Economic Development is a complex, multi dimensional process. There are a number of definitions of economic development but no one definition encompasses all of the various aspects of the profession. Basically, there is no single policy, program, strategy or template for achieving economic success in a community or region because each has different strengths and weaknesses and will therefore have various challenges.
The mission of the Economic Developers Association of Canada is to enhance the professional competence of economic developers and ensure placement of highly professional and qualified practitioners in the field of economic development.
Within the following pages you will find testimonials from EDAC members who have pursued and obtained the Ec.D. Designation.
Also contained within this section is in-depth information pertaining to “ how to” obtain the Ec.D. Designation, along with links to further details and outlines.
Take a few minutes to peruse this section.
If you have questions, EDAC’s Executive Director will be more than happy to asst you. Penny Gardiner can be reached by either phone or e-mail - (905) 689-8771 admin@edac.ca or gardiner@edac.ca
Current Profiles
John Regan Ec.D. (F) -
John Regan has been self employed for most of his life, working in many fields with a focus on business development, as well as sales and marketing processes. His business roles have been many, including being an owner-operator in digital imaging, supply chain logistics, inventory optimization, die casting, and environmental products. With 25 years of business experience behind him, John joined the Elgin Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC) in 2008 as General Manager to help new start-up and existing businesses get the expertise needed for success ... to read more, click here ...
Kris Hodgson -
Kris Hodgson joined the Economic Development Lethbridge team in 2009 after spending the past three years in Greater Edmonton working with the Leduc-Nisku Economic Development Authority. While working in Leduc-Nisku, Kris worked on the award-winning Virtual Tradeshow project helping to create some 60+ marketing videos for businesses that have been translated into Spanish and Arabic and used in tradeshows and websites around the globe ... to read more, click here ...
Cheri Kemp-Long -
Cheri Kemp-Long, EcD has been the Regional Economic Development Advisor with Indian & Northern Affairs Canada in Iqaluit, Nunavut since 2003. Cheri is the Secretary/Treasurer of the Nunavut Economic Developers Association and represents their membership on the EDAC board of directors. She is also an active volunteer with the Baffin Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Nunavut Trade Show and Conference Committee ... to read more, click here ...
Peter Belliveau -
I have been involved with economic development for 23 years, all with the same organization which seems to be a rarity in this business. Beginning as a lowly Economic Development Officer, at the outset my knowledge of economic development was largely philosophical opinion. In large measure, that mixed with a dose of common sense ... to read more, click here ...
Edie Spagrud -Experienced administrator, coordinator, manager and economic development practitioner. Economic Development Officer, Carlton Trail Regional Economic Development Authority Inc. since January 2005 Executive Director, Lesser Slave Lake Community Development Corporation, 1996 to 2004... to read more, click here ...
David Paul - My economic development career has been represented by disciplines in both tourism and community economic development. The tourism focus was initially on a provincial level with the Ontario Ministry of Industry and Tourism in various parts of Ontario’s field operations. My community economic development exposure was in my hometown Brockville, with priority on investment attraction in the industrial/manufacturing ... to read more, click here ...
Mike McGee - Mike McGee has held Senior Economic Development and Executive Band Management positions exclusively with First Nations across Quebec, Manitoba, Alberta and British Columbia for over two decades. His experience in working cooperatively and effectively with First Nations over the past two decades has culminated in extensive business development and financial management expertise. Mike brings forward an in-depth ... to read more, click here ...
Richard Evans - With an Economics degree from McMaster University and a number of engineering related courses that led to a Senior Membership standing in the American Institute of Industrial Engineers , Rick spent the first 20 years of his professional life in the Private Industrial Sector working up through the management ranks in Manufacturing Engineering/Facilities to Corporate V.P.
... to read more, click here ...
Terry Stacey - When I started with the City of Fort Saskatchewan in 1987, economic development was still a fairly new field. I had a boss and in fact the entire organization, that encouraged me to take the professional development courses and I am very glad that I did ... to read more, click here ...
Larry Horncastle - Way back in the mid 1980’s, I was a young, green, EDO with no formal training, but lots of enthusiasm and a thirst for knowledge. I enrolled in the University of Waterloo Economic Development Program and eagerly began applying the newfound knowledge I had gleaned from the program and the networks developed while at the University of Waterloo ... to read more, click here ...
