WASHINGTON – November 30, 2022 – WASHINGTON – The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is pleased to announce the 2022 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 2022 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 2022 EDP credential recipients:
• Dianna Cameron, EDP – Management Analyst, City of Sierra Vista (Sierra Vista, AZ)
• Kevin Crowder, CEcD, EDP – Principal/Owner, BusinessFlare Economic Development Solutions (North Miami, FL)
• Monica Delores Hooks, MBA, EDP – Executive Director, Women’s Entrepreneurship Initiative (Atlanta, GA)
• Timothy Fox, CEcD, EDP – Executive Director, Charles City Area Development Corp. (Charles City, IA)
• Diana Goss, EDP – Executive Director, DeKalb Entrepreneurial Center (Rainsville, AL)
• Eric Heimbecker, EDP – Senior Program Manager, Arizona State University (Tempe, AZ)
• Adam Henry, CEcD, EDP – Senior Business Development Manager, Arlington Economic Development (Arlington, VA)
• Heidi Knoblauch, EDP – Sr. Director of Entrepreneurship Development, Empire State Development (Albany, NY)
• Betsy Kramer, EDP – Revitalization Coordinator, SEDA – Council of Governments (Lewisburg, PA)
• Katherine Long, EDP – Small Business/Information Manager, Ponca City Development Authority (Ponca City, OK)
• Melissa Meschke, EDP – Economic Development Outreach Manager, Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship (Madison, WI)
• Daniel Mitchell, EDP – SMARTstart Program Director, Pasco Economic Development Council (Lutz, FL)
• April Needham, EDP – Director, Washington State University-Innovate Inland, (Spokane, WA)
• Terri Peters, EDP – Small Business Developer, Claremore Industrial & Economic Development Authority (Claremore, OK)
• Bill Sabo, EDP – Regional Director Arkansas Small Business and Technology Center, University of Arkansas-Fort Smith (Fort Smith, AR)
• Kristin Slice, EDP – Senior Program Manager, Arizona State University (Scottsdale, AZ)
• Will Warren, CEcD, EDP – Consultant, Vita Nuova (Chagrin Falls, OH)
• Xiaoyu Zhao, EDP – Director of Small Business Initiatives and Support, City of Hartford (Hartford, CT)
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 30 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.