The Northeastern Economic Developers Association (NEDA) has awarded the “Economic Development Professional” (EDP) to Chuck Leonard and Michelle Bisbing of the Pocono Mountains Economic Development Corporation.
The EDP designation is awarded to professionals working in economic development only after careful review confirms that a candidate has met the requirements in each of three categories: First, the individual must have a minimum of three years of work experience actively engaged in economic development. Second, the individual must document completion of comprehensive coursework encompassing a wide range of skills including Business Retention & Expansion, Business Finance, Marketing & Business Attraction, Real Estate and Community & Neighborhood Development. Finally, the individual must document advanced level education in at least three separate topics of importance to economic development work, through formal training and/or direct experience. In order to maintain the EDPdesignation, the individual must demonstrate ongoing commitment to staying up-to-date as new tools and techniques through coursework and professional service.
Mr. Leonard has over 25 years of experience in economic development and has been the Executive Director of PMEDC since 1995. He is the Immediate Past President of the Pennsylvania Economic Development Association (PEDA) and is a Board Member of Penn’s Northeast, a regional economic development marketing organization. He is one of Monroe County’s representatives on the Pocono Counties Workforce Investment Board and serves on the Executive Committee for the Team Pennsylvania Foundation. Mr. Leonard also holds certification from PEDA.
Ms. Bisbing has been the Director of Marketing at PMEDC for the past seven years and prior to that was in workforce development. She currently holds additional certifications as a Workforce Development Professional and the Pennsylvania Economic Development Association. She currently serves as Chair of the Marketing Committee for Penn’s Northeast, a regional economic development partnership and is a Leadership Pocono alumni.
NEDA consists of over 500 professional economic developers, appointed and volunteer economic development officials and others committed to sound economic development practice, in the eleven Northeastern states and the District of Columbia. NEDA provides professional development education, publishes information about best professional practices, and promotes the pursuit of individual economic development education throughout the Northeast.