ACCE & IEDC Announce First Recipients of Workforce Development Certificate

The Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) Foundation and the International Economic Development Council (IEDC)  are proud to announce the recipients of the inaugural Certificate in Workforce Development Fundamentals program. This initial cohort of recipients serves as a significant step forward in advancing both IEDC and ACCE's commitment to enhancing the skills of chamber and economic development professionals while expanding equitable workforce opportunities and outcomes.

This joint certificate program empowers professionals with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the intersection of economic and workforce development while closing education gaps. Each certificate recipient completed an intensive and comprehensive 6-week curriculum, featuring expert-led sessions, hands-on learning experiences, practical applications of economic and workforce development principles and an online exam. Recipients obtained a digital certificate and social media badge from ACCE and IEDC to showcase their achievement in the program. ACCE offered (3) points towards the Certified Chamber Executive (CCE) program and maintenance; IEDC additionally provided (3) Level-I points towards Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) recertification requirements.

"Congratulations to the first cohort on mastering the essential skills crucial to addressing workforce challenges and promoting economic prosperity. Your dedication highlights the pivotal role our organizations play in shaping the future of our communities," said ACCE President and CEO Sheree Anne Kelly. "This program has drawn interest from all corners of the chamber of commerce and economic development communities. I am excited for what the future holds for this program."

"IEDC extends its congratulations to all chamber staff and economic development professionals who embarked on this transformative journey with us and our partners at the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives Foundation," expressed IEDC President and CEO Nathan Ohle. "With the successful completion of this inaugural certificate program, I am thrilled to continue blending economic growth, talent development and business attraction, retention, and sustainability. Together with ACCE, we've set a new standard for collaborative professional growth initiatives with this program, paving the way for a vast network of passionate, dedicated workforce development experts."

Congratulations to the following 53 Workforce Development Fundamentals certificate recipients:

• Sarah Barden, Tompkins Chamber, New York
• Maggi Bienvenu, EdD, One Acadiana, Louisiana
• Kate Bowermaster, Marshalltown Area Chamber of Commerce, Iowa
• Eric Broten, Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce, Wisconsin
• Merrick Brtek, Greater Omaha Chamber, Nebraska
• David Carroll, MBA, Jefferson County Economic Development Corporation, Colorado
• Christine Caves, Quad Cities Chamber, Iowa
• Katie Collins, IOM, Greater Winston-Salem, Inc., North Carolina
• Jermane Coote, MBA, Lake County Board of County Commissioners, Florida
• Jaclyn Crow, Salina Area Chamber of Commerce, Kansas
• Mike Crowley, MBA, Greater New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce, Texas
• Donovan Day, City of Harvard, Illinois
• Stephanie Detweiler, PHR, Grow Cedar Valley, Iowa
• Colin Diaz, ACE, IOM, Tempe Chamber of Commerce, Arizona
• Dave Diaz, CEcD, EDP, Loudoun County, Virginia
• Aura Lee Durham, Robins Regional Chamber, Georgia
• Zach Fiore, Metro Atlanta Chamber, Georgia
• Timothy Fox, CEcD, EDP, Charles City Area Development Corporation, Iowa
• Lindsay Frilling, CEcD, IOM, Obion County Joint Economic Development Corporation, Tennessee
• Leslie Gantt, Berkeley County Development Authority, West Virginia
• Tori Gilmartin, Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance, Virginia
• Justin Haight, Metro Atlanta Chamber, Georgia
• James Henderson, City of North Bend, Washington
• Aimee Herrick, Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce, Wisconsin
• Ross Ivey, Huntsville/Madison County Chamber, Alabama
• Terri Kimble, Chandler Chamber of Commerce, Arizona
• Kathy Lehner, Venice Area Chamber of Commerce, Florida
• Jason Leib, Gardner Chamber of Commerce, Kansas
• Mark Litten, Putnam County Chamber of Commerce, Florida
• Grant Loomis, MBA, Buffalo Niagara Partnership, New York
• Nico Marchitello, MPA, Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County, Florida
• Lisa Marcum, Crawford Partnership for Education & Economic Development, Ohio
• Kelle Marsalis, CCE, IOM, Plano Chamber of Commerce, Texas
• Jennifer Mellor, CPA, MBA, Greater Phoenix Chamber, Arizona
• Angela Morton, Economic Alliance of Kankakee County, Illinois
• Emma Morton, Southeast Idaho Council of Governments, Idaho
• Caitlyn Ngare, Claremore Industrial & Economic Development Authority, Oklahoma
• Katrina Parkey, CWDP, MBA, MPAff, TIP Strategies, Texas
• Corey Parks, MBA, PCED, Conway Area Chamber of Commerce, Arkansas
• Meghan Parsons, MVA, Jackson County Development Authority, West Virginia
• Winona Pritts, Culpeper County, Virginia
• Dani Pugsley, Mountain Home Chamber of Commerce, Arkansas
• Lissuannette Rivera Mercado, York County Economic Alliance, Pennsylvania
• Vicky Rowinski, CEcD, Macomb County, Michigan
• Paul Saldana, CEcD, Economic Growth Strategies, California
• Brittany Seebach, City of Grove City, Ohio
• Tia Rae Stone, Greater Taylor Chamber of Commerce, Texas
• Ashley Strupek, McLean County Chamber of Commerce, Illinois
• Nichole Tucker, Denison Development Alliance, Texas
• Michele Weatherly, Prince William County Economic Development & Tourism, Virginia
• Aaron Weinberg, Economic Development Alliance of Skagit County, Washington
• Andrew Weisberg, Overland Park Chamber of Commerce, Kansas
• Rebecca Wood, Greater Louisville Inc., Kentucky 

ACCE and IEDC will offer a second iteration of the Certificate in Workforce Development Fundamentals program from November through December, with availability for 60 attendees (30 per organization). More information coming soon.