Team Directory
Comprised of recognized leaders in economic development and professionals skilled in association management, our staff dedicates itself to supporting the endeavors of our members and advancing the profession and discipline of economic development as a whole.
Executive Office
Nathan Ohle
President & CEO
Jamie Richards
Chief of Staff
Blaine Dunn
Chief Financial Officer
Dell Gines, PhD
Senior Advisor
Finance & Administration
Jason Christian
Senior Director of Technology and Business Systems
Kyle Breckenridge
Director of Development
Darrence Adams
Senior Accountant
Cherrika Gordon
Accounts Receivable Manager
Carmen Giles, PHR
Human Resources Manager
Ann Miles-Brown
HR and Office Associate
Membership
Maria Berg-Stark
Vice President, Membership and Engagement
Amanda Jensen
Senior Manager, Member Engagement
Julia Sushelsky
Manager, Acquisition and Onboarding
Chanel Polk
Coordinator, Member Services and Operations
Alexandria Bianco
Senior Associate, Member Experience & Retention
Professional Development & Certification
Anne-Marie Burton
Vice President, Professional Development and Accreditation
Dana Crater
Director, Advisory Services
Anna Leigh Marquez
Curriculum Developer
Mesbah Aini
Learning and Development Associate
Monica Krause
Accreditation & Credentialing Associate
Emerging Practices
Nicole Manapol
Vice President, Emerging Practices
Delaney Luna
Director, Emerging Practices
Monica Brimm
Economic Recovery Corps Program Coordinator
Darnesha Tabor
Monitoring & Evaluation Specialist
Zytha Kock
Senior Program Manager, Emerging Practices
Kelliann Blazek
Project Lead, Rural Prosperity Initiative
Jared Gregorini
Evaluation and Impact Associate
ELED, Research and Partnerships
Zachary Barker
Director of Entrepreneurship
Yesilernis "Yesi" Peña
Senior Director of Research
Todd Lang
Director of Strategic Partnerships
Public Affairs
Brian Namey
Chief Public Affairs Officer
Carissa Merritt
Director of Conferences & Events
Carly Spiewak
Conference Programming Manager
Bryan Pierce
Senior Manager, Marketing & Communications
Alyssa Dole
Marketing & Communications Manager
Katelynn Thijs
Communications Manager (ERC)
Azaybrea Burgess
Senior Sponsorship Associate