Wogan Completes 46th Annual Illinois BEDC Course
Pursuing CEcD “Certified Economic Developer” status
KANKAKEE, IL –October 20, 2014 – Lisa Wogan, Director of Marketing & Business Attraction for the Economic Alliance of Kankakee County, has completed the Illinois Basic Economic Development Course, held October 13-17 in Naperville. The BEDC is a required first step in pursuit of the economic development field’s interdisciplinary CEcD certification.
The course was sponsored by Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, ComEd, Nicor Gas, Ameren, Hoosier Energy and the Illinois Development Council. Wogan’s attendance was paid, in part, by a scholarship from ComEd.
CEcD certification is administered by the International Economic Development Council, the leading professional organization for economic development practitioners, with more than 4,500 members across the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and other nations. Among the instructors at the 46th annual course, which covered 10 competency areas, were John Greuling of the Will County Center for Economic Development, Christine Jeffries of the Naperville Development Partnership, and Ivan Baker, economic development director for the City of Tinley Park – which has the first accredited economic development program in the state of Illinois.
Wogan, who was hired full time in May of this year, brings more than 10 years of experience in community and downtown development, small business development, strategic planning and marketing, including serving 5 years in a contract marketing/communications position with the Economic Alliance.
“Kankakee County has the resources at its disposal and the positive growth trends,” explains Wogan, “to really gain some momentum in the coming years in the way of business expansion, new business development and community enrichment.
“My personal goal in pursuing certification is to enhance my technical skills – real estate financing and the like – to help make those big development deals happen for us here in this community.”
Fewer than 5 percent of individuals working in economic development are IEDC certified. Alliance President/CEO Mike Van Mill, who holds planning and public administration credentials, earned his CEcD in 2012. Wogan aims to achieve certification within four years.
The Economic Alliance of Kankakee County is a public-private partnership that works to create jobs and expand the economic base by improving the local business climate. For more information, visit kankakeecountyed.org or phone 815.935.1177.