As we move into the 2019-20 program year for FEDC, I am excited to share the following organizational advances in an effort to better serve you in your work as an economic development professional.
ADVOCATE
• Formation of an annual Legislative Agenda in support of Global Marketing & Business Development| Small Business | Rural | Talent | Tax Climate
• Florida Economic Development Week and Press Conference held annually during committee weeks
• Guest Opinion Columns
• Membership Calls to Action
• Florida 2030 focus
Top state for gross domestic product and top quartile most diversified state economy
Rural county share of Florida gross domestic product doubles
100% of regional economic development plans aligned with Florida 2030 goals
EDUCATE
• Mickie Birdsall Scholarships to the IEDC Basic Course hosted by USF SBDC each November
• Dan Webster Scholarship towards achieving the CEcD credential each May
• FEDC Annual Conference each May
CONNECT
• Expanded engagement of statewide business development organizations in support of Economic, Workforce & Community Development
• Alignment of Regional Strategies with Florida 2030 goals
• In a position to take a long view of Florida’s Future
• @FloridaEDC | www.FEDConline.org
Thank you for your membership in the Florida Economic Development Council (FEDC).
We invite you to get involved through active committees related to Advocacy, Marketing & Communications, Professional Development and planning of the FEDC Annual Conference. Additional opportunities to support the implementation of the Florida 2030 focus areas will be forthcoming.
Please direct your interests to Lucienne Pears, Vice Chair of Membership & Regional Strategies, lpears@kitsonpartners.com or Beth Cicchetti, CEcD, Executive Director, bkirkland@fedconline.org.
Sincerely,
Kelly Smallridge
FEDC Chair President & CEO Business Development Board of Palm Beach County
Welcome our new Regional Directors and Board Members
With our new year, we are thrilled to have new leaders including Regional Directors:
Scarlett Phaneuf, CEcD, Economic Development Representative, PowerSouth Energy Cooperative, Northwest Regional Director
David Coddington, LEED AP, Vice President of Business Development at the Greater Ft. Lauderdale Alliance, Southeast Regional Director
Warren Baucom, Economic Development Specialist, Lee County Economic Development, Southwest Regional Director
New Chair Appointments to the Board include:
Bill Cronin, President/CEO, Pasco County EDC
Dr. Tom O'Neal, College of Engineering, University of Central Florida
Enterprise Florida will hold the first quarterly meetings of FY2019-20 on August 27-29 at Omni Jacksonville Hotel, 245 Water Street, Jacksonville, Florida 32202.
FEDC Chair Kelly Smallridge holds an ex-officio seat on the EFI Board of Directors and Executive Director Beth Cicchetti, CEcD represents FEDC on the EFI Stakeholders Council.
The FEDC Board of Directors will meet during the two-day timeframe. Date and time will be announced later. We look forward to seeing you in Jacksonville.
The Rural Economic Development Academy is designed to provide an in-depth and practical understanding of key issues and considerations associated with successful local and regional economic development, important elements of building and sustaining a local economy, how to build an effective local economic development team, understanding your product and brand and selling it, and community competitiveness.
Targeted invitees include local elected officials, economic development staff and board members, CareerSource professionals, utilities staff and other private service providers, local and regional planning professionals, water management and other special district staff, state agencies, and other local stakeholders involved in the economic development process.
Several FEDC members and outstanding leaders are retiring following stellar economic and workforce development careers.
Ed Schons, President of the Florida High Tech Corridor Council and Economic Development Director at the University of Central Florida, retired in June after 40+ years in economic development.
He was honored at a reception hosted by GrayRobinson in Orlando on June 27. Ed was hailed for decades of economic development successes, lifelong friendships, and sartorial splendor. Ed has helped colleagues and Florida entrepreneurs grow professionally and personally. Ed has been a vital member to each of Florida’s Partners in Prosperity throughout his career having contributed greatly to key statewide economic and workforce development initiatives that have sustained Florida’s competitiveness.
FEDC is thankful for Ed’s leadership as a member since 1977, especially his service as FEDC Chair in 2011-12 and recognition as the Eunice Sullivan Economic Development Professional of the Year in 2001.
After serving Florida’s workforce system for more than three decades, Jayne Burgess is retiring.
Jayne’s strong work ethic and extensive knowledge of workforce and economic development systems have been a vital asset to the Business & Workforce Development unit and CareerSource Florida. She has cultivated lasting relationships throughout the network and as a part of the team. Jayne’s positive attitude, willingness to help and friendship will be greatly missed!
Jayne is moving to Raleigh, North Carolina, to be closer to her children and grandchildren. We are very excited about her new adventure and wish her well. CareerSource Florida will celebrate Jayne and all of her accomplishments on Friday, July 19.
FEDC is thankful for Jayne’s service on the Board of Directors and for fostering collaboration among economic & workforce development policy and best practices. Dyan Brasington, CEcD, FM, HLM, Executive Vice President of Economic Development for the Miami-Dade Beacon Council is retiring this month after 30 years in economic development.
In her role with the Beacon Council, Dyan has championed a team of economic development professionals whose mission is to increase jobs and investment in Miami-Dade County through initiatives that assist in business location and expansion, support innovation and entrepreneurship, and build a strong community base of industries.
Prior to joining the Beacon Council, Dyan was Vice President of Innovation and Applied Research at Towson University in Maryland where she was responsible for economic development applied research programs, workforce development, community partnerships; and she began many new programs to include the development of an incubator, business plan competitions, the Student Launch Pad, and the Professional Leadership Program for Women.
FEDC thanks Dyan for her board service and leadership as Southeast Regional Director. Dyan led multiple regional training efforts regarding Disaster Recovery, the Miami-Dade One Community One Goal and a focus on a Holistic Approach to Economic Development. Dyan is a Fellow Member (FM) and Honorary Life Member (HLM) of the International Economic Development Council. We wish her all the best in her retirement and as a valued member of the Miami-Dade community.
FEDC's Workforce Development Association Training
FEDC is proud to sponsor the annual Florida Workforce Summit and encourages our members to check out this exceptional training conference at www.workforcesummit.org.
FEDC Vice Chair of Professional Development, Keith Norden, CEcD is moderating a panel of Economic & Workforce Development Successful Collaborations on Friday, Sept 13, 8:00 to 9:30 am.
FEDC Honored as Florida SBDC Network Resource Partner of the Year
FEDC is thrilled to be selected as the SBDC’s 2019 Outstanding Resource Partner of the Year!
The award is bestowed annually by the Florida SBDC Network in recognition of the partner believed to have made the most significant and direct contribution with respect to advocacy, financial support, partnership building or advising.
FEDC is a proud member of the SBDC state advisory board and an integral member of Florida’s Partners in Prosperity initiative through which our state’s economic and business development organizations work together to help small businesses in Florida succeed.
Upcoming Events
August
Southern Economic Development Council Annual Conference August 4-6, New Orleans, LA
Florida Director Bill Cronin, CEO of Pasco EDC and Alternate Director Keith Norden, CEcD, CEO of Team Volusia will lead a delegation of 13 professionals from Florida to the 2019 SEDC Annual Conference in New Orleans.
The Florida caucus will convene on Sunday, August 4 at 5:00 PM where FEDC will provide valuable updates and together support Bill and Keith in their goals for Florida and SEDC in the coming year – most notably, Florida as the host of the 2021 SEDC Annual Conference.
If you would like to serve on the planning committee for this conference, which attracts over 350 professionals from 17 southeastern states, please email Beth at Bkirkland@fedconline.org.
October
IEDC Annual Meeting
Future of Florida Forum
November
IEDC USF SBDC Basic Course
Florida Companies to Watch
December
Save the Date for Florida Economic Development Week