Economic Development Now

IEDC is now accepting submissions for the 2023 Excellence and Leadership in Economic Development Awards. Take advantage of early-bird pricing and submit your entry by April 14.

Dennis Alvord received the Federal Leadership in Economic Development Programs Award in 2022. The award recognizes a federal program director who has gone above and beyond in administering a federal economic development program.

Alvord serves as EDA’s deputy assistant secretary for economic development and chief operating officer, and is responsible for enterprise-wide operations and program execution. He also serves as co-chair of the Department Management Council, comprised of senior executives from all of the Department of Commerce’s principal operating units.

Previously, as senior advisor to the deputy secretary, Alvord worked on a broad portfolio of department-wide management, operations, program, and policy issues, and co-chaired the DOC's 2016–17 presidential transition, coordinating efforts across the department and with the White House and president elect's transition team.

Before his senior advisor role, Alvord led startups as executive director of BusinessUSA, a government-wide, multiagency customer service initiative that promoted and improved access to business assistance resources, and as executive director of the DOC’s CommerceConnect initiative, which simplified access to the department’s business solutions.

Before joining the federal government, Alvord worked as a manager in the infrastructure finance group of an environmental and transportation consulting practice. Alvord holds a Master of Public Administration from George Washington University, and a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the State University of New York College at Cortland. He is a recipient of the 2015 President’s Award for Customer Service.

IEDC’s Excellence and Leadership in Economic Development Awards recognize the world’s best economic development programs, partnerships, and marketing materials, and the year’s most influential economic development leaders. These prestigious awards honor organizations and individuals for their efforts in creating positive change in urban, suburban, and rural communities. Receiving an award showcases your achievements and impact in the field, and winners are recognized at IEDC's Annual Conference. Please email [email protected] with any questions.