The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is pleased to announce that 41 individuals have been awarded the Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) designation following a multi-part examination process conducted in April 2026.  

“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:   

• Sara Adams, CEcD – DMPED, Washington, DC 

• Bradley Bookout, CEcD – Augusta Consulting, LLC, Yorktown, IN 

• Stephen Broussard, CEcD – Acadiana Workforce Solutions, Lafayette, LA 

• Christopher Cauley, CEcD – City of Fayetteville Economic & Community Development, Fayetteville, NC 

• James Davis, CEcD – Kitsap Economic Development Alliance, Silverdale, WA 

• Elizabeth Demetriou, CEcD – Local Initiatives Support Corporation, New York, NY 

• Drew Dietrich, CEcD – Wyoming Business Council, Casper, WY 

• Shayla Douglas, CEcD – Pitt County Economic Development, Greenville, NC 

• Nancy Flock, CEcD – Arvada Economic Development Association, Denver, CO 

• Conchita Gusman, CEcD – The City of Georgetown, TX, Georgetown, TX 

• Nicole Hall, CEcD – The Revenue Authority of Prince George’s County, Prince Frederick, MD 

• Erika Haskins, CEcD, EDP – Economic Recovery Corps, Cape Elizabeth, ME 

• Shannon Hein, CEcD – City of Fort Collins, Fort Collins, CO 

• Jonathan Horowitz, CEcD – Washington County Department of Business Development, Hagerstown, MD 

• Jara James, CEcD – Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, Durant, OK 

• Steven Jenkins, CEcD – Idaho Power Company, Boise, ID 

• Todd Leopold, CEcD – State of Colorado - Department of Local Affairs, Morrison, CO 

• Tiolora Lumbantoruan, CEcD – Economic Recovery Corps, Hoboken, NJ 

• Kirstie McPherson, CEcD – Edeveco, Craig, CO 

• Brad Mecham, CEcD – City of Surprise, Surprise, AZ 

• Amber Miller, CEcD – Broken Arrow Economic Development Corp., Broken Arrow, OK 

• Shirar O'Connor, CEcD – FT Locations, Bedford, NY 

• Elizabeth Olivanti, CEcD – City of Hibbing, Hibbing, MN 

• Carissa Patrone Maikuri, CEcD,  MPA, EDP – Economic Recovery Corps, Sacramento, CA 

• Dani Pugsley, CEcD – Mountain Home Chamber of Commerce, Mountain Home, AR 

• Krista Ratliff, CEcD – FISTA, Lawton, OK 

• Chance Robinson, CEcD – Goochland County Office of Economic Development, Goochland, VA 

• Shanna Sasser, CEcD – Los Alamos County, Corrales, NM 

• Matthew Schmidt, CEcD – Austin Economic Development, Austin, TX 

• Gaby Seltzer, CEcD – Economic Recovery Corps, Oakland, CA 

• Joshua Staten, CEcD – River Ridge Development Authority, Jeffersonville, IN 

• Madeline Sturms, CEcD – City of Pleasant Hill, Pleasant Hill, IA 

• Aaron Szarowicz, CEcD – City of Brookhaven, Brookhaven, GA 

• Jessika Tantisook, CEcD, EDP – Economic Recovery Corps, Ilwaco, WA 

• Nichole Tucker, CEcD – Kiamichi Tech, Durant, OK 

• Evelyn Valencia, CEcD – KPMG LLP, Atlanta, GA 

• Todd Volker, CEcD – Kendall County - IL, Yorkville, IL 

• Kyle Wagner, CEcD – City of Henderson, Henderson, NV 

• Mandy Wallner, CEcD – City of Richland, Richland, WA 

• Olivia Womack, CEcD – Arkansas Economic Development Commission, Little Rock, AR 

• Cameron Yearty, CEcD – CenterPoint Energy, Houston, TX 

IEDC congratulates these newly certified professionals on this significant achievement. As they join a network of over 1,000 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  

Based in Washington, D.C., IEDC is the world’s largest association for economic developers. Originating a century ago, IEDC is a non-profit, non-partisan membership organization that represents the entire economic development profession. Members include practitioners in economic development through local, state, provincial, and federal governments, non-profits, public-private partnerships, entrepreneurial support organizations, chambers of commerce, utilities, universities, and a variety of other organizations.

IEDC is the leading voice in driving the future of the field. IEDC provides professional development through courses and certifications, networking, conferences, research, policy advocacy, partnerships, and other valuable offerings to economic development professionals across the globe.