January 2017
DEVELOPMENTS
Valerie Procopio, Editor
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
A Message from Your President
Tribute to Ken Atkins
Meet Your Patron Sponsor
Upcoming Events
016 Economic Development
2
Handbook
CEDA Association
N
Management RFP
Value of NCEDA
Job Opportunities
Emerging Executive Profile
2016-2017 Board of Directors
December Networking Luncheon
2017 Legislative Priorities
2016 Salary Survey
One Old Timer’s Reflection
016-2017 NCEDA Scholarship
2
Application
Meet Your Board Member
NCEDA President’s Message
NCEDA Members,
Happy New Year! I want to take this opportunity to
thank each of you for your continued support of
NCEDA, and for looking for ways to engage in 2017.
Your participation, and a history of participation
from our members, has allowed many great
accomplishments over our 50 year history.
On a more somber note, NCEDA recently lost a
Past President and good friend to many of us – Ken
Atkins. Ken injected a high level of professionalism
into economic development, and encouraged us to
look for what is next in our work and be prepared
for it. He was a refined communicator, and a mentor
to many. He elevated our profession through
sophistication and I am thankful that he invested
so much of his experience in NCEDA. We asked
some of our NCEDA members to help with a special
tribute to Ken, which you will find on page 7.
Entering the New Year, we continue to do a
great deal of planning and preparation for the
upcoming legislative session. The Legislative
Committee and NCEDA Board of Directors
have approved our 2017 legislative priorities
(see page 5), which reinforce our guiding goal
to keep North Carolina competitive. We have
and will continue to be engaged with both
House and Senate leadership as well as
Governor Cooper and his new administration.
When the NCEDA Board decided several years ago
to pursue a more aggressive legislative advocacy
program, our members were called upon for
support. The MidWinter Conference on March 14-15
in Raleigh will be an excellent opportunity to
test our new horsepower in this arena – ensuring
that we lead in the economic development
public policy realm. This is only possible with
engagement from our membership through
grassroots advocacy. Please be sure to book
your hotel room as soon as possible by
clicking here.
We have great potential to make an impact
on legislative matters this year, thank you
for choosing to engage in this great
organization.
Andrew Tate
President
NCEDA
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Upcoming NCEDA Events
Upcoming Events
Please hold dates for the following 2016-2017 events on your calendars. Forthcoming information,
including event registration and speakers, will be found on our events page: www.nceda.org/events/.
Emerging Executives Annual Forum
Click to Register
January 25, 2017
Winston-Salem, NC
Wednesday, January 25, 2017
8:30 AM – 1:30 PM: Main Event
Location: Flywheel (525 Vine Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101)
* Light breakfast and lunch will be included
Confirmed Speakers
Brian Hall - Samet Corporation | Topic- Speculative Building Development
Anna Lea Moore - NC Railroad Company | Topic- NC Railroad Company’s ED Resources
Dan Gerlach- Golden LEAF Foundation | Topic- Golden LEAF Foundation Overview and Grant Programs
March 14-15, 2017
Raleigh Marriott City Center
500 Fayetteville Street
Raleigh, NC 27601
Emerging Executives
Annual Forum
January 25, 2017
Winston-Salem, NC
Tentative Agenda
Tuesday, January 24, 2017
5:00 PM to 8:00 PM: Check into hotel / Dinner on your own
8:00 PM to 10:00 PM: Cocktail Reception at Tate’s Craft Cocktails
2017 MidWinter Conference
Upcoming 2016-2017
NCEDA Conferences
2017 MidWinter Conference
March 14-15, 2017
Mariott Raleigh City Center
Raleigh, NC
2017 Annual Conference
June 27-29, 2017
Holiday Inn Resort
Wrightsville Beach, NC
2017 Fall Conference
October 17-18, 2017
Renaissance Asheville
Asheville, NC
Click to Reserve your room
The 2017 MidWinter Conference will be held in Raleigh March 14-15, 2017. Please be sure to book your
room at the Marriott City Center by February 13, 2017.
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December Networking Luncheon
The December Networking Luncheon was held December 1, 2016 in Raleigh. The program surrounded
“Converting Waste to Energy: Commercial Scale Operations across North Carolina.”
We were joined by our featured speakers, Gus Simmons, Cavanaugh and Associates and Beth Clark, Blue Sphere.
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2017 Economic Development Legislative Priorities
2016 Salary Survey
Thanks to all who completed the 2016 NCEDA Salary
Survey. We had 163 surveys responses, including 128
economic development practitioners!
All told, these respondents represent more than
1,580 YEARS of experience in economic development.
Creative EDC is compiling the survey information
into a report, and we look forward to sharing with
you at the Mid-Winter conference in Raleigh. Following
the conference, the report will be distributed to
NCEDA members.
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2016-2017 NCEDA Scholarship Application
NCEDA proudly sponsors three scholarships to support professional advancement in the economic
development field: the Dan Stewart Scholarship to the Economic Development Course, the Jack Ervin
Scholarship to the Economic Development Institute and the Governor James E. Holshouser Professional
Development Scholarship to the Economic Development Institute.
Dan Stewart EDC Scholarship pays $575 toward tuition to the one-week basic economic development
course at UNC-Chapel Hill. The scholarship recipient is responsible for all travel costs.
Jack Ervin EDI Scholarship pays $650 per year for three years (a total value of $1,950) toward three years
of tuition to the Economic Development Institute (EDI). The scholarship recipient is responsible for all travel costs.
Governor James E. Holshouser Professional Development Scholarship pays for general funding support of the
cost of attending EDI. The scholarship is in the amount of $1,000/year for three years (a total value of $3,000).
To be considered, applications must be submitted to [email protected], [email protected],
[email protected] by February 17, 2017, at 5:00 p.m. Only electronic copies are accepted.
The recipients will be announced at the NCEDA 2017 MidWinter Conference on March 15 in Raleigh, NC.
Click here for more information and to download the application.
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Tribute to Ken Atkins
February 12, 1949 - December 1, 2016
NCEDA President 1987-1988
Don Kirkman
I joined NCEDA in 1990 shortly after taking my first economic developer job in Carteret County. Ken Atkins, who was
then running the Catawba County EDC, was one of the first people who reached out to welcome me as both a new
economic development professional and a new NCEDA member. Ken had recently rotated through the officer chairs
of NCEDA, and he was a very strong NCEDA proponent. More importantly, however, he was a passionate advocate
for the economic development profession and its mission. Ken quickly became a mentor to me, and throughout
my career he was always willing to share his time—and his wise counsel—whenever I needed it. His legacy
includes not only the communities who were benefitted by his service, but also economic development
professionals like me whom he nurtured in their careers.
Scott Millar
I’ve had the good fortune of calling a select few people great mentors and coaches during my time.
Ken stands out among them. He was a particularly great communicator, understanding opportunities
and communicating successes. I can think of some particular examples-he foresaw the coming telecom
age, leading to at one point over 40% of the world’s fiber optics being produced in Catawba County, and
the influence I know he had in Wake County’s digital developments. Another trick, and I still use it today,
is having each of our economic development successes as a photo in our office to signify to guests, usually
subconsciously (at first), that this isn’t our first project--that we are capable of making things happen. That
has really helped over the years and shows you Ken’s understanding of the real art of economic development.
John Nelms
I will always owe Ken Atkins my deepest gratitude. He had a tremendous impact on my career and to me personally.
He was a consummate ED professional that also understood that family always came first. He will be greatly missed by
all who knew him.”
Adrienne Cole
In 1996, as a new economic developer, just entering the profession, I met Ken while attending an NCEDA event.
I quickly realized he was someone I should get to know. In 2004, I had the good fortune to go to work for Ken
and worked with him until 2011. Those seven years were full of good work, learning, laughter and a daily lesson in
forward-thinking economic development and leadership at its best. He was my champion, my mentor and my friend.
The remarkable thing is that he was those things to so many throughout North Carolina. Ken got it right – he was a
leader in his profession and devoted to his family and community. I will miss him very, very much.
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Tribute to Ken Atkins
February 12, 1949 - December 1, 2016
NCEDA President 1987-1988
Katherine Thomas
Ken and I moved to Raleigh about the same time (1997) and we became good friends and economic development partners.
Ken’s role with Wake County Economic Development and mine with Progress (now Duke) Energy meant we shared common
projects and that our teams worked together, constantly.
More importantly, I valued Ken’s perspective, advice, leadership and support. Ken was a wonderful mentor, who was always
willing to help. He and Gary Joyner gave our Alfred Williams & Company leadership sales team an overview of the Chatham
Park Project, earlier this year. They were prepared, engaging and gracious. Ken was consistently calm, confident and positive. He genuinely valued partnerships and he loved his work. He was a trusted
friend. Most of all, Ken treasured his family. Our conversations frequently included his updates on Glad, Merritt and Cyrus.
I am grateful for Ken Atkins – for his positive impact on our state and this region and on each of us who
had the pleasure to know and work with him. He left us too soon.
Charles Hayes
Ken Atkins was my friend and he left us too soon. Upon learning of Ken’s passing my mind went to the last
stanza of William Cullen Bryant’s poem THANATOPSIS. I think Ken lived his life the way the poet said one should:
“So live, that when thy summons comes to join
The innumerable caravan which moves
To that mysterious realm, where each shall take
His chamber in the silent halls of death,
Thou go not, like the quarry-slave at night,
Scourged to his dungeon, but, sustained and soothed
By an unfaltering trust, approach thy grave
Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch
About him, and lies down to pleasant dreams.”
Ken’s life was a life well lived. I’m glad I could call him friend.
Jim Fain
Like many in the ED community, I had the pleasure, personal and professional, to partner with Ken on key projects. He was a
pro in terms of knowhow and skill in working with clients for sure, but what a comfort to know that his integrity, easy affability,
sincerity and genuine interest in the client were making a difference with that prospect.
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2016 Economic Development Handbook
NCEDA has partnered with the NC School of Government on the editing and publishing of the NC Economic
Development handbook.
In 2001, NCEDA initially published this handbook in order to educate North Carolinians about the constantly changing
profession of economic development. Our partnership with the NC School of Government helps assure that this
important material is shared with local elected officials as it has become part of their curriculum and offering.
We have now completed a full revision of the handbook. We are pleased to announce that the NC Economic
Development handbook is at the printing press and we will have hard copies in hand in early September. A link to
download the PDF of the handbook is at the bottom of this email.
The handbook will be linked to the NCEDA website and hard copies will be made available as requested. We also
plan to have copies available at the upcoming Fall Conference. In the months ahead, we will also be looking to share
this material with groups like the NC League of Municipalities, NC Association of County Commissioners and the NC
General Assembly.
Click here to download.
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Value of NCEDA
North Carolina’s Economic Development Association (NCEDA) is the only organization in our State that brings together
key stakeholders from all facets of our state’s economic development community. Whether you are a local, regional or
statewide developer, an attorney, engineer, strategic partner, or any other professional on the economic development
spectrum, you will find the connections you need at NCEDA. NCEDA is a comprehensive association that offers:
•N
etworking and professional development opportunities
• Annual
conferences and events that feature broad and relevant economic development related topics,
knowledgeable and engaging speakers and a variety of networking activities
•E
ducational lunches and seminars held around the state
•T
imely legislative and policy updates, lobbying, and legislative activities
•E
merging Executives and Mentorship Programs
•A
ccess to more than 500 economic developers and allies
We value the diverse professionals that comprise our organization, and we encourage engagement from our
membership. Active participation helps keep our association relevant, proactive, and engaged. Your participation
in NCEDA makes us stronger, and we are confident that your NCEDA engagement will make you more successful
in your profession.
Here is what two of our members recently said about their involvement in our association:
“With informative speakers who bring first-hand knowledge and experience, NCEDA conferences are a great way
to learn about pertinent issues concerning economic developers throughout our state. An added plus is connecting
with attendees from a variety of industries.” – Raul Peralta, ECS Carolinas
“The networking opportunities and relationships that I have made as a member of NCEDA have been invaluable
throughout my professional career.” – Adrienne Cole, Wake County Economic Development
NCEDA wants to add your name to the list of economic development specialists, like Raul and Adrienne, who are
a part of NCEDA’s family and who are eager to be a part of our state’s economic success. Will you join us?
For more information, please contact the NCEDA office at [email protected] or (888) 246-2332,
or visit us online at: www.nceda.org.
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Meet an Emerging Executive
Name:
Ryan Nance
Organization / title:
Business Recruitment Manager, EDPNC
Time in Economic Development:
4 years
Where did you grow up?
Lumberton, North Carolina
Finish the sentence: The most meaningful
economic development project I’ve worked on….
was Dynamic Air Engineering (DAE Systems) –
a third generation aerospace / defense company
that is relocating from southern California to
Catawba County. Initially, North Carolina trailed
Virginia and Texas but connecting the owners
with our state’s workforce training assets and
savvy local developers made a compelling and
convincing business case for DAE.
How did you come to a career in
Economic Development?
Like most folks, it was a journey, but at the heart
of it has always been a fascination with leadership
in communities, and the power to enact change
in the face of adversity. The economic developers
down in the southeast region also made an early
impression with their collaboration and hustle.
Nearly three years in the workforce development
field prior to my transition to ED continues to pay
dividends on the recruiting trail…
What is your first impression of NCEDA?
It felt like a big family reunion that was
actually fun... With no shortage of extroverts,
members were welcoming and helpful in making
introductions to others whose expertise or
experience might support a recruitment project.
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One Old Timers Reflection
I joined NCEDA in 1984 fresh out of graduate
school. The Gaston County Economic Development
Commission had hired me as a full time paid
intern with the understanding that I would be
a permanent employee upon completion of
the internship. I immediately joined NCEDA
as a way to learn more about the profession.
Unemployable by anyone else, I am still in Gaston
County and a thirty-two year member of NCEDA.
I had the pleasure of serving as President and
consider it one of the most rewarding professional
experiences of my life. I appreciate the opportunity
to share my experiences as an old timer.
When I joined there were many fewer opportunities
to meet other developers and allies. There was
no e-mail or internet to connect easily with other
people. NCEDA was a great bridge among these
groups and provided the best venue to meet
people and share experiences. I was fortunate
to have many of the old timers of that day help
me start my career and gain valuable knowledge.
People like John Barker Sr., Jack Roddey and
John Mills were great mentors to me. There were
relatively few classes or seminars and I learned
from their experience and wisdom.
NCEDA has always led the efforts to advance
the professionalism of its members and provide
critical leadership with legislative issues. Over the
past fifteen years NCEDA has provided leadership,
and collaborated with allied organizations,
for important legislation. Those include wins
such as implementation of the JDIG program,
tax increment financing, The One NC Fund and
UL listing and labelling. All of these programs
have been important tools for North Carolina
Economic Developers.
NCEDA has been an important part of my
professional life. I look forward to watching
the continued growth in membership services
and being our voice for economic development.
Donny Hicks
NCEDA President
2007-2008
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Meet Your Board
RANDALL JOHNSON, NCEDA BOARD MEMBER
Randall Johnson serves as the NC Biotechnology
Center Southeastern Office Executive Director
to strengthen the regional economy and to
improve the quality of life across North Carolina,
through economic development action related
to marine biotech, agricultural biotech, renewable
bioproducts/energy, clinical research, and
industrial biotech.
Johnson has extensive experience in local and
regional economic development, with a focus
on entrepreneurship and knowledge sector
development. He graduated cum laude from
Wake Forest University with an undergraduate
concentration in psychology, and he holds an
MBA from the Babcock Graduate School of
Management at Wake Forest University, where
he concentrated in IT Management, Operations
Management, and Entrepreneurship.
He serves on volunteer boards in the region
and state, including the Executive Committee
of the Southeastern Economic Development
Commission, NC Sustainable Energy Association,
and the Advisory Committee for Biotechnology
in Southeastern North Carolina, which he helped
found. His work with statewide partners led to
the creation of NC’s Marine Bio-Technologies
Center of Innovation and the NC Coast Clinical
Research Initiative.
Johnson is a graduate of Leadership North
Carolina Class XV and was awarded the U.S.
President’s Volunteer Service Award, a national
honor award recognizing individuals who have
answered the call to make a lifelong commitment
to volunteer service.
He and his wife Leigh live with their 3-year-old son,
Wallace “Ace”, in Wilmington, NC.
He has completed several International Economic
Development Council courses, including Basic
Economic Development, Technology-led Economic
Development, Entrepreneurial and Small Business
Development Strategies, Real Estate Development
and Reuse, Economic Development Strategic
Planning, and Business Retention and Expansion.
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Meet Your Patron Sponsor
North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives
North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives power and
empower the people and communities we serve.
Twenty-six local electric cooperatives, as well as a
family of support organizations, make up the network
of electric cooperatives that collectively serve 1 million
homes and businesses in 93 North Carolina counties.
Each electric cooperative is not-for-profit, independent
and owned by the local members it serves.
The state’s 26 electric cooperatives are national leaders
in their use of funds provided through U.S. Department
of Agriculture’s Rural Economic Development Loan
and Grant (REDLG) program. To date, North Carolina’s
electric cooperatives have channeled more than $52
million in REDLG loans and grants to projects across the
state, supporting the creation of more than 4,000 jobs.
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Association Management RFP
NCEDA ASSOCIATION MANAGEMENT RFP
The North Carolina Economic Development Association (NCEDA) is seeking proposals from qualified individuals
and management firms for the provision of association management services to NCEDA. The Request for Proposals
(RFP) describes the areas of expertise that are sought in support of NCEDA meetings, activities and managerial duties.
NCEDA seeks to establish a trusted partnership with its management entity to serve as NCEDA’s operational leadership
for fulfillment of the duties outlined and to serve as its headquarters office. The NCEDA Board will conduct an evaluation
of submitted proposals and will award a contract to the individual or firm whose proposal is determined to be most
advantageous to NCEDA considering the evaluation factors set forth in this RFP. The deadline for receipt of proposals
is February 10, 2017.
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Job Opportunities
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR - TOWN OF HOLLY SPRINGS
The Economic Development Director performs a variety of administrative, technical and professional work in the
preparation and implementation of economic development plans, programs, and services to promote the business and
economic development interests within the Town of Holly Springs. Duties include providing guidance to individuals and
companies to establish, relocate, or expand their businesses within the Town; providing assistance in the planning and
coordination of economic development projects; promoting the Holly Springs industrial and business parks; making
presentations on economic development issues, program, and plans; providing research for Town sponsored projects;
gathering information for the preparation of studies, reports and recommendations; and maintaining a strong working
relationship with area businesses, the general public, local and state agencies and others. The position works closely
with the Chamber of Commerce to identify areas of concern in the promotion of business location and expansion
within the Town. Position requires considerable knowledge of business development, community and economic
development as well as ability to establish effective working relationships with organizations, businesses, developers
and the general public. Position requires graduation from a four-year college or university with a degree in business,
planning, economics or community development and considerable professional experience in business and community
development, planning or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Prefer experience
working on successful mid- and large-scale business recruitment projects.
Hiring range $77,892 - $85,000 depending on relevant experience.
Excellent Town benefits.
Apply online at www.hollyspringsnc.us
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Board of Directors
2016-2017 OFFICERS
2017 DIRECTORS
2018 DIRECTORS
2019 DIRECTORS
PRESIDENT
Brenda Daniels
Maureen Little
Adrienne Cole
ElectriCities of N.C., Inc.
1427 Meadow Wood Blvd.
Raleigh, NC 27604
[P] (919) 760-6363
[M] (919) 218-7027
[email protected]
NC Community College System
200 W. Jones St.
Raleigh, NC 27603
[P] (919) 807-7150
[email protected]
Wake County Economic Development
800 S. Salisbury Street
Raleigh, NC 27601
[P] (919) 664-7041
[M] (919) 783-6108
[email protected]
Andrew Tate
Henderson County Partnership
for Economic Development
330 North King St.
Hendersonville, NC 28792
[P] (828) 692-6373
[M] (828) 808-2817
[email protected]
VICE PRESIDENT
Steve Yost
The Southeastern Partnership
P.O. Box 2556
Elizabethtown, NC 28337
[P] (910) 862-8511
[M] (910) 991-5689
[email protected]
SECRETARY/TREASURER
D. Mark Pope
Lenior County Economic Development
101 North Queen Street
P.O. Box 897
Kinston, NC 28501
[P] (252) 527-1963
[email protected]
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
Ernest C. Pearson
Nexsen Pruet, PLLC.
4141 Parklake Ave.,
Ste. 200
Raleigh, NC 27612
[P] (919) 755-1800
[M] (919) 215-1596
[email protected]
Rick Kiernan
Convergent Nonprofit Solutions
1205 Filmore St.
Raleigh, NC 27605
[P] (919) 270-2137
[email protected]
Gary Lanier
Columbus County Economic
Development Commission
111 Washington Street
Whiteville, NC 28472
[P] (910) 640-6608
[M] (910) 499-1409
[email protected]
John Nelms
Duke Energy
410 S. Wilmington St..
Raleigh, NC 27601
[P] (919) 546-3394
[email protected]
Raul Peralta
ECS Carolinas, LLP
4811 Koger Blvd.
Greensboro, NC 27407
[P] (336) 209-5923
[email protected]
Randall Johnson
North Carolina Biotechnology Center,
Southeastern Office
4006 Oleander Dr., Ste. 3B
Wilmington, NC 28403
[P] (910) 763-5747
[M] (910) 398-2385
[email protected]
Jessica Martin-Lane
Martin-McGill, Inc.
55 Broad Street
Asheville, NC 28801
[P] (704) 968-1903
[email protected]
EX-OFFICIO
Bob Leak, Jr.
John Peterson
Winston-Salem Business Inc.
1080 W. Fourth Street,, Winston-Salem, NC 27101
[P] (336) 723-8955
[F] (336) 761-1069
[M] (336) 416-4610
[email protected]
NCEDA
1201 Edwards Mill Rd., Ste. 400, Raleigh, NC 27607
[P] (919) 882-1961
[F] (919) 834-7959
[M] (919) 389-3333
[email protected]
Christopher Chung
Economic Development Partner-ship of North Carolina
15000 Weston Parkway, Cary, NC 27512
[P] (919) 447-7777
[email protected]
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