The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is excited to welcome and congratulate the 37 individuals who have recently earned the internationally recognized Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) designation. The multiple choice portion of the CEcD exam was administered on Friday, July 18, 2025, and oral interviews took place during the week of July 28-31, 2025. This certification demonstrates these 37 individuals' exceptional technical expertise, comprehensive conceptual knowledge, and mastery of economic development skills and strategies.
By achieving this certification, these economic developers have shown a mastery of skills in economic development and a dedication to their personal and professional growth. This milestone marks a significant achievement and underscores each designee’s commitment to excellence in the field of economic development.
The following individuals have achieved the CEcD credential:
| Erica Adams, CEcD Community Development Manager Hancock Economic Development Council Indianapolis, IN |
Emily Ku, CEcD Senior Economic Development Specialist City of Las Vegas Las Vegas, NV |
| Pamela Armstrong, CEcD Economic Development Director Bedford County, Virginia Bedford, VA |
Nicolas Langford, CEcD Economic Development Director City of Delaware Delaware, OH |
| Jose Burnes, CEcD Business Development Manager Prince George's County Economic Development Corporation Largo, MD |
Harrison Leffel-Jones, CEcD VP, Small Business and Innovation LEAP (Lansing Economic Area Partnership) Lansing, MI |
| Jose L. Ceballos, CEcD Real Estate and Economic Development Manager Fasken Oil and Ranch Laredo, TX |
Chad Matheson, CEcD Senior Vice President Albuquerque Regional Economic Alliance Albuquerque, NM |
| Jennifer Daniels, CEcD Economic Development Director Columbia County Board of County Commissioners Lake City, FL |
Jordan McKenzie, CEcD Director of Community and Economic Revitalization Memphis and Shelby County Community Redevelopment Agency Atoka, TN |
| Karla De La Riva, CEcD Director of Corporate Location and Advisory Services Greater SATX San Antonio, TX |
Meghan Parsons, CEcD Strategic Development Hartley Oil Ripley, WV |
| Brian Falin, CEcD Industrial Development Supervisor Wise County, VA Appalachia, VA |
Christopher G. Pike, CEcD Executive Director Jackson Redevelopment Authority Jackson, MS |
| Richard Foster, CEcD Director Economic Development and Natural Resources Department – Klickitat County Goldendale, WA |
Crystal Romanyszyn, CEcD President & CEO Shawnee Forward Shawnee, OK |
| Joey Gunning, CEcD Director of Economic Development Greater Spokane Incorporated Spokane, WA |
Shawnda Rooney, CEcD Economic Development Director City of Guthrie Guthrie, OK |
| Josh Hallingse, CEcD Vice President of Small Business Development & Business Retention Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce Wilmington, NC |
David Rose, CEcD Sr. Analyst Entergy Brandon, MS |
| Maureen Hammond, CEcD Executive Director Paris Economic Development Corporation Paris, TX |
Angela Ryan, CEcD Operations Manager Bastrop Economic Development Corporation Bastrop, TX |
| Elissa Hansen, CEcD President & CEO The Northspan Group, Incorporated Duluth, MN |
Amy S. Thibodeaux, CEcD Economic Development Project Manager Cleco Power Crowley, LA |
| Brian Harland, CEcD Executive Director Jefferson County Development Corporation Mt. Vernon, IL |
Liesl Seabert, CEcD Program Manager University of Northern Iowa – Institute for Decision Making Ankeny, IA |
| Danelle Hayer, CEcD Business Development Officer, Small Business and Entrepreneurship Loudoun County Department of Economic Development Ashburn, VA |
Erika Stricker, CEcD Executive Director Southeast Washington Economic Development Association Clarkston, WA |
| Lyndsy Jenness, CEcD Economic Development Consultant Nebraska Public Power District Bloomfield, NE |
Shellene Thurston, CEcD Economic Development Marketing Manager City of Bay City Bay City, MI |
| Maksim Khudiakov, CEcD Director of Economic Development & Tourism Town of Red River Red River, NM |
Jordan Tidey, CEcD Director of Economic Development County of Grande Prairie No. 1 Clairmont, AB |
| John Knight, CEcD Assistant Economic Development Director The City of Red Oak Red Oak, TX |
John Weidl, CEcD City Manager City of Whitewater Whitewater, WI |
| Barbara Koldos, CEcD Vice President, Business Development New North, Inc. Green Bay, WI |
Sidney Marsellas Williams, CEcD Economic Development Director City of Powder Springs, Georgia Atlanta, GA |
| April Kroner, CEcD Deputy Director of Economic Development City of Tempe, Arizona Tempe, AZ |
The CEcD designation establishes an industry benchmark of excellence and signifies the world's most knowledgeable and dedicated individuals in the field of economic development. It sets the gold standard for professionals who are steadfastly committed to fostering innovation, attracting investment, and driving economic growth and prosperity within their communities and around the world.
To attain this designation, candidates are required to successfully complete all prerequisite coursework and pass a rigorous and thorough examination that spans two days and consists of three distinct parts. This examination evaluates a practitioner's knowledge, proficiency, judgment, and critical thinking skills across a range of essential economic development subject areas, including:
- Business retention and expansion
- Finance & credit analysis
- Marketing and attraction
- Strategic planning
- Entrepreneurial & small business development
- Managing economic development organizations
- Neighborhood development strategies
- Real estate development & reuse
- Technology-led economic development
- Workforce development strategies
- Foreign direct investment & exporting
Certified Economic Developers serve as catalysts for change within their local communities, bridging the gap and fostering collaboration between public officials, business leaders, and community members. With an unwavering passion for championing innovative strategies and initiatives, they propel transformative economic growth and elevate community well-being. Their unparalleled expertise and dedication to excellence position them as trailblazers at the forefront of shaping the economic development landscape.