The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is pleased to announce that 44 individuals have been awarded the Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) designation following a multi-part examination process conducted in November 2025. 

“Economic developers play a vital role in shaping the future of their communities. They drive investment, support businesses, create jobs, and improve the overall quality of life,” shared IEDC President and CEO Nathan Ohle.  “Becoming a Certified Economic Developer represents the highest standard of excellence in our field. These individuals have invested in their growth as leaders, and in doing so, they strengthen the economic future of the regions they serve.”

To earn the Certified Economic Developer credential, candidates must demonstrate advanced knowledge and applied expertise across the field of economic development. Areas of competency include:

• Business retention and expansion
• Finance & credit analysis
• Marketing and attraction
• Strategic planning
• Small business and entrepreneurship
• Organizational management
• Neighborhood development
• Real estate redevelopment
• Technology-led development
• Workforce strategies
• International trade and investment

Candidates are also required to complete prerequisite coursework and pass a rigorous two-day examination, which includes three distinct components designed to assess real-world knowledge, strategic insight, and professional judgment. 

The following professionals have earned the Certified Economic Developer designation, marking a major career milestone and signaling their dedication to advancing economic opportunity: 

• Jude Anderson, CEcD – The Goodman Corporation, Oakridge, OR 

• Liz Barber, CEcD – Stafford County Virginia, Stafford, VA 

• Harry Birak, CEcD – Snohomish County, Everett, WA 

• Michelle Boylan, CEcD – Space Florida, Cape Canaveral, FL 

• Gretchen Carson, CEcD – Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, Charlotte, NC 

• Taylor Davis, CEcD – Elevate Rapid City, Rapid City, SD 

• Shaun Donovan, CEcD – Economic Recovery Corps, Princeton, WV 

• Sean Doyle, CEcD – Hamburg Development Companies, Hamburg, NY 

• Cathleen Edgerly, CEcD – Downtown Lansing Inc., Lansing, MI 

• Curtis Englehart, CEcD – Grand Junction Economic Partnership, Grand Junction, CO 

• Adriane Esteban, CEcD – Redevelopment Management Associates, Pompano Beach, FL 

• Antranette Forbes, CEcD – City of Apopka, Apopka, FL 

• Raymond French, CEcD – Wisconsin Economic Development Corp., Eau Claire, WI 

• Brian Garcia, CEcD – Mesilla Valley Economic Development Alliance (MVEDA), Las Cruces, NM 

• Celena Green, CEcD – Economic Recovery Corps, Portage, IN 

• Andrew Haan, CEcD – Cornerstone Alliance, Benton Harbor, MI 

• Jennifer Hackman, CEcD – Jewish Family Services, Columbus, OH 

• Megan Hageney, CEcD – Economic Recovery Corps, Hazel Park, MI 

• Nick Henninger-Ayoub, CEcD – Maryland Economic Development Corporation, Baltimore, MD 

• Sadie Howell, CEcD – Envision Greater Fond Du Lac, Inc., Fond Du Lac, WI 

• Annalisa Kelly, CEcD – Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commission, Avondale, LA 

• Kevin Leighty, CEcD – Village of Oswego, Oswego, IL 

• Elizabeth Lopez, CEcD – City of Henderson, Henderson, NV 

• Mark Lyman, CEcD – Minot Area Chamber EDC, Minot, ND 

• Natanael Martinez, CEcD – Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, Milwaukee, WI 

• Wendy May, CEcD – Frederick County Economic Development Authority, Winchester, VA 

• Phoenix McLaughlin, CEcD – Maine Department of Economic and Community Development, Augusta, ME 

• Grant Meyer, CEcD – Fletcher Group, Inc., La Grange, TN 

• David Miller, CEcD – MI6 Consulting LLC, Graham, TX 

• Tom Miller, CEcD – Saginaw Future Inc, Saginaw, MI 

• Blake Moyer, CEcD – Surry County Economic Development Partnership, Surry County, NC 

• Michael Naquin, CEcD – Port of New Orleans, New Orleans, LA 

• Sasha Nelson, CEcD – Economic Recovery Corps, Craig, CO 

• Melinda Osterberg, CEcD – Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, Madison, WI 

• Olivia Otte, CEcD – Green County Development Corporation, Monroe, WI 

• Nina Rezai, CEcD – Campbell County, Rustburg, VA 

• Paul W. Ruppert, CEcD – Charles County Economic Development Department, Charles County, MD 

• William Sabo, CEcD – City of Shreveport, Shreveport, LA 

• Aramith Trimiar, CEcD – City of Rocky Mount, Rocky Mount, NC 

• Elizabeth Wendt, CEcD – Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, Wausau, WI 

• Christopher West, CEcD – Jackson West Consulting, LLP, Alexandria, VA 

• LeRon Wilson, CEcD – Hiram Clarke/Ft. Bend Redevelopment Authority, Cypress, TX 

• Ashley Wolfe, CEcD – OmniTRAX, Inc., Scottsdale, AZ 

• Lindsey Wooddy, CEcD – Fayette County Development Authority, Fayette County, GA

The IEDC congratulates these newly certified professionals on this significant achievement. As they join a network of over 1,200 active Certified Economic Developers worldwide, their expertise and leadership will continue to shape the future of economic development, fostering growth and lasting impact in the communities they serve.  

About the International Economic Development Council 

The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is a non-profit, non-partisan membership organization serving economic developers. With thousands of members, IEDC is the largest organization of its kind. Economic developers promote economic well-being and quality of life for their communities by creating, retaining, and expanding jobs that facilitate growth, enhance wealth, and provide a stable tax base. From public to private, rural to urban, and local to international, IEDC’s members engage in the full range of economic development practices. Given the breadth of economic development work, our members are employed in various settings, including local, state, provincial, and federal governments, public-private partnerships, chambers of commerce, universities, and a variety of other institutions. When we succeed, our members create high-quality jobs, develop vibrant communities, and improve the quality of life in their regions.