates with such entities as TexasOne, PROMEXICO, US/Mexico Chamber of Commerce, the Matamoros Maquiladora Association, the Brownsville Navigation District, the Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation, and the Rio South Texas Economic Development Council. It also works closely with governmental agencies such as the cities of Brownsville and Matamoros, and the State of Texas and the State of Tamaulipas to promote the Brownsville-Matamoros United community.

Todd Hoffman
President
Collegia
Wellesley, MA

Todd Hoffman is president and founder of Collegia, a Massachusetts-based consulting firm that helps U.S. regions grow their college-educated workforce by deploying customized talent attract-and-retain programs.

Of the successful efforts that he is recognized for … the most well-known is Philadelphia’s “Knowledge Industry Partnership” which, today, receives much credit for that city’s recent rise in popularity as a hot city for young professionals.

To date, Collegia has led the development of eight regional talent initiatives, each focusing on the three contiguous phases (prospect>student>graduate) of what the Collegia has termed the “College Student Life Cycle.” The life cycle sees the future professional as first – a prospect shopping for a college; secondly – an enrolled student test driving the region for 2-4 years, and third – a future professional who has the choice of staying or leaving the region when they graduate. Regions include: Northeast Ohio, Columbus, Lancaster (PA), Lehigh Valley (PA), Boston, Pittsburgh, and Tallahassee.

Also noteworthy … as an adjunct to its consulting work, Collegia publishes the highly regarded “College Destinations Index,” which ranks 290 regions of the U.S. based on their overall suitability as centers of academic learning, personal transformation, and professional development.

Don A. Holbrook, CEcD, FM
President & CEO
The Vercitas Group
Lake Havasu City, AZ

Don Holbrook is a private practitioner involved in site selection for private sector investment projects and economic development consulting nationally as one of the fields most influential and recognized subject matter experts. His site selection practice specializes in public backed inducements and incentives in the tourism destination entertainment location decisions, through, the establishment of a public private partnerships in such projects. Don has specialized in creating customized incentive policies that reduce the over-all cost of the project to the clients with favorable ROI to both the private and public sector partners.

Holbrook is recognized as an early pioneer of site location and community profiling technology in web based infrastructure. He assisted in establishing the data standards utilized today as the industry standard through his role at the International Economic Development Council, IEDC. He is regarded as one of the experts in the field on technology based site selection and creative financing for public investments in attracting business catalyst private sector projects. He is the developer of the patent pending dynamic site location database model now currently licensed to the industry with the IEDC.

He has authored two books, his first the "Little Black Book of Economic Development," and his most recent book, “Who Moved My Smoke Stack.” He is a highly published and quoted subject matter experts and is a frequent keynote speaker on the "Art of the Deal Today" and "Globalization" for economic development groups, chambers of commerce and corporations.

John O. Huston
Principal, USPrivateCompanies, LLC
Manager, The Ohio Tech Funds
Columbus, OH

John O. Huston, Principal, USPrivateCompanies, LLC – During his 30-year banking career, Mr. Huston held positions ranging from Chief Lending/Chief Credit Officer to CEO at five banks in five states. Since retiring from banking in 2000, he has been an advisor, conduit, columnist and frequent speaker in his area of expertise…..optimizing a private company’s capital structure. An active business angel, he provides equity to entrepreneurs through his investment company, USPrivateCompanies, LLC. Mr. Huston was also pivotal in the formation of the Ohio TechAngel Fund and has been passionately engaged in the on-going success of the Fund.

Mr. Huston was one of seven Ohioans appointed by Governor Taft to the Ohio Venture Capital Authority, whose mission is to make professionally managed early stage capital more readily available to the state’s entrepreneurs. He has also taught Finance at The Ohio State University’s Fisher College of Business, and is a frequent judge for business plan competitions at Ohio’s colleges and universities. In addition to serving on several Advisory Boards for his portfolio companies, Mr. Huston is an active member of The Ohio Venture Association, BioOhio, the Columbus Technology Council, and the Angel Capital Association (“The Professional Alliance of Angel Groups”).

Scott Hutcheson
Assistant Program Leader, Economic and Community Development
Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN

Scott Hutcheson has worked in community and economic development since 1992. In his current position with Purdue University he helps lead the school’s economic development efforts in the Cooperative Extension Service and the Purdue Center for Regional Development housed within the Office of Engagement. Scott works closely with local, regional, state, and federal partners in policy, strategy, and programming related to innovation-based economic development, community support systems for entrepreneurship, new approaches to talent development, and local and regional food systems. Prior to his work with Purdue, Scott held leadership positions with United Way and American Airlines. He has an undergraduate degree from Tennessee Temple University, a master’s degree from the University of Tennessee, and has done post-graduate work at Purdue. Scott is also an award winning writer and Emmy®-nominated producer for the Public Broadcasting System. He writes a weekly column that appears in newspapers across the US. His writing and television work focuses on the themes of food, family, and community. Scott and his wife Lisa live in Lebanon, Indiana with their sons Henry and Oliver. More information about Scott is available at www.scotthutcheson.com and he can also be found at twitter.com/jshutch64 and at facebook.com/scott.hutcheson.

Lloyd A. Jacobs, MD
President
University of Toledo
Toledo, OH

University of Toledo President Lloyd A. Jacobs, M.D., is leading a vigorous process of growth and transformation to promote educational quality and excellence at the university. He began his appointment as the University of Toledo’s 16th president in July 2006, when the former Medical University of Ohio, which he headed for approximately three years, and UT merged, perhaps the most significant event in higher education in Ohio in the last 50 years, and he was selected to lead the merged universities.

Under his leadership, the university operates three campuses, the Main Campus, the Health Science Campus, and the new Scott Park Campus of Innovation and Energy. The institution, which has an annual operating budget of more than $750 million, has enjoyed tremendous momentum, experiencing enrollment growth since 2006 of more than 22,000 students.

President Jacobs has worked to strengthen undergraduate education, graduate and professional education and scholarship, research, and service across UT's 10 professional colleges; to make the university more, affordable, accessible, sustainable and student-centered; and to encourage exploration how UT can create collaborative programs and synergies involving the arts, humanities, science, technology and other fields.

UT has recruited a diverse student body and faculty, strengthened patient-care programs at UT Medical Center, focused on improving the learning and living environments on and near campus and earned several key institutional accreditations. Dr. Jacobs has further integrated the University's intercollegiate athletic programs into campus life, secured contract agreements with several University employee bargaining units, celebrated successful completion of the largest capital fund campaign in the University's history that obtained more than $106 million, entered into research and educational agreements with universities in Europe, the Middle East and Asia, and celebrated the 100th anniversary of the university’s distinguished College of Arts and Sciences.

John Kaliski
Principal
Cambridge Systematics, Inc.
Cambridge, MA

John Kaliski is a Principal of Cambridge Systematics, Inc., a public policy research and consulting firm. Mr. Kaliski has worked with numerous states and regions to develop long-range economic competitiveness strategies addressing infrastructure, business climate, livability, and sustainability.

Mr. Kaliski led development of statewide economic development strategies for the Florida Chamber Foundation and the Mississippi Economic Council. For Enterprise Florida, Mr. Kaliski helped direct the Rural Catalyst initiative to help transform Florida’s economically distressed regions. Mr. Kaliski also has developed economic competitiveness strategies for states and regions nationwide, including projects in the tri-state New York-New Jersey-Connecticut area, southeast Florida, California, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Pennsylvania, and Texas. He also has helped develop long-range sustainability initiatives for several regions, including 50-year visioning processes for Central Florida and rural south central Florida.

Mr. Kaliski is Project Manager for the 2060 Florida Transportation Plan, which includes a long-term transportation vision and goals to ensure Florida’s future economic competitiveness. He also is part of the team developing Ohio’s Transportation Futures Plan, which is identifying transportation strategies to enhance Ohio’s economic prosperity. He has analyzed the economic impacts of major transportation investments in Florida, Indiana, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington State. He also has assessed transportation’s role supporting economic development for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Florida Chamber Foundation, and other business and economic development organizations.

Carolyn Kennett
Economic Development Director
City of Parsons, KS

Carolyn Kennett has 23 years of advertising and marketing experience and has worked in economic development for the City of Parsons for the past 10 years. Carolyn currently resides in Kansas.

Ms. Kennett has developed multi-million dollar projects that have generated nearly 2,000 jobs with investments of more than $200 million, including a downtown revitalization project as a result of an F3 tornado. During that time, 95% of impacted businesses were retained.

After revitalization, Carolyn pushed to designate Parsons as a Kansas Main Street City. The program’s success led to a 2006 Great American Main Street Award. In addition, Carolyn worked to secure nearly $1.2 million in funding for the transition of the Kansas Army Ammunition Plant to the Great Plains Industrial Park after a 2005 BRAC Closure.

Carolyn is a member of the International Economic Development Council, the Kansas Economic Development Alliance Board, the Kansas Cavalry (a gubernatorial appointment), the Kansas Leadership Center Board and Chair of Southeast Kansas, Inc. Economic Development Committee and Board Member.

She is a graduate of Economic Development Institute in Oklahoma, the NDC’s Economic Development Finance Certification and has a Bachelor of Arts in Fine Art from Fort Lewis College, Durango, Colorado.

Patrick Francis Kirby
Director
Northern WV Brownfields Assistance Center
Water Research Institute, NRCCE
Morgantown, WV

Patrick has been the Director of the Northern West Virginia Brownfields Assistance Center since 2006. Mr. Kirby earned a Master’s Degree in Public Policy from West Virginia University and received his B.S. degree in Political and Environmental Science from Shepherd University. Mr. Kirby developed the FOCUS WV grant program to assist communities overcome barriers to brownfield redevelopment. Mr. Kirby co-chairs the West Virginia Brownfields Conference Planning Committee, the Engineers Society of Western Pennsylvania Conference Planning Committee, and serves as an ex officio member of numerous local brownfield task forces throughout West Virginia. In an effort to increase brownfields awareness, Mr. Kirby teaches a class on redevelopment at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at WVU, and gives presentations at local meetings, state workshops, and national conferences. Mr. Kirby is also proud to be AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps alum, as well as a former Rotary Exchange Student.

Gary Kunkle, PhD
Founder
Outlier LLC
Huntersville, NC

For 20 years Gary Kunkle has worked with more than 1,000 firms in 32 countries on challenges they face in sustaining profitable growth. He is Founder of Outlier LLC, a consultancy working with high-growth firms and government agencies on projects related to business and economic expansion. His forthcoming book, ‘High-Growth Firms and Cumulative Job Growth’, describes the contributions that high-growth firms make to the growth of their local economies, the challenges they face as they attempt to grow, and public policies designed to encourage more firms to sustain exceptional growth.

Gary’s insights into firm and regional growth are based, in part, on his five-year study of 511,000 Pennsylvania firms, including surveys and interviews with more than 600 high-growth businesses. For the previous seven years, Gary was Managing Director of the State of Maryland’s European Office, located in the Netherlands. He was also Senior Manager at KPMG’s International Trade and Investment Services group in Washington, D.C., where he worked with both multinational corporations and economic development agencies around the world. In 1989, Gary established the nation’s first city-based economic development program that provided hands-on export assistance to local firms. He completed his doctoral studies in Public Policy at UNCC in 2009.

Rocco Landesman
Chairman
National Endowment of the Arts
Washington, DC

Rocco Landesman was confirmed by the United States Senate on August 7, 2009 as the tenth chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). Prior to joining the NEA, he was a Broadway theater producer.

Mr. Landesman was born (July 20, 1947) and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. He pursued his undergraduate education at Colby College and the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and earned a doctorate in Dramatic Literature at the Yale School of Drama. At the completion of his course work, Mr. Landesman stayed at the school for four years, working as an assistant professor.

Mr. Landesman's ensuing career has been a hybrid of commercial and artistic enterprises. In 1977, he left Yale to start a private investment fund which he ran until his appointment in 1987 as president of Jujamcyn, a company that owns and operates five Broadway theaters: St. James, Al Hirschfeld, August Wilson, Eugene O'Neill, and Walter Kerr theaters.

Before and after joining Jujamcyn, Mr. Landesman produced Broadway shows, the most notable of which are Big River (1985 Tony Award for Best Musical), Angels in America: Millenium Approaches (1993 Tony Award for Best Play), Angels in America: Perestroika (1994 Tony Award for Best Play), and The Producers (2001 Tony Award for Best Musical). In 2005, he purchased Jujamcyn and operated it until President Obama announced his intention to nominate him to the NEA chairmanship.

Mr. Landesman has been active on numerous boards, including the Municipal Arts Society; the Times Square Alliance; The Actor's Fund; and the Educational Foundation of America. Mr. Landesman has also vigorously engaged the ongoing debate about arts policy, speaking at forums and writing numerous articles, focusing mainly on the relationship between the commercial and not-for-profit sectors of the American theater. Over the years, he returned to the Yale School of Drama and Yale Rep to teach.

Samuel V.K. Lee
Senior Manager
Deloitte Tax LLP
Chicago, IL

Christopher Leinberger
Fellow
Metropolitan Policy Program
Brookings Institution
Washington, DC

Christopher Leinberger is a land use strategist, developer, teacher, consultant and author, helping to make progressive development profitable. He is currently a Visiting Fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington, DC, focusing on research and practices to help transform traditional and suburban downtown to places that provide “walkable urbanism.”

He is also a professor and director of the Graduate Real Estate Program at the University of Michigan. In addition, he is a founding partner of Arcadia Land Company, a progressive real estate development firm. Chris was co-chair of the New Mexico Governor Richardson's Task Force on Our Communities and Our Future and served on the Planned Growth Strategy Implementation Task Force and the Impact Fee Task Force in Albuquerque. He also serves on the advisory boards of The Conservation Fund and the Enterprise Foundation.

His most recent book is “The Option of Urbanism, Investing in a New American Dream”, published in 2008. It demonstrates how the pendulum of the country invests in the built environment, which comprises 35% of the asset base of the country, is swinging back toward “walkable urbanism”. This follows two generations of building the alternative, “drivable sub-urban” development, which has been the de facto domestic policy of the country. The book makes the connection between how the American Dream lays out on the ground and the economic base of the country from the agricultural era, through the industrial to the current knowledge-based economy.

Chris has also written award-winning articles for publications such as the Atlantic Monthly, the Wall Street Journal, and Urban Land magazine. He has been profiled by CNN, the Today Show, and National Public Radio. He lives the Dupont Circle area of Washington, DC with his wife, Lisa.

Valerie A. Lemmie
Commissioner
Public Utilities Commission of Ohio
Columbus, OH

Commissioner Valerie A. Lemmie was appointed to the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) by Governor Bob Taft in 2006 and reappointed by Governor Ted Strickland in 2007. Ms. Lemmie is active in state regulatory organizations, including serving as president-elect of the Organization of MISO States (OMS), a Board Director of the National Regulatory Research Institute (NRRI) and a member of the Financial Research Institute Advisory Board at the University of Missouri, her alma mater. She is also immediate past president of the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA) where she is a NAPA Fellow.

Prior to her appointment as Commissioner, Ms. Lemmie had a distinguished career in local government serving as city manager for the cities of Petersburg, Virginia, Dayton and Cincinnati Ohio. Early in her public service career, Ms. Lemmie was the deputy director of the D.C. Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs where she was responsible for the oversight of state regulatory functions, including land use and zoning, facility citing and permitting, and environmental standards and protection. She was later appointed Arlington County, Virginia’s first Director of Environmental Services.

Over the course of her local government career, Ms. Lemmie has directed and provided oversight of municipal utilities, including water and sewer services, a major waste-to-energy facility and landfills with methane gas recovery sold to the energy grid. She also served as the local government representative on President Clinton’s Greenhouse Gas Advisory Committee and more recently as the local government member of House Speaker Dennis Hastert’s Committee on Urban Redevelopment.

Ms. Lemmie has been an adjunct professor at both Howard University and the University of Dayton, teaching courses in consumer affairs and public administration. She has also been a Fellow at the Center for Excellence in Municipal Management at George Washington University and a scholar-in-residence at the Kettering Foundation.

A published author and speaker on public policy and state regulatory issues nationally and internationally, Ms. Lemmie earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Urban Sociology from the University of Missouri and a master’s degree in Urban Affairs/Public Policy Planning from Washington University. She has completed post graduate work in economics at Virginia State University and executive leadership programs at Harvard University and the University of Virginia.

Andrew T. Levine
President/Chief Creative Officer
Development Counsellors International
New York, NY

Andrew Levine is President of Development Counsellors International (DCI), a New York-based firm that specializes exclusively in economic development and tourism marketing.

Since 1960 his firm has worked with over 350 economic development organizations including 40 of the 50 states. He is the primary author of “Winning Strategies in the Economic Development Marketing Game” (a continuing survey of corporate executives with site selection responsibilities).

He has worked closely with key editors, writers and producers at a range of media outlets including The Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, The New York Times, Forbes, Business Week, The Economist, ABC World News Tonight and CNN.

He has spoken before a range of audiences including the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), CoreNet, Educational Seminar for Tourism Organizations (ESTO), Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and numerous statewide economic development groups.

Honorable Ronald O. Loveridge
Mayor, City of Riverside
President, National League of Cities
Riverside, CA

Ronald O. Loveridge is a motivated and inspirational public servant who is currently serving his fifth term as Mayor of Riverside, marking 30 years in elected office. Mayor Loveridge was elected to public office in 1979 as a City Councilmember for Riverside’s 1st Ward and elected as Mayor in 1994.

Mayor Loveridge is widely recognized for his local and regional leadership, as well as for his Statewide advocacy where he is an active and longstanding member of the League of California Cities Board. Mayor Loveridge also serves on the Board of Directors of the National League of Cities and is this Washington, D.C. based organization’s President in 2010. Serving some 19,000 cities and towns across the United States, the National League of Cities allows Mayor Loveridge the opportunity to advocate for and represent the City of Riverside and the nation’s cities at the highest levels.

Ron’s commitment to clean air issues is evidenced through his longtime board membership on the South Coast Air Quality Management District, and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed Mayor Loveridge to the California Air Resources Board in 2004.

A political science professor at the University of California, Riverside since 1965, Mayor Loveridge has a PhD. from Stanford.

Diane C. Lupke, CEcD, FM
President
Lupke & Associates
Evanston, IL

Ms. Diane Lupke, CEcD, FM is President of Lupke & Associates, Inc., Consultants in Community Economic Development. Lupke & Associates, Inc. is a consulting firm specializing in market-based solutions for communities in economic transition. Since its founding in 1990, Ms. Lupke, her Associations, and Staff have helped more than 100 communities to identify niche opportunities, build consensus, and transform lagging economies with “new economy” methods. Ms. Lupke is an authority on the use of enterprise zones and other special tools for development, and she has twenty-five years experience in designing and implementing development strategies. Lupke & Associates has earned distinction for its work with distressed communities that face particular challenges: urban neighborhoods, struggling downtowns, and isolated rural economies. Ms. Lupke has been an active member of IEDC and its predecessor organization CUED since the mid-1980s and has served on the Board of Directors of both organizations. Ms. Lupke holds a BA from Earlham College and the MPA degree from Indiana University. She is on the Board of Advisors for the Local Policy Journal based in the United Kingdom and co-author of the OECD publication “Entrepreneurship: A Catalyst for Urban Regeneration”.

Mike Manikowski
Executive Director, Office of Economic Development, Ontario County, New York
Chairman, New York State Economic Development Council, Canandaigua, New York
Canandaigua, NY

Mike Manikowski is the Executive Director of the Ontario County Office of Economic Development and also serves as the Director of the Ontario County Industrial Development Agency. In addition, Mike is the Chairman of the New York State Economic Development Council, representing more than 900 members and economic development organizations across New York State.

Mike has more than 35 years of experience in economic development and has been active in NYSEDC for nearly 20 years. He has been the guiding force behind the technology-led economic development strategic plan for Ontario County for two decades and earned the Robert T. Dormer Economic Developer of the Year Award from NYSEDC in recognition of his ongoing leadership and commitment tech-led economic development.

Robert J. Marcusse
President & CEO
Kansas City Area Development Council
Kansas City, MO

Bob Marcusse joined the Kansas City Area Development Council (KCADC) in 1991 as president and chief executive officer. During his tenure, KCADC along with its state and local partners have attracted companies that have created over 30,000 new jobs and $4.0 billion in capital investment to the 18-county, bi-state Kansas City region.

Bob has an extensive background in domestic and international corporate attraction, business growth and retention, and regional marketing. He has spearheaded major growth initiatives in the region such as the Kansas City Area Life Sciences Institute, KC Animal Health Corridor and KC SmartPort and the Trade Data Exchange.

Bob’s community involvement extends well beyond his role at KCADC. Bob serves on the Executive Committees of KC SmartPort and Missouri BIO. He is a member of the University of Kansas Edwards Campus Advisory Board, Rockhurst University School of Business Advisory Board and University of Missouri Economic Development Cabinet. He is immediate past Chairman of the University of Kansas Medical Center Research Institute.

Bob has also held leadership positions with the Columbus (OH) Area Chamber of Commerce, the Economic Development Council for the Peoria area, Battle Creek (MI) Unlimited, and the Inland Port Authority of South Central Michigan and Foreign Trade Zone #43.

Bob graduated from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with a Bachelor of Science degree. He received his Master of Science from Purdue University.

Becky McCray
Principal
Becky McCray and Associates
Hopeton, OK

Becky McCray brings social media expertise to new markets. She has been featured in The New York Times, BusinessWeek, and Entrepreneur Magazine for her social media experience. She publishes the popular website, Small Biz Survival, and has presented at social media conferences such as BlogWorld Expo, 140Conference/London, and South by Southwest Interactive.

She is a small town business owner, with a retail store and a cattle ranch in Woods County, Oklahoma. Through her consulting firm she helps small town governments, and promotes entrepreneurship and tourism in small towns. She is the author of 20 Small Business Ideas for Small Towns and Shop Local Campaigns for Small Towns. You can find her online at SmallBizSurvival.com

Don McEachern
President & CEO
North Star Destination Strategies
Nashville, TN

Don McEachern, CEO of North Star Destination Strategies, is the recognized expert in the exploding field of community branding. He is a sought-after speaker on all topics related to community branding and the formation of private-public partnerships to fund branding. Using a process that combines research, strategy and creative, Don has helped create unique and effective brands for big-name cities like Anchorage, Alaska; Santa Rosa, California and Williamsburg, Virginia. That same process and passion has also been applied to small cities that will soon be household names such as Uvalde, Texas and Warrensburg, Missouri. North Star clients have won a variety of awards for their branding campaigns including Two IABC Bronze Quill Awards for Best Marketing Communication and Best Strategic Communication; The Destiny Award from the Travel Industry of America; The Gold Adrian Award from the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association and The Research-In-Action Award by the Travel and Tourism Research Association (TTRA), South Central States Chapter.

Don has been growing brands and leading teams for more than 20 years. His experience includes working for multi-national advertising agencies as well as nationally recognized creative boutiques. During his time in the ad world, Don put his stamp on some of the world’s most famous brands including Goldkist, Hawaiian Tropic, Suntory Bottled Water Group, Trump Plaza, Panasonic and Lanier Worldwide. For his efforts he received numerous awards, including a prestigious national Effie for marketing effectiveness and a Clio for excellent creativity.

Don is a graduate of the University of Tennessee where he received his degree in Communications with an emphasis in Advertising.

Christiana K. McFarland
Program Director, Finance and Economic Development
National League of Cities
Washington, DC

Christiana McFarland is Program Director for Finance and Economic Development in the Center for Research and Innovation at the National League of Cities. The Finance and Economic Program is a national resource providing guidance and assistance to municipal officials by identifying and sharing innovative local practices, building networks of local officials working on similar issues and concerns, and conducting research on the key challenges facing municipalities. Her professional interests include small business development and entrepreneurship, retail and downtown redevelopment, municipal finance, and local and regional economic governance. Ms. McFarland also serves as the manager of NLC’s research program.

She has published or co-published scholarly and applied works on these topics, as well as presented at national conferences, including Urban Affairs Association, New Partners for Smart Growth, Association of American Geographers and the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials. She graduated from the George Washington University with a BA in political science with a concentration in public policy and economics (2001) and with an MPP in policy analysis and research with a concentration in urban policy (2002). She is currently working toward her PhD in Planning, Policy and Governance at Virginia Tech.

Dennis Meseroll
Director
Tractus Asia Ltd.
Bangkok, Thailand

Dennis Meseroll is one of Tractus Asia’s Bangkok-based Directors. He helped found the company in 1995 and has since then been responsible for the firm’s business development and corporate strategy advisory practice in Asia. During his 14 years with Tractus, Mr. Meseroll has worked with clients in the real estate, electronics, consumer goods, automotive and heavy manufacturing industries, as well as advised investment promotion agencies across Asia. His work has spanned the areas of corporate strategy, strategy implementation, site selection, partner screening, mergers and acquisitions, negotiations support, and project management.

Mr. Meseroll is also on the advisory board of Site Selection Magazine and the faculty of CoreNet Global, where he teaches about site selection and foreign direct investment issues in Asia. He is a member of the Association for Asian Studies, the Mineral Economics and Management Society (MEMS) and the co-founder of the Small to Medium Enterprises Committee of the American Chamber of Commerce in Thailand. After receiving his B.A. in geology from Rutgers University, Mr. Meseroll spent a year as a Fulbright fellow in Thailand completing research that would lead him to his M.A. in applied/mineral economics from Pennsylvania State University. He is fluent in Thai.

Maria Meyers
Network Builder
US SourceLink
University of Missouri
Kansas City, MO

Maria Meyers has been at the University of Missouri – Kansas City (UMKC) since 2003, when she crafted a public-private partnership to launch a venture that became known as KCSourceLink.

KCSourceLink connects a network of more than 140 nonprofit resources in the Kansas City region that can help small businesses start and grow. The successful launch in Kansas City led Meyers and her team to take the network nationwide. The SourceLink model has been adopted in more than 15 regions across the country as part of the larger U.S.SourceLink.

At UMKC, Meyers was also instrumental in the creation of the Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, establishing entrepreneurship as a mainstream field of study that now offers BBA, MBA and PhD degree concentrations in entrepreneurship.

Her extensive start-up background includes serving as Chief Operating Officer for both an early stage biotech company and during the $240 million project to create Science City at Union Station, a science museum and renovated train station in Kansas City, MO. Meyers holds positions on the National Small Business Development Center Advisory Board to the U.S.SBA and the Entrepreneurial Support Organization Advisory Board to the Edward W. Lowe Foundation.

Meyers received Digital Equipment Corporation’s Circle of Excellence Award and the Westinghouse Signature Award of Excellence. KCSourceLink won the 2007 Excellence in Economic Development Award for Enhancing Regional Competitiveness from the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration.

She has a degree in physics from Iowa State University.

Simon Francis Millcock
Economic Development Officer
Indian Ocean Territories
Attorney-General's Department
Christmas Island, Australia

As a Director of Economic Development Australia (EDA) for the past 3 years Simon Millcock has developed policy, procedures and risk management documentation, managed 2008 and 2009 Economic Development Australia Awards for Excellence, been the liaison within EDA for progressing opportunity for link with INED, assisted in establishing the South Australian Practitioner Network and Western Australian Practitioner Network of EDA, and has developed a Regional and Remote Economic Development Training Program with a focus on indigenous communities designed to be rolled out across Australia.

Simon Millcock has a strong background in regional development in the State of South Australia and was employed by the Yorke Regional Development Board as an Economic Development Officer for both Wakefield and Mallala Councils (two small local governments). He served short stints with the Department of Trade and Economic Development as Manager Regions and then as Executive Officer for the Sturt Area Consultative Committee which has led him to his most exciting and challenging role.

Simon Millcock is currently the Economic Development Officer for Australia’s Indian Ocean Territories working with the small isolated island communities of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands and Christmas Island and employed by the Attorney-Generals Department.

He is a 2005 Graduate of the Leaders Institute of South Australia Governor’s Leadership Foundation.

His background in food systems includes working with some of Australia’s leading regions and companies in the horticulture, viticulture, pork and poultry industries, and has just completed a horticulture feasi8bility study for the Indian Ocean Territories. Simon Millcock is now attempting to support the development of this industry.

David Monkman
President
National Business Incubation Association
Athens, OH

David Monkman is President & CEO of National Business Incubation Association (NBIA), the world's leading trade association advancing business incubation and entrepreneurship, with over 1,900 members from over 60 countries. David previously worked as a development consultant for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Asian Development Bank, the European Commission and different trade associations in other markets. David was founder and director of Pakistan's SME Business Support Fund (BSF) to improve entrepreneurs' competitiveness using external business development services. David was also commissioned to help wind down a decade’s worth of interventions by USAID to develop Zimbabwe’s small enterprise sector and was commissioned to evaluate programs operated by the South African government to support new venture development. David has founded two companies and has participated in 10 new start-up or early-stage companies, especially in the area of financial services. David brings nine years of wide-ranging capital markets experience at seven financial services companies specializing in asset management, derivatives and foreign exchange trading, investment banking and real estate investing. David holds a master’s degree in economic history from the London School of Economics.

Jonathan Q. Morgan, PhD
Assistant Professor, Public Administration & Government
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - Institute of Government
Chapel Hill, NC

Michael G. Morris
Chairman, President & CEO
American Electric Power Co., Inc.
Columbus, OH

Michael G. Morris is chairman, president and chief executive officer of American Electric Power, one of the nation’s largest electric utilities, and chairman and CEO of all of AEP’s major subsidiaries. Morris was elected to his current positions in January 2004, joining AEP after serving as chairman, president and chief executive officer of Northeast Utilities from 1997 to 2003. He was president and chief executive officer of Consumers Power Company from 1994 to 1997, and executive vice president and chief operating officer of Consumers Power from 1992 to 1994. Morris is past chairman of Edison Electric Institute and the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations and a director of Nuclear Electric Insurance Limited, Alcoa, Battelle Memorial Institute and The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. He received his B.S. and M.S. (science) degrees from Eastern Michigan University in 1969 and 1973, respectively, and J. D. from Detroit College of Law in 1981.

Jay C. Moon, CEcD, FM
President & CEO
Mississippi Manufacturers Association
Jackson, MS

Jay is the President 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. During that period, Jay was responsible for attracting well-known national and international businesses such as Caterpillar, Sunbeam, Asics, Mazda, BMW and many others to the State of Mississippi. Recently he led the successful effort to locate the new $1.5 billion Nissan Automotive Assembly facility that will employ 5300 employees. Through Jay’s efforts, the state development authority received consistent recognition for its innovative programs, including acknowledgement as one of the top ten development organizations in the US. Jay has extensive experience in international markets including Asia, Europe, and Latin America. He has led dozens of trade and investment missions and has managed international offices in seven countries. In addition, Jay has successful community based economic development experience, having directed the economic and community development programs for the City of Gulfport, Mississippi for many years. Jay has also held responsible positions in the states of Kentucky and Georgia. Jay is a Certified Economic Developer. He served on the board of the American Economic Development Council for two terms and he currently serves on the board, certification and international committees of the International Economic Development Council. Jay is a former board member and President of the National Association of State Development Agencies. He is a graduate of the Economic Development Institute where he was an instructor on international trade and investment and where he was awarded the Robert B. Cassell Student Leadership Award. Jay has also taught a course on international development as a part of the basic course at the University of Southern Mississippi. Jay has an undergraduate degree in International Relations and a Masters of Public Administration from the University of Georgia.

Lesia Bates Moss
President
Seedco Financial Services, Inc.
New York, NY

Lesia (Lisa) Bates Moss’ multifaceted career spans the private and public sectors. She has worked for top US companies such as Fannie Mae, Moody’s Investors Service and JPMorgan Chase (formerly Chemical Banking Corporation) and various City and State government agencies in New York. More than half of Lesia’s career has been spent on Wall Street in fixed income and credit research, risk management and business development.

Lesia was named President of Seedco Financial Services, a private, non-profit national Community Development Financial Institution that provides loan financing and technical assistance services to small businesses, nonprofit organizations and real estate developers to stimulate local community economic development in its target markets. Headquartered in New York City, Seedco Financial conducts business in Alabama, Colorado, Louisiana, New York and Tennessee, and has more than $200 million in assets under management. Seedco Financial Services, Inc., is a wholly-controlled subsidiary of Seedco (Structured Employment Economic Development Corporation), a national intermediary that facilitates the delivery of employment and related services to low income individuals in low-income and underserved communities throughout the country.

Prior to joining Seedco Financial, Lesia was President/CEO of LBM & Associates, a consulting firm that provided management and strategic consulting services to a broad range of organizations. Previously, she served as vice president and head of counterparty risk management of Fannie Mae, in Washington, DC, where she led the company’s efforts to revamp and consolidate financial and credit risk analysis activities in the single-family mortgage division. Leading a team of credit, policy and due diligence professionals, Lesia expertly managed risk mitigation efforts to minimize losses from distressed sub-prime and Alt-A mortgage lenders. Through her leadership, the company was able to avoid several hundred million dollars in losses. In addition, Lesia was able to significantly enhance high-level regulatory relationships through proactive and consistent dialogue around new risk management strategy and implementation efforts.

Mary Ann Newton, CEcD
President
West Monroe - West Ouachita Chamber of Commerce
West Monroe, LA

Mary Ann Newton is the President of the West Monroe-West Ouachita Chamber of Commerce and serves as liaison between the City of West Monroe and the Chamber. She is a graduate of the University of Louisiana at Monroe and the University of Oklahoma Economic Development Institute and is a Certified Economic Developer. Prior to her position with the WMWO Chamber, Mary Ann was the Owner/President of Dixie Bonded Warehouse of Ouachita, Inc. - the largest bonded, commercial warehouse for raw materials in the tri-state area. She was also the owner/operator of Dixie Transportation and a member of the American Trucking Association, the Louisiana Motor Transport Association, the American Warehousing Association and served as a member of the Louisiana Department of Transportation Inter-modal Planning Committee. She possesses a wide range of expertise in the warehousing, distribution and logistics arena.

During her tenure with the WMWO chamber, Mary Ann has restructured the organization. Its focus becoming Community and Product Development; working in conjunction with the Ouachita Parish School Board, the City of West Monroe, the University of Louisiana at Monroe, the Louisiana Technical College System and many rural municipalities and communities. Chamber emphasis has been placed upon improving education – providing services, programming and support to develop, enhance and create opportunities for teachers, staff and students. Most recently, Newton authored the Framework for Addressing Poverty. The program has led to a class offered at the University of Louisiana at Monroe providing support and instruction to classroom teachers improving test scores of children entering kindergarten. The program was awarded the Coordinating and Development Corporation’s 2009 Award of Excellence in Education.

Newton is the coordinator of the 20/20 Visioning Program for West Ouachita Parish funded by the City of West Monroe and Louisiana Economic Development. She is a member of the International Economic Development Council and serves on the Membership Committee. Mary Ann is Co-Chairman for the University of Southern Mississippi Trade, Transportation and Logistics Advisory Council, a member of the University of Louisiana at Monroe College of Business Advisory Council, the Delta Regional Authority Alumni Board and graduate of the Leadership Institute. In addition, she established the Delta Highway 65 Commission; a non profit entity created to provide infrastructure, healthcare, educational and housing needs to citizens residing in the Louisiana Delta.

Tim Nowak
Executive Director
World Trade Center Saint Louis

As Executive Director, Tim Nowak overseas a team of professionals and the delivery of valuable services to member companies. Under his direction, the World Trade Center provides customized trade research to identify global opportunities, trade focused events, key business contacts and introductions, and training and educational programs.

Nowak brings years of experience in business development, domestic and international sales, and management. He has extensive international working experience in Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, South America, and Africa. Nowak has managed and directed international sales organizations in the medical industry including distribution and direct sales strategies. His expertise includes analyzing international markets, determining business models, and executing sales and profit growth plans. He possesses solid experience in establishing international subsidiary organizations, managing legal and regulatory issues, and contract negotiations.

Born and raised in St. Louis, Nowak holds Bachelor of Science degrees in Marketing and Logistics from the University of Missouri - Columbia and a Master of Business Administration from Webster University.

WTC combines local experts with government resources to enhance international trade, promote local economic development, and ultimately foster peace and stability through trade. It also supports St. Louis County by guiding regional businesses to expand into foreign markets, hosting visiting trade delegations to St. Louis, and promoting the region as a place for international trade relations and economic growth.

John O’Grady
President
Franklin County Board of Commissioners
Columbus, OH

John O'Grady was elected to the Franklin County Board of Commissioners in November 2008, and took office in January of 2009. He was elected Board President by his peers in January of 2010. John had previously served two four-year terms as the Franklin County Clerk of Courts.

As Commissioner, John has been a strong advocate for economic development. During his tenure, the Board of Commissioners has supported several important projects such as the construction of the Hilton Convention Center Hotel, Grange Audubon Center, Columbus Commons, Central Park of Gahanna, Scioto Mile, and the Columbus Rickenbacker Multimodal Yard.

John also led efforts to create the Somali Work Group, an ongoing collaboration between numerous county agencies, courts, and community partners from within Franklin County. This organization meets regularly to discuss the needs of immigrant communities within central Ohio and how government agencies can respond more effectively.

Commissioner O’Grady has also served on several Franklin County boards and commissions: The Emergency Management & Homeland Security Executive Committee, Automatic Data Processing Board, Criminal Justice Planning Board/Community Corrections Board, and Investment Advisory Board.

Carmen Ortiz-McGhee
President
The Marathon Club
Washington, DC

Carmen Ortiz-McGhee is President of The Marathon Club (TMC), a membership organization established to accelerate relationships among some of the best and bright¬est business minds in the United States to create environments for enhanced wealth creation and deal flow for professionals of diverse ethnicities.

As President, Carmen has led TMC in developing an unprecedented network of affluent, deal-focused professionals by partnering among The Executive Leadership Council, the National Association of Investment Companies and New America Alliance. Through Carmen’s leadership TMC has created vehicles through which these groups can continuously interact to close deals throughout the US or to leap onto the international stage as delegates to the World Business Angel Association or Committee of 100 - Greater China Conference in China … fostering relationships a half world away.

A passionate advocate for the growth and success of diverse businesses, Carmen regularly speaks at conferences focused on the U.S. Emerging Domestic Market including The U.S. Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency events, Hispanic IT Executive Council meetings, IT Senior Manager’s Forum meetings, the New America Alliance Wall Street Summit and the American Association of Blacks in Energy among others. She is a board member of venture catalyst Jumpsart, Inc., a member of the Advisory Board of the Hispanic IT Executive Council and the University of Virginia Alumni Diversity Advisory Committee. Carmen received her BA in Psychology from the University of Virginia.

John W. Partridge, Jr.
President
Columbia Gas of Ohio
Columbus, OH

Jack Partridge is president of Columbia Gas of Ohio. He has served as president since October 2003. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Columbia Gas of Ohio is the state’s largest natural gas utility. The company’s 1,500 employees serve nearly 1.4 million residential, commercial and industrial customers in 60 of the state’s 88 counties. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of NiSource Inc., based in Merrillville, Ind., which merged with Columbia Energy Group on November 1, 2000.

Partridge began his career with Columbia Gas in 1977 as a governmental affairs representative at Columbia’s local distribution company in Pennsylvania. He was promoted to governmental affairs director in 1979, and was named vice president in 1985. He was named vice president of rates with Columbia distribution companies in Pennsylvania, Kentucky, New York and Maryland in 1989.

He was elected senior vice president, responsible for Columbia Gas of Ohio’s communications, regulatory, federal and state governmental affairs, sales and marketing and gas transportation activities, in 1996. His duties have included senior management responsibility for Columbia Gas of Ohio’s 1.3 million-customer statewide unbundling CHOICE® program.

A native of Yonkers, New York, Partridge holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Ithaca College, Ithaca, New York.

He is Chair of the Columbus Chamber of Commerce board of directors and serves on the executive and finance committees. Partridge is also a member of The Ohio Business Roundtable, the CompeteColumbus board of directors, the Columbus Partnership and the CAPA board of trustees.

He served as a member of the Ohio Governor’s Workforce Policy Board and Chairman of the Goodwill Columbus Board of Directors.

Ed Peterson
Council Member
City of Lakewood, Colorado

Ed Peterson is a Colorado native and resident of the City of Lakewood, a first tier suburb of Denver and the 4th largest city in Colorado. Ed is a construction and development consultant and principal of Annandale Consultants Inc.

He has served on numerous advisory panels, boards and commissions at the national, state and local level. He served on the Lakewood Planning Commission and is a past chair and was instrumental in re-writing the City’s comprehensive plan moving it to a performance based model. He was elected to the City Council in 2003 and has served as Council president and mayor pro-tem. He was appointed to represent Lakewood on the Denver Regional Council of Governments Board of Directors in 2004 and served as Chairman of the Board in 2009/2010. As chair he hosted the 2009 National Association of Regional Council’s annual convention in Denver and sponsored an off site presentation highlighting the regions light rail (Fast-Tracks) program. He serves on the Jefferson County Criminal Justice Prevention Sub-Committee and helped institute “Life-Skills Training” which has demonstrated great success in reducing drug and alcohol use as well as other anti-social behaviors in adolescents. The program is now part of school curriculum in 41 Jefferson County middle and high schools.

Mr. Peterson is currently working with “DRCOG” and other stakeholders in developing a regional sustainable best practices model for the Denver Metropolitan Region, which for the first time will bring a broad base of constituents together to look at land use, transportation, economic development, air and water quality and social and economic needs in a holistic approach for regional sustainability.

He is also active member of the National League of Cities and serves as chair of the City Futures Panel on Community and Regional Economic Development and is in his fourth year as a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Steering Committee for NLC.

Eric S. Phillips
Executive Director, Union County Economic Development Partnership
CEO, Union County Chamber of Commerce
Marysville, OH

Isabelle Poirier
Founder
INTELEGIA Consulting
Montreal, Quebec
Canada

Consultant for 15 years, Isabelle advises organizations and professionals in their strategies for branding, communication and business information sharing both on Web 1.0 and 2.0 platforms.

In 2009, she piloted one of the largest Facebook Page for economic development in Canada. She also co-authored, “Web 2.0 And Business Attraction - Canadian Cities Online Marketing Index“, the first benchmark study regarding how Canadian cities economic development agencies are marketing their regions to potential investors. The second edition will be published in Fall 2010.

An information specialist, Isabelle conceptualizes online information solutions (i.e. database for sales and investor leads prospects, sectoral portals and industry mapping) for the business and economic development. Isabelle’s clients include government agencies (i.e. Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, Alberta Finance and Enterprise, Enterprise Saskatchewan, Industry Canada, Quebec Economic Development Agency, City of Montreal), large corporations, (e.i. Alcoa) and associations (e.i. Toronto Region Research Alliance, Greater Toronto Marketing Alliance)

She lectures on the use of social media for economic development and tourism. Since July 2010, she is a guest lecturer on the subject of Improving economic development practices through business intelligence and web 2.0 tools at Georgia Tech Enterprise Innovation Institute, in Atlanta, GA. Since 2005, more than 600 clients have attended Intelegia’s seminars.

Kenneth E. Poole, PhD
CEO / Executive Director
C2ER Council for Community and Economic Research
Arlington, VA

Kenneth E. Poole In January 2000, Kenneth E. Poole formed an independent non-profit affiliated with George Mason University and C2ER that is focused on developing a stronger understanding of how regional economies can compete effectively in the knowledge-based economy. As part of those efforts, Dr. Poole directs a national nonprofit membership organization (C2ER) serving economic and community development researchers in communities, states, academia, and the private sector. In his capacity of Executive Director, Dr. Poole oversees all program development activities of the organization including the production of the organization’s newsletter, annual conference, web site, and publications.

As CEO of the Center for Regional Economic Competitiveness, Dr. Poole is undertaking organizational development, strategic planning, network building, and technical assistance efforts to foster knowledge-based economic development. Recent projects have involved managing a multi-county regional analysis and strategy process for 12 counties in western North Carolina, implementing a county-wide strategic plan for Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, assisting in facilitating a regional economic strategy for a multi-county region in western Virginia, and developing an operating plan for a two-county development organization on Long Island and Brooklyn.

Dan W. Preston
Vice President, Economic Development
Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce
Bowling Green, KY

Dan Preston serves as Vice President of Economic Development for the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce, 2009 ACCE Chamber of the Year. In this position, he provides general guidance and oversight to the Chamber’s economic development efforts in the areas of business retention and expansion, infrastructure development facilitation and planning. Dan also collaborates with the Chamber’s Workforce Development Committee, which has earned national recognition for its Work Ethic Seal program and Industrial Training Consortium. He is an integral component in the Chamber’s regional branding and award-winning regional economic development partnership, which includes marketing and the development of an award-winning website. He also promotes the nationally recognized Kentucky Transpark, a high-amenity business and industrial park.

Dan previously served as the Vice President of Business Retention & Expansion for the Economic Development Authority of Wayne County, Indiana. Dan has a long history of professional success, as he was responsible for attracting projects resulting in hundreds of new jobs impacting the local economy. He designed and implemented the programs used in business expansion and retention, and was active in formulating an overall marketing program that received international recognition.

Luis M. Proenza, PhD
President
University of Akron
Akron, OH

Luis M. Proenza is President of The University of Akron and a national leader in science and technology policy. Prior joining Akron, Proenza was Vice President for Research and Dean of the Graduate School at Purdue University and, previously, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Research at the University of Alaska. He served on the U.S. Arctic Research Commission (U.S. Presidential appointment); U.S. Secretary of Energy Advisory Board; NAS-NRC Committee on Vision; National Biotechnology Policy Board; as Advisor for Science and Technology Policy to Alaska’s Governor; and on the U.S. President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology.

He currently serves on the executive committee and National Innovation Initiative Leadership Council of the Council on Competitiveness; Council on Foreign Relations; The National Academies’ Government-University-Industry Research Roundtable; the Technology Innovation Program Advisory Board for the National Institute of Standards and Technology, and the board of the States Science and Technology Institute. He is Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities co-chair of the APLU/AAU Patent Reform Committee.

Dennis Pruitt, CEcD
Vice President, International Business Recruitment
Missouri Partnership
St. Louis, MO

In May 2008, Dennis Pruitt joined the Missouri Partnership as Vice President of International Business Recruitment, focusing on recruiting new foreign direct investment into the state of Missouri.

Pruitt is active in IEDC. He received his CEcD in 2005 and is a member of the International Committee, serving this year as its chairman. He is a graduate of the Economic Development Institute. Prior to joining the Missouri Partnership, Dennis was the Executive Director of the Montgomery County Action Council, a countywide economic development organization based in Independence, Kansas. He is past chairman of the economic development council of Southeast Kansas, Inc., a 13-county regional economic development group and served on the board of the Kansas Economic Development Alliance.

Dennis received a BA in History and French from Harding University and a Master’s of Urban Planning from Texas A&M University. Pruitt is originally from Iowa but has lived in Malaysia, Thailand, and France. Dennis and his wife Naam have two children.

Robert A. Radcliff
Managing Principal
Resource Development Group
Dublin, OH

Rob is a principal officer of Resource Development Group. He has personally managed dozens of economic development funding campaigns that have generated over $200 million for client organizations, including small, mid-sized and large metropolitan markets.

Rob’s expertise includes economic development, government relations and corporate giving. He was Senior Partner at The Suddes Group for six years prior to launching Capital Funding Strategies, now Resource Development Group. Early in his career he served as Vice President of Government Affairs for The Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce, as Executive Assistant to the President at Bank One and as Staff Director of the Ohio Senate’s Economic Development and Small Business Committee.

In 1980, Rob was awarded his Bachelor or Arts degree from The Ohio State University, majoring in Political Science with a minor in Economics. He received his Juris Doctor from The Capital University School of Law in 1987. Rob resides in Columbus, Ohio with his wife, Donna, and their four children.

Darrin Redus
Chief Economic Inclusion Officer
JumpStart Inc.
Cleveland, OH

Darrin Redus, a national thought leader in inclusion entrepreneurship, has over 15 years experience in assisting and financing early-stage businesses. Darrin leads JumpStart Inclusion Advisors, which guides high impact minority and women-owned businesses seeking to raise capital from private investors in order to become larger scale national and international firms. It also assists high impact businesses situated in the urban centers of Northeast Ohio, whose businesses directly impact minority populations.

Darrin joins the JumpStart team having served most recently as Founder and CEO of Redus Small Business Advisors, LLC, a strategic planning and management assistance firm Darrin established in 2003. Prior to establishing his own consulting group, Darrin dedicated 16 years to the commercial banking and finance industry, holding a series of senior level management positions with National City Corporation and KeyCorp. At National City, Darrin served the small and middle market business community, providing leadership and support to enterprises ranging from startups to international firms with up to $100 million in annual revenues. At KeyCorp, Darrin held the position of Senior Vice President in charge of the company’s business banking operations for Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana. Darrin holds an MBA from Baldwin-Wallace College and an undergraduate degree from Mount Union College. In 1999 he was selected by National City Bank and Baldwin Wallace College as an Emerging Leader in the Cleveland community, and over the past 15 years has led a series of workshops and seminars on matters of economic development and diversity.

Rick Ritter
Interim President/CEO
VP Business Development
Idaho Tech Connect
Nampa, ID

Toby J. Rittner, EDFP
President & CEO
Council of Development Finance Agencies
Cleveland, OH

Mr. Rittner runs the day-to-day operations of the Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA), which includes management of a 32 member Board of Directors, and the organization’s various educational, advocacy and research initiatives. Rittner is a frequent speaker at local, state and national conferences and events focused on economic development finance. He has been featured extensively in The Bond Buyer and other national media publications concerning the advancement of development finance tools. He is the author if CDFA's highly acclaimed Practitioner's Guide to Economic Development Finance and is a Certified Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP) through the National Development Council (NDC). Rittner has also advised state and federal government leaders, including President Obama’s Administration Transition Team, on economic development finance policy and focus.

Prior to joining CDFA, Mr. Rittner was the Director of Legislative Affairs and former Director of Training for the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). Mr. Rittner has also worked for the Franklin County, Ohio Board of Commissioners, Community and Economic Development Department as a Senior Program Coordinator for Economic Development and as an Associate Planner for the City of Gahanna, Ohio.

Mr. Rittner is a member of the Board of Directors for the Mid-America Economic Development Council (MAEDC) a 10 state, regional economic development finance association and is a member of the Advisory Board for Heritage Ohio. Heritage Ohio is a statewide nonprofit organization promoting the revitalization movement in Ohio. Rittner is also an appointed member of City of Cleveland Heights Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC), which oversees the city’s annual CDBG program. Mr. Rittner holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Master's of City and Regional Planning degree from the Ohio State University.

Jon Roberts
Managing Director
TIP Strategies, Inc.
Austin, TX

Jon Roberts is the Managing Director of TIP Strategies, Inc. (TIP), in Austin, Texas. He is an international leader in economic development and has overseen projects throughout the U.S., as well as in Europe and Asia. Mr. Roberts is currently involved in a variety of development and recruitment projects.

In addition to being a practitioner in the field, he has prepared policy papers on national economic development strategy, published articles on economic development marketing, and has written editorials for major newspapers. Mr. Roberts is a sought-after speaker on economic development issues nationally and internationally.

Mr. Roberts was formerly the Director of Business Development both for the State of Washington and then for the State of Texas. In these positions, he directed recruitment and investment and led international trade missions.

Prior to working for the Washington Department of Trade, Mr. Roberts was with the Oregon Technology Fund, where he was responsible for venture capital investments. He also managed two start-up technology companies: Fiberlite Composites and LifePort Inc., and worked with the Center for Entrepreneurial Ventures.

Mr. Roberts was elected to the board of KMFA radio in Austin, Texas, and is active in the technology community. He maintains his ties to the Northwest and is a Fellow of the Washington World Affairs Council in Seattle. He has served on the boards of several start-up technology companies and on state task forces and gubernatorial committees. He has lectured in business at the University of Washington, the University of Texas, and was on the faculty at Marylhurst College in Portland, Oregon. Mr. Roberts has also proven to be a successful entrepreneur. He is the founder of a mountain bike company in Portland, Oregon.

James S. Russell, CEcD
President
Pizzuti Solutions
Columbus, OH

Jim leads the Pizzuti Solutions team, a division dedicated to public/private partnerships. Pizzuti Solutions’ current project list includes a new $105 million courthouse for Franklin County, Ohio; a new training facility and soccer complex for Major League Soccer’s Columbus Crew; and a site and economic impact analysis and construction phasing plan for a proposed new city hall in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Jim brings an in-depth understanding of the economic development process combined with a practical experience in strategic planning and development to his clients. His creativity and broad background in government have coupled to make Jim a valuable team member in the development process, particularly in recognizing and crafting public/private partnerships. Jim was awarded the designation as a Certified Economic Developer in 1996 by the International Economic Development Council.

His professional affiliations include the American Planning Association (APA); Florida Redevelopment Association; National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP); and the Ohio Economic Development Association.

Jean Carter Ryan
Executive Director
Columbus-Franklin County Finance Authority
Columbus, OH

Jean Carter Ryan is the Executive Director for the Columbus-Franklin County Finance Authority. As the first employee hired by the Finance Authority, Jean was responsible for starting up all aspects of the operations of the Finance Authority, which is a port authority under Ohio law. In the past three years, the Finance Authority has issued $88 million in bond financing, closing on ten (10) projects that will invest over $170 million and create 1,200 jobs in Central Ohio.

Jean was previously the Deputy Director of the Economic Development Division within the Ohio Department of Development. Jean oversaw the Offices of Business Development, Tax Incentives, Workforce Development, Financial Incentives, Loan and Grant Servicing, and Small Business. The Economic Development Division had a budget of $275 million and managed a loan/bond portfolio of over $400 million.

The Division was instrumental spearheading Governor Taft’s Job Ready Sites, Third Frontier, Jobs Cabinet and Domestic Trade Mission initiatives. The Division had been involved in successfully landing projects such as: General Dynamics new production line; United States Enrichment Corporation Commercial Plant for centrifuge technology; GM’s Transmission expansion and new Cobalt production line; DaimlerChrysler’s expansion and supplier park; SUMCO USA expansion of its silicon wafer production; Whirlpool’s expansions at two separate locations; Progressive’s corporate headquarters expansion; and DHL’s hub. These projects were all competitive with other states and countries, committing to investments in Ohio of over $23.3 billion, creating over 3,400 new jobs and retaining 16,500 jobs.

Jean had been with the Department since April of 1989 and has a B.A. in American Studies from Smith College, Northampton, MA and a Masters in City and Regional Planning from The Ohio State University.

Paul M. Saldana, CEcD
President & CEO
Tulare County Economic Development Corporation
Tulare, CA

Paul has served as President & CEO of the Tulare County EDC since 2001. He is the immediate Past Chairman of the California Association for Local Economic Development and served on the Board for the American Economic Development Council. A Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) since 1993, he has served as an Instructor for CETYS University Economic Development Program in Mexico since 2004 and previously for the University of Oklahoma Economic Development Institute. The recipient of 18 national and state economic development awards, Paul has achieved designation as an Accredited Economic Development Organization in two different organizations he has managed. Paul also serves as a member of the Board of the California Enterprise Development Authority, Board of Regents for the California Academy for Economic Development and served three terms as Chairman of the Central California EDC.

Paul was appointed by Governor Schwarzenegger to the Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley, serves on the Advisory Board for Southern California Gas Company and is on the Tulare County Workforce Investment Board. Paul is active in Valley Bible Fellowship and serves on the School Site Council for Exeter High School, where he lives with his sons Lauren and Sage.

John A. Sandor
Architectural Historian
Technical Preservation Services
National Park Service
Washington, DC

John Sandor has worked as an architectural historian in the Technical Preservation Services Branch of the National Park Service for nearly 14 years. He reviews rehabilitation projects seeking certification for federal tax credit, and provides assistance to the users of the program and the general public on technical aspects of preservation. He previously worked as the architectural coordinator for the West Virginia State Historic Preservation Office and has experience as a preservation consultant and a carpenter. He is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University in architecture.

Christian Saublens
Executive Manager
European Association of Development Agencies (EURADA)
Brussels, Belgium

Christian SAUBLENS is Belgian and has an experience of more than 30 years in lobbying the European Community authorities.

He is the Executive Manager of EURADA, the European association of Development Agencies. The association has 140 members operating in more than 25 countries.

Christian helped the creation of EBAN, the European network promoting the stimulation of informal venture capital at regional or national level. He is currently supporting the network of Innovating Regions in Europe.

Christian has written several papers regarding the impact of EU regulations on regional development and the role of development agencies in Europe.

C. Robert Sawyer
Regional Director
Chicago Regional Office
Economic Development Administration
United States Department of Commerce
Chicago, IL

Robert Sawyer has led the Economic Development Administration’s six-state Chicago regional office since 1995. He has reorganized the office into geographic teams to improve efficiency and quality, reflected in improved customer satisfaction. This reorganization allowed the office to maintain productivity at a constant level despite a 33 percent staff reduction. As regional director, Mr. Sawyer has managed economic development grants totaling approximately $600 million for the Chicago region that serves Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin. These grants have attracted private investment worth $9 billion and created 158,000 jobs.

Since becoming regional director, he has changed focus from infrastructure expansion and improvements to economic development based on strong entrepreneurial ecosystems and vigorous technology commercialization. One example of this strategy is a $735,000 grant in to identify and nurture entrepreneurs in a 21-county region in Northeastern Ohio, resulting in the creation of 664 jobs and $90 million in private investment. Another grant awarded under Mr. Sawyer’s leadership created The Center for Advanced Technology and Innovation, now recognized as one of the nation’s best at commercializing orphan corporate technology. This strategy also guided the Chicago region’s support for a new aviation business cluster in Duluth, Minnesota where the core manufacturer has grown to have the largest share in its worldwide market.

Mr. Sawyer has been EDA’s leader in the agency’s response to the decline of the Detroit Three Automobile Companies. Anticipating the impact of their decline well in advance, he initiated with the University of Michigan a program known as the Community Economic Assistance Program, which was operational before the numerous plant closures in 2008 and 2009 and has had 27 sessions since 2007 to assist communities develop recovery strategies.

Don C. Schjeldahl
Vice President & Director
The Austin Company
Cleveland, OH

As Vice President and Director for Renewable Energy Strategies for The Austin Company, Mr. Schjeldahl is responsible for guiding renewable energy and sustainability initiatives for Austin’s global consulting, engineering and construction practice.

Mr. Schjeldahl works with renewable energy companies, primarily solar, wind and smart grid manufacturers, to define location strategies across the value chain. Mr. Schjeldahl also coordinates Austin resources aligned with the design and installation of renewable energy systems at client facilities.

Recent clients include Sanyo Solar and German solar module manufacturer CentroSolar. Mr. Schjeldahl has also been a recent advisor on renewable energy policies to the states of Ohio and Oklahoma.

Mr. Schjeldahl has over 30 years of professional experience in the development and implementation of corporate location strategies for commercial and industrial clients, 25 years with Austin Consulting.

Since joining Austin Consulting, Mr. Schjeldahl has performed or directed more than 300 location strategy studies for manufacturing plants, distribution centers, aviation facilities, research and development centers, newspaper plants, broadcast studios and information processing centers. His work on location studies has included labor market analysis, supply chain logistics, community evaluation, urban land use analysis, tax evaluation, incentive negotiation, site/building assessment and environmental hazard analysis.

Clients include, aerospace companies, financial institutions, machinery manufacturers, food processors, pharmaceutical firms, consumer products firms, commercial airlines, major daily newspapers, solar and wind manufacturing companies, and television broadcasters.

His research efforts on renewable energy have included attendance of important trade shows and conferences and trips to Europe and Japan to meet with corporate leaders to understand factors that will guide short term and long term investment patterns.

Mr. Schjeldahl has worked on behalf of Austin clients in urban centers and rural areas throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, United Kingdom and throughout Europe.

Mr. Schjeldahl is a frequent contributor to industry-specific publications and location selection journals including Area Development, Business Facilities, and Site Selection, and Baking & Snack. His most recent article, "Unraveling Renewable Energy," appeared in the July/August 2009 issue of Trade and Industry Development Magazine. Mr. Schjeldahl recently particated in Solar Power 2009 (a global industry exhibition and conference) in Anaheim, California in October 2009 with a presentation titled, “The Role of Incentives in Location of Solar Manufacturing.”

Steven Schoeny
Principal
SZD Whiteboard
Columbus, OH

As a Principal with SZD Whiteboard, Steve Schoeny leads a collaborative team of professionals and attorneys across Whiteboard and its parent firm, Schottenstein Zox & Dunn, to accelerate and deliver client solutions within economic development, including negotiating deals for companies looking to expand, consolidate or relocate.

Steve has an unparalleled understanding of state and local incentive programs, how incentive deals are done and the relationships needed to put it all together. While with Ohio Department of Development, he served as the Director of the Strategic Business Investment Division and managed more than $500 million in state loan, grant and administrative funds and led the redevelopment of Ohio’s economic development incentive programs to focus on retention of existing businesses, encouragement of green technology deployment and effective analysis of the state’s competitive position on each deal.

He has also served as manager of the Office of Tax Incentives and executive director of the Ohio Tax Credit Authority. Earlier in his career, Steve served as the assistant deputy director of Ohio’s Global Markets Division.

Steve holds undergraduate degrees in political science and economics from Ohio University and his Masters of Public Management from the University of Maryland’s School of Public Affairs.

Craig Settles
President
Successful.com
Oakland, CA

For over 20 years Craig Settles' workshops, consulting services and books have helped organizations worldwide use technology to cut costs, improve business operations and increase revenue. His many in-depth analysis reports and latest book (Fighting the Next Good Fight: Bringing True Broadband to Your Community) establish Mr. Settles as a prominent thought leader on executing appropriate business strategies to deploy broadband networks. His public-sector clients include Glendale, CA and the State of California, with Microsoft and Symantec on his private sector client list.

John D. Sowell
Director Solutions
FedEx
Hernando, MS

Mr. Sowell joined FedEx in 1991 and has held positions in Operations, Sales, and Finance. In his current role as Managing Director in FedEx Solutions, Mr. Sowell is responsible for developing Supply Chain analytical capabilities to support FedEx customers across the globe.

Having spent the last five years designing transportation models based on the FedEx networks, Mr. Sowell’s experience has been an invaluable asset in assisting FedEx Sales with global account supply chain strategies.

Mr. Sowell holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Mississippi and a master’s degree in finance from the University of Memphis.

Roel Spee
Global Leader
Plant Location Internationa (PLI)
Global Location Strategies
IBM Global Business Services
Brussels, Belgium

Roel Spee is an associate partner with IBM Global Business Services and global leader of the PLI-Global Location Strategies service (aka IBM-PLI). He has over 20 years of experience as location strategy and economic development consultant.

Over the course of his career, he has built up huge expertise in advising international companies in location choices for a broad variety of industries and investment projects. He assisted corporate executives from international companies around the world with their strategic location choices for over 300 projects. Besides being a key advisor to IBM internally, external clients include over 200 companies such as Bayer, Citibank, Procter & Gamble, Shell, Sony, Toyota, Unilever, and many other leading global companies and fast growing companies in new emerging industries.

Moreover, Roel is one of the very few consultants globally that is able to leverage his broad pragmatic experience working directly with international companies in their location selection projects for advising investment promotion and economic development agencies: developing and implementing both marketing strategies to attract new and retain present businesses, as well as economic development strategies for improving business conditions in their regions. Customers worked for include over 100 public sector organizations as well as public-private partnerships worldwide. Many of these were assisted with multiple engagements leading to a total of over 300 economic development projects globally.

William C. Sproull
President & CEO
Richardson Chamber of Commerce
Richardson, TX

William Sproull began as President and CEO of the Richardson Chamber of Commerce, the Metroplex Technology Business Council, and Richardson Economic Development Partnership in October, 2004. He was recently re-appointed by Texas Governor Rick Perry to his third two-year term to the board of the half-billion dollar Texas Emerging Technology Fund, on which he currently serves as Vice-Chair . He also serves on the Board of the International Economic Development Council. Prior positions include Vice President of Economic Development at the Greater Dallas Chamber, President and CEO of the McKinney Economic Development Corporation, Vice President and Director of Business Development for the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City Missouri, and Director of Business Retention for the Kansas City Corporation for Industrial Development.

Mr. Sproull received his B.A. from Baylor University with a double major in Economics and Political Science in 1982. He is also a graduate of the Basic Economic Development Course at the University of South Florida. He is a past president of Missouri Industrial Development Council. His work was recognized by the editors of Site Selection magazine when they selected the Texas Instruments $3 billion wafer fab project as the Top Development Deal of 2003. Site Selection has also selected his teams three times as one of the top 10 development groups in the U.S. in 1994, 1997 and 2004. He is also a two-time recipient of the American Economic Development Council’s “Best of Class” marketing award.

John B. Sternlicht, Esq., CEcD
Sr. Director, Strategic Projects
SRI International
Arlington, VA

John Sternlicht, Esq., CEcD, joined SRI International as Senior Director of Strategic Projects in October 2007. John is based at the Arlington, Virginia office of SRI (founded as Stanford Research Institute in 1946), a global nonprofit research institute covering such diverse fields as bioscience (including drug development), engineering, IT, materials, energy, and policy (including economic development, education, and health care, from program design to assessment). John’s responsibilities include providing vision, leadership, and strategic direction for multidisciplinary projects, and creating business development, government and commercial marketing opportunities worldwide.

Previously, after ten years’ practice first in a multinational law firm and then in the Virginia Attorney General’s Office, John served eleven years as General Counsel and Legislative Director of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP). During that time, John also served as Virginia's Deputy Secretary of Commerce and Trade under Governor Mark Warner (2002-2006), where he oversaw the activities of fifteen diverse agencies in economic development, legislative, regulatory, strategic planning, personnel, and other arenas.

John received his BS from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, and his JD from the University of North Carolina School of Law. He also studied journalism and mass communications at the Université de Fribourg (Switzerland) on a Rotary International Graduate Fellowship. In 2001, John earned the certified economic developer designation from the International Economic Development Council. He is fluent in English, French, German, and Spanish.

George Sterzinger
Executive Director
Renewable Energy Policy Project
Washington, DC

George Sterzinger, Executive Director of the Renewable Energy Policy Project, has more than twenty years experience in energy policy and regulation and clean technology commercialization. REPP under his direction developed the methodology widely used to gauge the potential for domestic manufacturers to become major component suppliers for renewable technologies. Reports and analyses based on that methodology have now been completed for more than half the states. REPP is currently working with pilot states to develop the combination of federal, state, and local policies that will capture that potential.

Mr. Sterzinger also worked extensively with the Corporation for Solar Technologies and Renewable Resources to establish solar development zones in Nevada. He did the feasibility study for that project and wrote the initial RFP that secured an agreement with Enron to develop up to 100 MW of PV capacity and sell the output at 5.2 cents per kWh (adjusted for inflation). At that time the project was unable to find buyers willing to enter long-term contracts needed for project finance and was unsuccessful.

In the late 1980’s as Commissioner of the Vermont Dept. of Public Service he initiated state efforts to secure an advanced gasifier that could use waste wood to power an advanced turbine generator. A commercial scale gasifier was demonstrated at the McNeil generating station in Burlington, Vermont. The gasifier is currently under development in several commercial biomass-to-energy projects.

Mr. Sterzinger’s experience convinces him that renewable development must have more than strong research and technology development. Over the past ten years commercialization of successful research and development has been tragically neglected. Progress on climate change requires successful commercialization efforts at the federal level for all carbon free technologies.

Honorable Ted Strickland
Governor
State of Ohio
Columbus, OH

After Ted Strickland was first reelected to Congress, he placed a plaque in his office with the following quote from Scripture:

"And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"-Micah 6:8

Throughout his service as a minister, a psychologist, a professor and a Member of Congress, Ted worked to exemplify those simple, powerful words. That same plaque is now in the Governor's Office, where those same words guide Ted each day.

As Governor, Ted believes that Ohio government must live within its means while investing in what matters. Brought together by a sense of common purpose, legislators from both parties have worked closely with the Governor to strengthen Ohio.

Understanding that nothing will ensure Ohio's future prosperity more than creating a world class education system, Governor Strickland won the legislature's support for new funding for early care and learning, primary and secondary education, and Ohio's public colleges and universities.

Ted secured funding to pay for 250 new elementary, middle and high schools, each being built to meet nationally recognized standards of energy efficiency.

In the decade before Governor Strickland came into office, tuition at Ohio's public colleges and universities had increased an average of 9 percent every year. To make it easier for more Ohioans to afford college, the governor and the legislature have now frozen tuition for two years at all of Ohio's public colleges and universities.

Governor Strickland has also sought to increase access to health care coverage. The legislature passed and the governor signed into law legislation that would guarantee health care coverage for all Ohio children. While continuing to seek federal approval to implement the program, Governor Strickland is seeking alternative means to make sure all of Ohio's children are covered.

To reduce the burden of property taxes, especially for those living on fixed incomes, Governor Strickland proposed a property tax cut for every senior citizen homeowner in Ohio. Thanks to his efforts and support from the legislature, Ohio's senior homeowners will save an average of $400 every year.

During his service in Congress, Ted built an impressive record on behalf of the people of Ohio. He was instrumental in expanding access to health insurance for children, ensuring that America kept its promises to our veterans, and in bringing home millions in investments for roads, technology, economic development and health initiatives.

Ted was elected governor of Ohio on November 7, 2006, and was sworn into office on January 8, 2007.

Mark M. Sweeney
Senior Principal
McCallum Sweeney Consulting
Greenville, SC

Mark Sweeney is a Senior Principal with McCallum Sweeney Consulting (MSC), providing site selection services and economic development consulting to companies and organizations worldwide. MSC clients include Sallie Mae, LM Glasfiber, PACCAR, Austal, Boeing, TVA, Nissan, Dollar General, Michelin and Oreck.

With more than eighteen years experience in site selection and economic development, Mr. Sweeney assists companies identifying, evaluating and selecting the optimal location for their capital investments. Mr. Sweeney also provides consulting services to leading economic development organizations across the United States in such areas as strategic planning and organizational design, site certification, adaptive reuse, target industry programs, incentive strategies and sustainable development strategies.

Mr. Sweeney has assisted clients in a wide variety of industries, from automotive manufacturing to software development and internet services. Recent clients include Sallie Mae (credit operations center), Nissan (headquarters; auto assembly; engine; warehouse), Michelin (tire; rubber; warehouse), and Oreck (cleaning equipment; headquarters). Of particular note is the Nissan automotive assembly plant that located near Jackson, MS in November 2000 and the Nissan headquarters that announced for Nashville TN in 2006. Economic development clients include TVA, the States of Pennsylvania and Tennessee, Duke Energy, Southern California Edison and Mississippi Power.

David C. Sweet
President
Youngstown State University
Youngstown, OH

After a decade of leadership, David C. Sweet retired as the sixth President of Youngstown State University on July 1, 2010. His career spans four decades and includes university and state government service. He began his career at Battelle Institute where he headed regional economics research. Throughout his career, Dr. Sweet has played an active role in the economic development and revitalization of cities.

During his tenure at YSU, the university experienced record enrollment growth, celebrated its Centennial with a capital campaign raising more than $53 million and undertook the construction of a new business college building, student recreation center and student housing. Dr. Sweet formed many partnerships with local business, government, and nonprofit organizations in the region and worked collaboratively with Mayor Jay Williams in developing the nationally acclaimed comprehensive plan, Youngstown 2010.

Previously, he was the founding dean of the Levin College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University that established a national reputation for its city management/urban policy program. Earlier in his career, he served as the director of the Ohio Department of Development, Commissioner of the Ohio Public Utilities Commission and head of the state’s first energy agency.

Dr. Sweet is the only academic to be elected president of the American Economic Development Council(now IEDC) and is a Fellow(FM) and Honorary Life Member(HLM) of the Council. He holds a Ph.D. from Ohio State University, an M.A. from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and a B.A. from the University of Rochester.

Jerry W. Szatan
Principal
Szatan & Associates
Site Selection Consultants
Chicago, IL

Jerry Szatan has almost thirty years experience in site selection, economic development and real estate investing in the United States and abroad. He formed Szatan & Associates, a location strategy, site selection and economic development consulting firm based in Chicago, in 1998. Site selection projects include headquarters, R&D, manufacturing, distribution centers, call centers, back offices, and other corporate facilities for companies including: Boar’s Head Brand, Carlson Wagonlit Travel, Davis Selected Advisors, Equiserve, First Card, Hewitt Associates, Nature’s Path, Organics LaGrange, Sun Microsystems, Union Pacific Railroad, Waste Management and Wausau Insurance.

He advises state and local economic development organizations nationally on economic development strategy, marketing, labor markets and best practices benchmarking. He was a senior manager at The Fantus Company, a regional economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and worked in real estate investment and public policy analysis.

Mr. Szatan writes and speaks widely on site selection issues and methods, labor market analysis and regional economic development. He has written about: labor market evaluation, demographic trends, facility consolidation issues, rural site selection, intermodal freight development, green economic development, cultural institution building and community image and other topics. He has spoken before many state, national and international professional groups including the International Economic Development Council, Business Retention and Expansion International, National Association of Foreign Trade Zones and the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago’s conference on headquarters locations and been quoted in the Wall Street Journal and other business publications.

Mark W. Tatge
Visiting Professor
E.W. Scripps School of Journalism
Ohio University
Athens, OH

Mark W. Tatge is a journalist/author who writes about and teaches business at Ohio University’s E.W. Scripps School of Journalism. He is a frequent financial commentator on ABC, CNBC, MSNBC, CNN, FOX and PBS stations. Tatge is formerly Chief of Forbes Magazine’s Midwest Bureau where he oversaw the magazine’s Web, print and video operations in Chicago. As a senior editor, Tatge helped compile Forbes’ Best Places For Business and the 400 Richest American’s list. He also profiled chief executives at many of the largest U.S. corporations including: FedEx, US Airways, United Airlines, Motorola, Boeing, 3M, Best Buy and Monsanto. Tatge previously worked as an investigative reporter at the Cleveland Plain Dealer’s statehouse bureau, The Wall Street Journal, Dallas Morning News and The Denver Post. He has won numerous awards including the Chicago Headliner Club’s Peter Lisagor Award for Exemplary Journalism, the Ohio Society of Professional Journalists' First Amendment Award and the Morton Margolin Prize for Distinguished Business Reporting. The Associated Press Managing Editors named Tatge the Best Business Writer in Texas. Tatge is currently a contributing editor to the investment research firm Morningstar where he writes about tax and financial issues. He recently authored the New York Times Reader: Business and Economics, published by CQ Press. Tatge owns DeadlineReporter LLC, a media consulting and content development firm based in Athens, Ohio.

Tom Tveidt
Research Economist
SYNEVA Economics LLC
Asheville, NC

SYNEVA Economics LLC is led by Tom Tveidt. Mr. Tveidt is a research economist who has more than 15 years experience in providing objective and clear regional analysis for public and private decision makers. He is an actively practicing consultant with expertise in regional economic assessment, economic impact analyses, industry targeting and industrial site selection. Tom regularly speaks before business groups, government organizations and public groups, detailing regional economic trends and issues. Mr. Tveidt is frequently quoted in newspapers, business journals, and TV news programs.

Mr Tveidt has been an invited instructor for the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), the National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB) and the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). Currently Mr. Tveidt sits on the Executive Board and is chair-elect of C2ER and the Editorial Review Board for the journal Applied Research in Economic Development, published by Southern Mississippi University. Tom is also an active member of the National Association of Business Economics.

Mr. Tveidt has a BA in Economics from the University of California, Santa Barbara, California and an MBA in Finance from California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, California.

Anatalio Ubalde, FM
CEO & Co-Founder
GIS Planning, Inc. and Zoomprospector.com
San Francisco, CA

Mr. Ubalde’s work in geographic information systems, economic development and the Internet has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, BusinessWeek, Forbes, and Inc. magazine. He is a previous recipient of the International Economic Development Council Outstanding New Economic Developer of the Year Award and is a member of the Board of Directors for IEDC. Mr. Ubalde has also accepted the CoreNet Global Economic Development Leadership & Accomplishment Award for GIS Planning. He has received awards from the Council for Urban Economic Development, American Economic Development Council, CALED, American Planning Association, and was featured in the U.S. Department of Commerce “Innovative Local Economic Development Programs” publication. Mr. Ubalde is a highly sought-after thought-leader on the subject of economic development Internet and GIS strategies and has made presentations on these subjects throughout North America, Asia and Europe. He has been a keynote speaker or presenter for IEDC, Stockholm Challenge, Bremen Initiative, Texas Economic Development Council, California Association for Local Economic Development, Mid-American Economic Development Council, Southern Economic Development Council, Oklahoma Economic Development Council, Oregon Economic Development Association, American Planning Association, and other organizations. He is the author of publications including the 2008 book Economic Development Marketing: Present & Future, and articles in Economic Development America, Economic Development Commentary, and the Canadian Economic Development and Technology Journal. Before co-founding GIS Planning he worked in local economic development with a focus on downtown revitalization, waterfront redevelopment, business attraction/expansion, business retention, and site selection assistance. Mr. Ubalde is a sixteen-time United States Master’s Diving National Champion in springboard diving and an All-American. He has a Masters degree in City Planning from the University of California at Berkeley.

Steve Vierck, CEcD
President, Economic Development Division
Angelou Economics
Austin, TX

Steve Vierck is president of the Economic Development Division for AngelouEconomics, one of the largest economic development/site selection consulting organizations within the U.S.

Vierck directs activities in the areas of strategic planning, industry targeting, marketing assessment, organization benchmarking, industry closure recovery strategies, economic impact analysis and workforce development.

Recent economic development clients of the firm include Colorado Springs, Colorado; Providence, Rhode Island; Detroit Aerotropolis; Texas Clean Energy Park; Parsons, Kansas; Moraine, Ohio; and the Greater Phoenix Economic Council. The firm has assisted a wide range of corporations with site selection including Hewlett-Packard, Conoco-Phillips, and Dell.

He combines the skills and understanding of a seasoned economic development consultant with a consistent record of achievement at the community, regional, and state levels. His extensive business development, marketing, and workforce development experience includes serving as National Marketing Director for the Arizona Department of Commerce, where he directed Arizona’s marketing and business attraction programs, Senior Vice President of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council where he led business recruitment and expansion efforts and President and CEO of southern New Mexico’s Mesilla Valley Economic Development Alliance.

Steve has served for many years at the International Economic Development Council’s Economic Development Courses as a highly rated instructor. He is a recipient of the “William W. Lampkin Award for Long-term Excellence in Economic Development”. He holds a Bachelors degree in Regional Development and a Masters Degree in Geography (Economic) from the University of Arizona. He has earned the Certified Economic Developer designation (CEcD) from IEDC.

Greg Wachalski, AIA, NCARB
Regional Vice President
Brailsford & Dunlavey
Chicago, IL Partnering to Meet University and Community Real Estate Development Needs Speaker

A licensed architect, Mr. Wachalski combines business background with architectural experience. Prior to joining Brailsford & Dunlavey, he practiced architecture in Chicago with Daniel P. Coffey Associates and A. Epstein & Sons International. His experience ranges from Bally Total Fitness health clubs to larger-scale projects such as AmeriSuites Hotel, in which Mr. Wachalski participated in all design phases, including schematic design, design development, construction documents, and construction observation.

At Brailsford & Dunlavey, Mr. Wachalski has engaged in feasibility studies and planning for a variety of building types, with a particular emphasis on market analysis, financial analysis, and detailed programming. In addition, Mr. Wachalski has assisted institutional clients in preparing Requests for Qualification and Requests for Proposals for Design-Build services. He also has participated in the Design-Build team selection process. Mr. Wachalski is bilingual with an excellent knowledge of Polish.

Mr. Wachalski has worked on more than 100 facility planning assignments throughout the country, and heads up B&D’s Chicago office.

Since its inception in 1993, Brailsford & Dunlavey has planned over 500 projects in 48 states and three foreign countries with an aggregate project value exceeding $10 billion. The firm has worked on over 250 college and university campuses and for more than 70 municipalities.

Mr. Wachalski holds a M.B.A. and B.Arch. from the Illinois Institute of Technology. He is a registered architect in the District of Columbia and a member of the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB).

Marcel W. Wagner, CEcD
President & CEO
Allen Economic Development Group
Lima, OH

Marcel W. Wagner Jr. has been the president and CEO of the Allen Economic Development Group since 1994. Prior to moving to Lima, Mr. Wagner spent 20 plus years in the manufacturing business with the Magic Marker Corporation of Cherry Hill, NJ and Nationwide Industries in Philadelphia.

Mr. Wagner serves on the Board of the Black Swamp Council of the Boy Scouts of America, the board of Downtown Lima, Inc., the Board of Lima Area Habitat for Humanity and is an active member of the International Economic Development Council. Mr. Wagner also serves on the Professional Certification and Education Committee of the International Economic Development Council.

Mr. Wagner has a BS degree in Economics from King’s College, Wilkes Barre, Pa and a degree in Transportation and Logistics Management from the Academy of Advanced Traffic, Philadelphia, Pa. In 1997, Mr. Wagner graduated from the Economic Development Institute of the University of Oklahoma and received the Certified Economic Developer professional status in January, 1998 from the International Economic Development Council.

Mr. Wagner has two daughters, Beth, 38, Director of Music Education for the University of the Arts, Philadelphia, and Jacqui, 28, an electrical engineer with Marathon Oil, Findlay, Ohio. Mr. Wagner has a granddaughter, Ana Clare. Mr. Wagner is a resident of Elida, Ohio.

Jennifer Wakefield, APR
Director, Public Relations
Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission
Orlando, FL

As Director of Public Relations, Jennifer Wakefield is responsible for providing strategic direction for the organization’s public relations efforts; managing media relations and social media; providing communication counsel to the organization’s executives and board officers; and developing various communication and marketing materials.

Ms. Wakefield is recognized as a thought leader in developing social media strategies and has extensive experience in strategic communications planning, executive consulting, proactive issues management and media relations. Results of her media relations work have appeared in New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Business 2.0, CNET, BNET, CNN.com, USA Today, Delta Sky, Lufthansa Exclusive, AirTran GO, as well as regional, national, international media outlets and industry trade publications.

Ms. Wakefield holds her accreditation in public relations (APR), which signifies a high professional level of experience, competence and ethical standards. She has nearly a decade of public relations and marketing experience.

Prior to joining the EDC in 2006, Ms. Wakefield worked as the Public Relations Manager for METROPLAN ORLANDO - the regional transportation planning agency - where she was responsible for media relations, marketing and public involvement. She also has previous experience in the financial services and utility industries. For her work, she has received numerous local, state, national and international awards.

She serves on the board of directors of the East Orlando Chamber of Commerce and the Public Relations Society of America (Orlando). She is the public relations chair for the Orlando Military Affairs Advisory Committee and serves on the public relations committees of Orlando/Orange County Convention and Visitors Bureau, bioOrlando, UCF Nicholson School of Communications Alumni, A Gift for Teaching and Harbor House.

Laith A. Wardi, CEcD
President
ExecutivePulse, Inc.
Erie, PA

Laith Wardi, CEcD, is president of ExecutivePulse, Inc., an economic development consulting firm specializing in business retention based in Erie, PA. With over 15 years experience in economic development, Laith helped to pioneer the most advanced and comprehensive business retention system in North America that later formed the basis for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s state-wide business retention program. ExecutivePulse Inc. provides skills training, survey development, database systems and management consultation to clients seeking to implement a systematic, sustainable business retention program.

He is a regular instructor on business retention for the professional certification program sponsored by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). Laith is a graduate of Mercyhurst College and received his economic development certification through IEDC in 2002.

John Warner
Director
McKinsey & Company
Cleveland, OH

Rick L. Weddle, FM, HLM
President & CEO
Research Triangle Foundation of NC
Research Triangle, NC

Rick L. Weddle is President and CEO of the Research Triangle Foundation of North Carolina since 2004, owner and developer of The Research Triangle Park. Previously, he led regional economic development organizations in four states, including the Greater Phoenix Economic Council, the Toledo, Ohio Regional Growth Partnership, the San Joaquin Partnership & Business Council in Stockton, California and Winston-Salem Business Inc in North Carolina. Active in the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) since its inception, Mr. Weddle, a Fellow Member, was elected as the first Chairman of the Board of IEDC in 2002 and received the designation of Honorary Life Member in 2007 and recently received the 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Economic Development in honor of Edward deLuca. Rick also serves on the boards of various regional, national and international organizations: North American Division President of the International Association of Science Parks (IASP); Association of University Research Parks (AURP); Research Triangle Regional Partnership; Vice Chair of Government Affairs, Legislation and Policy for the Regional Transportation Alliance; and Co-Chair of Reality Check, a joint effort of the Urban Land Institute and Triangle Tomorrow. He and his wife, Ginger, live in Cary.

Mark L. Weinberg, PhD
Director
Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs
Ohio University
Athens, OH

Professor Mark Weinberg is the director of the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs at Ohio University. The Voinovich School at Ohio University integrates scholarship, learning, and practice to: solve environmental and energy problems; use strategic information to improve government and nonprofit decision making and capacity; build businesses, educate entrepreneurs and develop the region’s economy; and develop current and future strategic leaders in public and environmental affairs. Professor Weinberg continues to teach and conduct research in strategy development and implementation in the public and nonprofit sectors. He teaches in the Ohio University Executive Leadership Institute which he cofounded with Hugh Sherman, Dean of the College of Business and Marsha Lewis at the Voinovich School. He holds undergraduate and master’s degrees in political science from the University of Maryland and a Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

David Wilhelm
Founding Partner
Woodland Venture Management
Gahanna, OH

A native of Appalachian Ohio, Wilhelm is a firm believer in the idea that every individual should possess the tools to make the most of their God-given potential—and it is that idea that informs his business and political commitments.

Wilhelm is an entrepreneur at heart—among the many start-ups he has launched or backed, he is the founder of Hopewell Ventures, Adena Ventures, and New Harvest Power, companies designed to bring sustainable job and wealth creation to the central Appalachian region and the rural Midwest.

In the world of politics, Wilhelm is best known for his work as a manager of high-level campaigns, including the 1992 presidential campaign of William J. Clinton, and campaigns for Vice President Joseph Biden, the Mayor of Chicago, Richard Daley, and the late U.S. Senator from Illinois, Paul Simon. Upon his election, President Clinton nominated Wilhelm to serve as Chair of the Democratic National Committee.

More recently, Wilhelm co-chaired the successful campaign to renew Ohio’s innovative “Third Frontier” job creation program and, in 2008, was one of the first superdelegates to support the candidacy of then-Senator Barack Obama for the presidency.

Wilhelm is a graduate of Ohio University and Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. He is the recipient of honorary doctorates from Ohio University and the University of Charleston. He has taught at the University of Chicago and DePaul University and is currently a Visiting Professor at Ohio University’s Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs. Wilhelm and his wife, Degee, live in Bexley, Ohio, and are the proud parents of two teenage sons, Luke and Logan.

Joy Wilkins, CEcD
Manager, Community Innovation Services
Georgia Tech Enterprise Innovation Institute
Atlanta, GA

Joy Wilkins, CEcD is manager of the community innovation services group at Georgia Tech’s Enterprise Innovation Institute and oversees the development and delivery of the Institute’s services for economic developers, local government officials, and other leaders representing cities, counties, and regions. She directs teams to advise communities on a variety of strategic issues, and has also led numerous research initiatives to investigate public policy matters for state and federal sponsors. Prior to Georgia Tech, Joy served as a consultant for economic development and real estate clients and as a researcher at the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce where she developed dozens of publications and reports concerning metro Atlanta’s economic development landscape for prospects and investors. She is also a periodic freelance writer.

Joy entered the economic development profession in 1994 and is a Certified Economic Developer by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). She is a frequent public speaker and instructor on economic development, strategic planning, and quality management topics, and has authored several articles appearing in journals, newsletters, and other publications. Joy holds a master’s degree in city planning from the Georgia Institute of Technology, a graduate certificate in real estate from Georgia State University, and a bachelor’s degree, with sociology and political science majors, from the State University of New York at Fredonia. She is a member of numerous professional associations and committees, and serves on advisory boards for two civic interests.

Ben Wright
CEO
Atlas Advertising
Denver, CO

Atlas Advertising helps economic developers reach national and international prospect and site selection audiences. We deliver branding, website development, GIS mapping, research, and creative services professionally and with a staff experienced in economic development. Unlike firms with little or no economic development experience, Atlas Advertising uses a proven mix of economic development marketing tactics that generate interest from site selection audiences.

Atlas Advertising is led by a former economic development practitioner and has worked with 50+ different economic development clients in 30+ states. Our approach and experience means that our campaigns generate an average of three to as many as ten times the response of other campaigns.

Prior to founding Atlas Advertising in 2001, Ben Wright worked as a Director of Strategy and Website Development for a San Francisco-based agency. He brings this wealth of marketing and website knowledge into his company and all of his client-interactions.

Ben chose to focus Atlas Advertising’s innovations on place-marketing because of his own deep love for places, as well as marketing. Having traveled to four continents and over forty-five U.S. states, Ben understands both places and those who choose to live in or visit them. He applies this passion for places and knowledge of people into Atlas Advertising’s very core, and, thus, into every project.

Stephen Yale-Loehr
Chairman, Americana Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)
Miller Mayer, LLP Attorneys at Law
Ithaca, NY

Steve Yale-Loehr has practiced immigration law for over 25 years. He is co-author of Immigration Law and Procedure, the leading multi-volume treatise on immigration law. He also teaches immigration and asylum law at Cornell Law School as an adjunct professor, and is of counsel at Miller Mayer in Ithaca, New York. He also is executive director of Invest In the USA (IIUSA), a trade association of EB-5 immigrant investor regional centers.

Mr. Yale-Loehr received his B.A. degree from Cornell University in 1977 and his J.D. cum laude from Cornell Law School in 1981. He was editor-in-chief of the Cornell International Law Journal. After graduation, Mr. Yale-Loehr clerked for a federal judge.

From 1982 to 1986 Mr. Yale-Loehr practiced international trade and immigration law at a large law firm in Washington, D.C. From 1986 to 1994 he was managing editor of Interpreter Releases and executive editor of Immigration Briefings, two leading immigration law publications.

Mr. Yale-Loehr is the coauthor of many books, including America’s Challenge: Domestic Security, Civil Liberties and National Unity After September 11, Balancing Interests: Rethinking the Selection of Skilled Immigrants, J Visa Guidebook, Understanding the Immigration Act of 1990, and Understanding the 1986 Immigration Law, and numerous law review articles.

Mr. Yale-Loehr is a member of the New York and District of Columbia bars, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, and the U.S. Supreme Court. He is vice chair of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) Business Immigration committee.

Mr. Yale-Loehr is listed in Who's Who in America and in An International Who's Who of Corporate Immigration Lawyers as one of the best immigration lawyers in the world. He is the 2001 recipient of AILA’s Elmer Fried Award for excellence in teaching and the 2004 recipient of AILA’s Edith Lowenstein Award for excellence in advancing the practice of immigration law.

April Young, PhD, HLM
Senior VP and Managing Director
MMV Financial
Reston, VA

David R. Zaharchuk
Senior Managing Consultant
IBM Global Business Services
Ashburn, VA

Mr. Zaharchuk is a Senior Managing Consultant and Service Area Manager in IBM Global Business Services’ Business Strategy Practice and the Americas Leader Coordinator for IBM’s Plant Location International (PLI) services. Mr. Zaharchuk joined IBM through their acquisition of PricewaterhouseCoopers Consulting. Mr. Zaharchuk has more than twelve years of experience in the consulting profession and has provided professional services to clients in both the public and private sectors in the areas of economic development strategy, corporate strategic planning, strategic resource allocation, performance measurement, e-business strategy, organizational design, business process re-engineering and program management.

Mr. Zaharchuk has led many efforts to develop and implement new and innovative strategies with executive and senior management teams and has international and cross industry experience in the telecommunications, information technology and mail package and freight industry sub-sectors as well as the government sector.

Mr. Zaharchuk is responsible for leading IBM PLI engagements in the U.S. and is responsible for leading IBM’s economic development projects with multiple clients in the United States.

Nancy L. Zimpher, PhD
Chancellor
The State University of New York
Albany, NY

On June 1, 2009, Dr. Zimpher became the 12th Chancellor of the State University of New York by unanimous vote of the SUNY Board of Trustees. With more than 440,000 students, SUNY is the nation’s largest comprehensive public university system.

A dynamic and nationally-recognized leader, Chancellor Zimpher is known as an effective agent of change in higher education. The Chancellor began her career as a teacher in a one-room schoolhouse in the Ozarks and has never lost her passion for providing accessible, quality education for every student.

As the first academic in recent memory to be appointed Chancellor, she is also the first woman to serve in this capacity in the system’s 60-year history.

As President of the University of Cincinnati, Dr. Zimpher led a bold, aggressive strategic planning process, UC|21: Defining the New Urban Research University, which transformed the campus into a national powerhouse and a model for urban universities in the 21st Century. Under her leadership, UC’s retention and graduation rates, student satisfaction ratings and national rankings all improved.

Prior to her tenure at UC, Dr. Zimpher served as chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and Executive Dean of the Professional Colleges and Dean of the College of Education at The Ohio State University.

Chancellor Zimpher began her work at SUNY with a statewide tour of SUNY’s 64 campuses, and has engaged a strategic planning process for the SUNY system that will serve as a model for statewide collaboration for public higher education in New York State and beyond.

She has authored or co-authored numerous books, monographs and academic journal articles on teacher education, urban education, academic leadership, and school/university partnerships.

Chancellor Zimpher holds a bachelor’s degree in English Education and Speech, a master’s degree in English Literature, and a Ph.D. in Teacher Education and Higher Education Administration, all from The Ohio State University.

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