The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is pleased to announce that 23 individuals have been awarded the Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) designation following a multi-part examination process conducted in September 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:
- Aimee Johnson, CEcD — Economic Development Division Manager, Manatee County Government
- Alan R. Durham, CEcD — Senior Economic Developer, Georgia Institute of Technology (awarded posthumously)
- Eva E McGriff, CEcD — Project Manager, Georgia Tech, Enterprise Innovation Institute
- Daniel Serda, Ph.D., CEcD — Program Officer, Economic Development, Local Initiatives Support Corporation
- Dawn Medley, CEcD — President & CEO, FSC First
- Dun Grover, CEcD — Consultant, The Canopy Lab
- Dustin Calliari, CEcD — Lead Program Manager, Cook County Bureau of Economic Development
- Elyse Oliver, CEcD — Economic Recovery Corps Fellow, Economic Recovery Corps / IEDC
- Idella Kangas, PhD — Director, Universities of Wisconsin
- Jené N Jess, MPA, ICMA-CM, SHRM-CP, CPFO, CEcD — Assistant City Administrator, City of Bondurant
- Joshua D. Jefferson, CEcD — Deputy Secretary, Kansas Department of Commerce
- Kevin Szostak, CEcD — Director, Economic Development, Alamance Chamber
- Lezlie Sauter, CEcD — Economic Development Coordinator, Pine County
- Neal R. Reeves, MPA, EDP, CEcD — Economic Development Specialist, City of Evanston
- Neha Pandit, CEcD — Special Projects Coordinator IV, Brevard County
- Patrick Duffy, MBA, CEcD — Business Retention and Expansion Manager, City of Covington
- Ronald Stubblefield, JD, MS, PMP, CEcD — Director of Housing & Place Based Initiatives, Greater Cincinnati Foundation
- Samuel Bachmeier, CEcD — Economic Development Specialist, La Crosse County (Wisconsin)
- Sarah Beth Murphy, CEcD — Executive Manager of Business and Economic Development, Highlands County Board of County Commissioners
- Stanley Moy, CEcD — Economic Development Analyst II, Niagara Bottling, LLC
- Tad Long, CEcD — Community & Economic Development Manager, Kentucky League of Cities
- Vanessa Ineza, EDFP, CGBP, CEcD — Regional Economic Development Director, WEDC
- Walsham Daniella Tenshak, MA, CEcD — Director of Economic Development, District of Kitimat
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.