Professional Development Committee

Professional Development Committee

The MEDA Professional Development Committee assists members in pursuit of their educational goals. The Committee delivers courses enabling members to become Certified Economic Developers (CEcD) and other courses enhancing professional skills. This committee also oversees the delivery of three IEDC courses in Maryland every year, mentors potential certification candidates, and works to include other courses throughout the year.

The Chair of the Professional Development Committee also serves on the Lofton Scholarship Selection Committee (see Lofton Scholarship Fund).

Committee members serve a one-year term beginning in May after the MEDA Annual Conference.

Committee Co-Chairs:

  • Trish Heidenreich, CEcD, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Economic Development Initiatives Group
  • Jamie Williams, CEcD, Director, Kent County Economic & Tourism Development

Committee Members

  • Laurie Babb, CEcD, Director of Economic Development, Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation
  • Jim Chandler, CEcD, Assistant Deputy Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) for Economic Development, Prince George’s County Government
  • Sharon Disque, CEcD, ‎Economic Development Manager, City of Gaithersburg
  • Tamar Osterman, CEcD, Senior Business Development Representative, Maryland Department of Commerce
  • Larry Twele, CEcD, Principal, Eastport Partners, LLC
  • Roger Venezia, CEcD, Director of Operations and Special Projects, Maryland Department of Commerce