WASHINGTON, D.C. – The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) Board of Directors ratified a slate of 10 new economic development leaders to serve two-year terms on the organization's Board of Directors. The board also approved leadership positions for 2026 at the September 14 board meeting during IEDC’s Annual Conference in Detroit. All board and officer terms begin on January 1, 2026. 

“We are pleased to welcome our new board members who bring to the table considerable experience, innovation, and passion for advancing economic development,” said Bryan Daniels, CEcD, CCE, IOM, President and CEO of the Blount Partnership and current board Chair. “I look forward to partnering with these leaders as we drive efforts that will benefit communities around the globe. Their vision and leadership will be instrumental in steering IEDC to the next level of success.” 

IEDC will commemorate its 100th anniversary next year. For nearly a century, IEDC has played a pivotal role in elevating the profession, equipping economic developers to maximize opportunities and navigate complex challenges.  

“I’m truly honored to serve as IEDC’s incoming board chair, especially during this momentous time,” said Danielle Casey, CEcD, EDFP, President and CEO of the Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance and current board vice chair. “With our talented, dynamic team, we will remain at the forefront of supporting economic development practitioners. We will provide timely insights, actionable tools, bold leadership, and unparalleled professional development.” 

“With our 100th anniversary celebration in 2026,” she continued, “We are committed to strengthening IEDC and positioning our profession to reach new heights – not only today but for the next 100 years.” 

IEDC President and CEO Nathan Ohle added, "In our 100th year, we have much to celebrate, and we will build on our momentum with this new group of exceptional leaders. With their extraordinary expertise and tireless dedication, IEDC’s Board of Directors will lead the way in propelling all communities toward a more prosperous future.” 

IEDC’s board is composed of 55 voting members who serve as stewards of IEDC’s vision, mission, values and resources. They serve two-year terms, for up to four terms. The board is led by four officers: chair, immediate past chair, vice chair and secretary/treasurer. Board members serve on standing committees led by chairs and vice chairs.  

2026 Chair of the Board 

Danielle Casey, CEcD, EDFP, President and CEO, Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance (NV) 

Immediate Past Chair 

Bryan Daniels, CEcD, CCE, IOM, President and CEO, Blount Partnership (TN) 

Vice Chair of the Board 

Clyde Higgs, President and CEO, Atlanta Beltline, Inc. (GA) 

Secretary/Treasurer 

SeonAh Kendall, CPA, Economic Health Director, City of Fort Colins (CO) 

Committee Leadership
Stakeholder Engagement Standing Committee
Chair: Barb LaMue, CEcD, EDFP, President and CEO, New North, Inc. (WI)
Vice Chair: Dennis Fraise, CEcD, Develop This! Podcast (IA) 

Future of Economic Development Standing Committee
Chair: Jared Smith, CEcD, Director of Economic Development and Tourism, City of Henderson (NV)
Vice Chair: Kevin Dick, CEcD, President and CEO, Carolina Small Business Development Fund (NC) 

Global Community and Awareness Standing Committee
Chair: Julie Curtin, President, Economic Development, Development Counsellors International (CO)
Vice Chair: Chris Knight, Managing Director, FDI Intelligence for Financial Times (UK) 

Organizational Excellence Standing Committee
Chair: Chris Masingill, CEcD, CEO, Louisiana Central (LA)
Vice Chair: Mandi Mithcell, CEcD, President and CEO, Lafayette Economic Development Authority (LA) 

New Board Members (Two-Year Terms) 

• Anne Bovaird Nevins, Chief of Economic and Community Impact, Accelerator for America (FL)
• Jacqueline Brinkman, CEO, Economic Development Australia 
• Mark Burdette, EDP, Deputy Director, WV Small Business Development Center (WV)
• Alejandra Castillo, Senior Fellow for Economic Develpoment, Purdue University, NW (DC)
• Matthew Godinez, EDP, Assistant Secretary, Kansas Department of Commerce (KS)
• Michael Hecht, President & CEO, Greater New Orleans, Inc. (LA)
• Jeanine Jerkovic, CEcD, Economic Development Director, City of Surprise (AZ)
• Brian McGowan, President & CEO, Centennial Yards Company (GA)
• David Ponraj, Founder & CEO, Economic Impact Catalyst (FL)
• Bruce Takefman, CEO, Research FDI (QC) 

Current Board Members (Renominated for Two-Year Terms) 

• Stephen Cheung, President & CEO, Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (CA)
• Bill Cronin, President & CEO, Pasco Economic Development Council (FL)
• Julie Curtin, President, Economic Development, Development Counsellors International (CO)
• Kevin Dick, CEcD, President & CEO, Carolina Small Business Development Fund (NC)
• Ron Frierson, Director of Economic Development, Western U.S., Amazon (CA)
• Philip Gaskin, Founder, Philip H. Gaskin LLC (MO)
• Chris Knight, Managing Director, FDI Intelligence for Financial Times (UK)
• Barb LaMue, CEcD, EDFP, President & CEO, The New North, Inc. (WI)
• Amy Madison, CEcD, EDFP, EDMP, Deputy Director of Economic Development, City of Schertz Economic Development Corporation (TX)
• Scott Marquardt, CEcD, President, Southwest Initiative Foundation (MN)
• Chris Masingill, CEcD, President & CEO, Louisiana Central (LA)
• Quentin Messer, Jr., CEcD, President and CEO, Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MI)
• Mandi Mitchell, CEcD, President & CEO, Lafayette Economic Development Authority (LA)
• Rebecca Moudry, Director, Department of Economic Initiatives, Fairfax County (VA)
• Henry Silentman, Senior Economic Development Specialist, Navajo Nation Economic Development (NM)
• Leonard Sledge, Chief Officer for Community & Economic Development, City of Hampton (VA)
• Robert Van Geons, CEcD, President & CEO, Fayetteville Cumberland Economic Development Foundation (NC)
• Jennifer Wakefield, APR, President & CEO, Greater Richmond Partnership (VA)
• Ella Woger, CEO, Invest Puerto Rico (PR)

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About IEDC  

IEDC is the world’s largest association for economic developers. Originating nearly a century ago, IEDC is a non-profit, non-partisan membership organization that represents the entire economic development profession. Members work in communities of all sizes across the globe, including roles in local, state, provincial, and federal governments, public-private partnerships, non-profits, chambers of commerce, universities, and a variety of other institutions. 

IEDC is the leading voice in driving the future of the field. It provides learning, networking, research, policy advocacy, partnerships, and other valuable offerings to economic development professionals worldwide. For more information, please visit www.IEDC.org.