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It's been said that there is no greater honor than to be recognized by one's peers. The window for submitting 2018 PEDA Membership Award Nominations is now open and, with two new categories added this year to recognize marketing innovation and up-and-coming young professionals, we've made it easier to showcase successful projects, initiatives and individuals.

Showcasing key accomplishments at the statewide level not only benefits those being honored, but also shines a light on the meaningful work being done by our peers in the economic development profession. Please take this opportunity to publicly recognize those who are most deserving.

Decisions on winners are expected to be made in early September and awardees will be notified as soon as possible in advance of PEDA's 2018 Fall Conference, where recipients will be recognized.

Download nomination forms here. 2018 PEDA Membership Awards nominations must be submitted electronically to pedastaff@peda.org by 4:00 pm on Friday, August 31, 2018.

In March 2018, Dan Gundersen joined Camoin Associates to launch and lead a new office in Richmond, Virginia. As Senior Vice President, he is supporting national accounts and helping to expand the firm’s economic and fiscal consulting business in Pennsylvania and throughout the Mid-Atlantic and South.

Dan brings with him over 20 years of experience in economic development, serving in top leadership positions in Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland and Virginia. He was Executive Deputy Secretary for Pennsylvania’s DCED from 2003-2007 where he managed a $667MM budget and $2.8B economic stimulus program. He went on to become Commissioner of Economic Development for New York State and Co-Chair of the Empire State Development Corporation. Most recently, he served as COO and Interim President and CEO for the award-winning Virginia Economic Development Partnership. During his tenure there, Virginia saw record-breaking capital investment of nearly $20 billion from more than 1,000 economic development projects. In addition, he led economic and workforce development efforts in Baltimore County, Maryland and worked with the consulting group Econsult Solutions out of Philadelphia.

Dan is a recipient of the Fellow Member and Honorary Life Member designations of the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) for his outstanding contributions to the economic development profession. He is looking forward to reconnecting with the Pennsylvania economic development community and taking an active role as a new PEDA member. Look for him at the Spring conference. In the meantime, connect with Dan on LinkedIn or send him an email at Dan@camoinassociates.com.

Born and raised in Clearfield, Pennsylvania, Rob Swales returned to his hometown to make a difference. Swales returned less than a year after graduation from the University of Pittsburgh - Bradford Campus in 1999 with a major in Economics and a Minor in Business Management.

Swales began his career working in economic development under Clearfield County Government in 2000. By 2004, Swales revamped and privatized the organization, whereby the lead economic roles are administered and staffed under Clearly Ahead Development, a private nonprofit corporation.

Clearly Ahead Development provides resources for the local manufactures to grow their operations, business recruitment and financial packaging for capital projects. Clearly Ahead Development specializes in redevelopment projects such as Brownfield's, industrial park development and industrial multi-tenant building management throughout Clearfield County

Swales' most notable recruitment efforts in recent years include, Continental Carbonic, WhiteWave Foods, Inc., Forum Energy Technologies, Pennsylvania Grain Products, Baker Hughes, Cameron, HydroSpray Wash Systems and Race Street Brewing.

Successful Brownfield cleanup projects administered throughout Clearfield County include the 26.5 acre Howe's Leather Tannery, the Dubois Brewing Company, the Downtown Clearfield Riverfront & Riverwalk Redevelopment Project, Rumbarger Reservoir, FCI Electronics Industrial Complex and the high profile resurrection of the former Harbison-Walker Brick Refractory and Clearfield Tannery in to a 55 acre Technology Park in Clearfield Borough - now home of Pennsylvania Grain Products and Continental Carbonic.

Swales resides in Clearfield with his wife, Kellie, and children, Denis and Elli.  

IMPACT Across PA | York County

Legacy, a leading designer and producer of collegiate and resort headwear, apparel, fashion accessories and home décor, recently funded the expansion its York County manufacturing facility with a $1.5 million Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA) and a $1.5 million Small Business Administration 504 loan. The expansion was realized through the acquisition of adjoining land and construction of a 28,600 square foot building addition. The project is projected to create 20 new positions to the existing workforce of 84. The PIDA loan was accessed through the York County Economic Development Corporation, an affiliated entity of the York County Economic Alliance. The SBA 504 loan was facilitated in partnership with EDC Finance Corporation.

Established in 1992, Legacy has become a nationally recognized brand. From the University of North Carolina Tar Heels, to county artist Blake Shelton - Legacy hats and apparel can be found throughout the country. Legacy shipped thousands of shirts and hats to the victims of Hurricane Harvey this past September.

"Legacy is a true local business success story," states Kenetha Hansen, Director, Economic Development and Financing with York County Economic Alliance. "The business has evolved into a thriving, nationally recognized manufacturer and significant York County employer. The Economic Alliance is thrilled to have facilitated financing tools to support Legacy's expansion."

This story was provided by the York County Economic Alliance.

Chris Gulotta has been the Course Director for the Economic Development Course in Pennsylvania since 2013. Penn State Harrisburg is currently searching for a new course director that can work with Chris during the 2018 course and assume full responsibility in 2019. The Course is accredited by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), and is typically offered the first week in December each year. It has been held at the Eden Resort and Suites in Lancaster for the last 7+ years. The Course is the foundation course for the economic development professional certification through IEDC. 35‐45 individuals typically register for the course each year. Registrants include individuals employed by economic development organizations, community development organizations, and local and state officials, primarily from Pennsylvania.

The Course Director receives a $3,000 stipend and is responsible for:

1. Convening two meetings of the Course Advisory Board each year to discuss course marketing, program content, and scheduling.
2. Recruiting presenters on various topics including business retention and expansion, strategic planning, marketing and attraction, ethics and public/private sector financing.
3. Assisting course presenters with course content to ensure the information is relevant, up‐to‐date, and follows IEDC requirements.
4. Conferring with course administrator on logistics including but not limited to marketing and registration.
5. Attend course sessions (first and last day minimum required) to welcome course registrants, introduce speakers, lead group exercise session, and to hand‐out completion certificates.
6. Represent the course at the annual IEDC Course Director’s meeting (this is part of the IEDC national conference each year).
   

IEDC membership is a plus; however, if you are not a member, the membership fee can be negotiated as part of the position. IEDC membership for the Course Director is a requirement!

By Friday, March 9th, expressions of interest or questions can be directed to:

Michael Behney
Director, Institute of State and Regional Affairs
Penn State Harrisburg
mikebehney@psu.edu

It is with deep sympathy that PEDA informs you of the untimely passing of longtime member and friend, Barry Surma.

Barry was the consummate economic development professional. He could always be counted on for sage advice and guidance and he will be deeply missed. We ask that you keep his family in your thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11am Wednesday at St. Demetrius Catholic Church in Gallitzin. Additional information can be found here.

Katrina joined the Erie County Redevelopment Authority in August, 2015.  She serves as the Vice President of Real Estate and Chief Operating Officer.  In her current role she is responsible for all functions of real estate, project and grant development as well as administrative operations including marketing, public relations and human resources.

Prior to joining the Redevelopment Authority, she spent 10 years at DevelopErie ultimately leading the organization as President & CEO where she led economic development efforts for seven organizations.  Katrina also spent three years at the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership where she managed the Erie County Business Retention & Expansion Program which was recognized by the Commonwealth as well as the International Economic Development Council as a best practice model.  She also spent three years working in systems improvement project management at the State and County government levels throughout Pennsylvania in Harrisburg, DuBois and Erie. 

Katrina earned an MPA from Gannon University as well as a BA in Politics with a minor in business administration from Messiah College.  She is a 2007 graduate of the Leadership Erie program.  She is Co-Founder of Grady’s Decision, a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting premature babies and their families.  She serves as Vice-Chair of the Erie Technology Incubator, and is a member of UPMC Hamot’s Board of Corporators.

Katrina is a proud parent of 9-year old Gianna and 7-year old Gunnar and currently resides in Fairview. 

Click here to read the press release.