Denison and Sherman Texas | March 26, 2018
Stacey Jones, Vice President of Business Retention & Expansion for the Sherman Economic Development Corporation (SEDCO), and William Myers, VP of Business Retention & Expansion for Denison Development Alliance (DDA), have been awarded the Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) designation by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) effective March 25, 2018. The CEcD designation was awarded to Jones and Myers after passing a rigorous three-part, two-day examination, testing their knowledge, proficiency and judgment in the key areas of economic development.
In 2014, Jones accepted the position of Economic Development Coordinator at SEDCO and in 2016 was promoted to Vice President of Business Retention & Expansion. Jones has played an active role in the creation and implementation of the student workforce development programs led by the Texoma Regional Consortium. Her work with the existing industries includes the quarterly Plant Manager and Safety Leader Forums and assisting with job creation/capital expansion projects. Jones began her career in Economic Development at the Duncan Area Economic Development Foundation in Oklahoma where she was the Vice President of Operations from 2000 to 2005. She is a graduate of the University of Texas at Tyler.
With 13 years of economic development experience, Myers has helped facilitate jobs, investment and award-winning developments though a wide array of projects including retail recruitment, manufacturing, downtown redevelopment, small business development, and mixed-use developments. Myers came to work for Denison Development Alliance in 2013 as VP of Business Development. He began his economic development career with the Bridgeport Economic Development Corporation in Bridgeport, TX where he was the Executive Director from 2005 to 2013. He is a 1997 graduate of Texas Tech University with a BBA Finance degree, a 2007 graduate from the Economic Development Institute, and is currently serving a third term on the Texas Economic Development Council’s Board of Directors
The CEcD designation recognizes qualified and dedicated practitioners in the economic development field and sets the standard of excellence within the profession. Candidates must pass a rigorous and comprehensive examination, which has three parts and spans two days. The exam tests a practitioner’s knowledge, proficiency and judgment in the following key areas of economic development:
● business retention and expansion
● finance & credit analysis
● marketing and attraction
● strategic planning
● entrepreneurial & small business development
● managing economic development organizations
● neighborhood development strategies
● real estate development & reuse
● technology-led economic development
● workforce development strategies
As highly competent economic development professionals, Certified Economic Developers work with public officials, business leaders and community members to create leadership to build upon and maximize the economic development sector. Excellence in the economic development profession improves the well-being, quality of life and opportunities for individuals, businesses and communities. There are currently over 1,100 active CEcDs in the United States.About IEDC
IEDC is the world’s largest professional organization for economic development practitioners. There are more than 5,000 members across the United States, as well as Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and other nations. IEDC works to help economic developers do their jobs more effectively, and to raise the profile of the profession.
Texoma is fortunate indeed to have these two proficient and dedicated leaders working in the business retention and development areana for the Texoma area. Congratulation to both Stacy and William for their accomplishments and thank you for making Texoma a better place to live, work, and play.