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International Economic Development Council Announces 2023 Entrepreneurship Development Professional Credential Recipients

The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is pleased to announce the 2023 Entrepreneurship Development Professional (EDP) credential recipients. 

The EDP designation requires candidates to have two years of full-time experience in economic development, complete the necessary education requirements and pass the certification examination. It is designed for professionals who work with entrepreneurs and small businesses as well as those that support them via programs, networks and approaches that foster small business and entrepreneurial growth. The 2023 program courses and examination were presented in an entirely virtual format.  

“IEDC’s EDP credential has prepared this next class of professionals to serve and advance their communities. They have demonstrated great dedication and hard work though the completion of the program. This sets the foundation for great success in the future,” said IEDC President and CEO Nathan Ohle. 

“Entrepreneurship and economic development go hand-in-hand,” added Penny Lewandowski, Principal at Change at the Edges, and a creator and proponent of the EDP credential. “This program teaches individuals new ways to think about economic development, encouraging a grow-from-within strategy that will lead to thriving and sustainable economies.” 

The EDP credential and new courses were developed with the support of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation the U.S. Economic Development Administration and partnership with the University of Missouri-Kansas City SourceLink. 

“Entrepreneur-focused economic development is one of the most powerful ways to spur growth. We are happy to continue supporting this initiative and look forward to seeing this next group of credentialed professionals use their skills to spring their communities forward,” said Philip Gaskin, Vice President of Entrepreneurship at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. 

Congratulations to the 2023 EDP credential recipients:

  • Alan Beveridge, CEcD, EDP – Entrepreneurship Program Director, Maricopa Community College District (Mesa, AZ)
  • Mark Burdette, EDP – Program Director, WV BusinessLink (Cross Lanes, WV)
  • Dave Diaz, CEcD, EDP – Senior Business Development Officer, Loudoun County Economic Development (Ashburn, VA)
  • Jonathan Freeze, EDP – Vice President of Marketing and Communications, Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau (Raleigh, NC)
  • Clarice Grove, EDP – Small Business Development Manager, Prince William County Economic Development (Gainesville, VA)
  • Joi Harmon, EDP – Deputy Director, Martindale Brightwood Community (Indianapolis, IN)
  • Shani Harvie, EDP – JEDI Coordinator, New Mexico Economic Development Department (Santa Fe, NM)
  • Dale Hendon, EDP – Economic Development & Tourism Specialist, Stafford County Department of Economic Development and Tourism (Stafford, VA)
  • Bill Hulsey, CEcD, EDP – Principal, ECONOVENTION, LLC (Austin, TX)
  • Raina Lyman, EDP – Director of Small Business & Entrepreneurship, Envision Greater Fond du Lac (Fond du Lac, WI)
  • Courtney Pogue, CEcD, EDP – Senior Director of Equitable Developer Academy, National Development Council (Nashville, TN)
  • Buddy Rizer, CEcD, EDP – Executive Director-Economic Development, Loudoun Economic Development Authority (Ashburn, VA)
  • Francisca Villegas, EDP – Small Business Program Manager, City of Tucson (Tucson, AZ)
  • Rob Williams, EDP – Director, SourceLink at the University of Missouri-Kansas City (Kansas City, MO)

The EDP credential is the second certification offered by IEDC, after the Certified Economic

Developer (CEcD) certification. The CEcD credential is a comprehensive designation that tests applicants’ general proficiency regarding economic development. IEDC has certified more than 1,100 CEcD and over 40 EDP practitioners.

The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is the world’s largest membership organization

for economic development professionals. Economic developers promote economic well-being and quality of life in their communities by creating, retaining, and expanding jobs that facilitate growth and provide a stable tax base. From public to private, rural to urban, and local to international, our members represent the entire range of economic development. Learn more at iedconline.org.