Lee recognized as Top 50 Economic Developer by Consultant Connect

Isaac Lee, Steuben County Economic Development Corporation’s Executive Director announced as one of North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers of 2020 by Consultant Connect.

KALAMAZOO, Michigan  – Consultant Connect, a consulting agency designed to bridge the gap between economic developers and site consultants, announces its 2020 list of North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers. The economic development professionals selected for this list were nominated by their colleagues in both the economic development industry and the site consultant community for excellent practices, innovation and success in building the communities they serve.    

Each top 50 economic developers will be featured individually starting April 14 through the selected social media channels of LinkedIn and Twitter. Each award winner will share leadership insights and wisdom for other practitioners in the profession. Consultant Connect strives to lift up this industry by recognizing remarkable economic developers for the entire economic development community to learn from. Each recipient will receive their award at Consultant Connect’s ECONOMIX event in Phoenix, South Arizona this December.

“This annual list recognizing North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers is designed to acknowledge the hard work of the top leaders in this field and elevate the conversation around economic development and job creation,” said Ron Kitchens, managing partner of Consultant Connect. “Each of the leaders represented on this year’s list are beyond deserving of this recognition for their efforts in building our communities.”

The complete list of North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers of 2020 includes:

Alejandra Guzman, The New Orleans Business Alliance

Alicia Janesko Hutchings, Kansas Department of Commerce

Amanda Taylor, Greater MSP

Ashley Varnum, Georgia Department of Economic Development

Ben France, Little Rock Regional Chamber

Bentley Story, Arkansas Economic Development

Bo Gregory, Development Authority of Monroe County

Brenda Robbins, Georgia Power

Cathy Chambers, Florida Power & Light Company

Chassen Haynes, TN Department of Economic Development

Chris Masingill, St. Tammany Corporation

Chung Tan, City of Fayetteville, Arkansas

Courtney Pogue, City of Dallas Economic Development

Dana Saucier, JobsOhio

Daniel Hengeveld, Toronto Global 

Danielle Mousseau, Florida Power & Light Company

Danielle Ruiz, Duke Energy Florida

Don Pierson, Louisiana Economic Development

Doug Kehlhem, MassEcon

Doug Minkler, Greater Seattle Partners

Erin Schneider, Duke Energy Indiana

Glenda Washington, GO Topeka

Grady Fitzpatrick, Greater New Orleans

Heidi Jameson, JAX USA

Isaac Lee, Steuben County Economic Development

Jeff Janiszewski, Empire State Development

Jen Wakfield, Greater Richmond Partnership

Jessi Pederson, City of Glendale, Arizona Economic Development

Joe Melvin, North Carolina’s Southeast

Justin Horvath, Shiawassee Economic Development Partnership

Kati Hynes, Charlotte Chamber

Kelly Andrews, Pitt County Development Commission

Linda Jolly, El Dorado Inc.

Lisa Hughes, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development

Lori Becklenberg, Alliance STL

Marvin J. Price, Charlotte Regional Business Alliance

Matt Hall, One Southern Indiana

Melisssa Glasgow, St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners

Mitch Heaton, Dayton Development Coalition

Mitchel Allen, Greater Phoenix Economic Council

Patty Huddle, ONE Columbus

Rachel Pierson Delamain, Baton Rouge Area Chamber

Rebecca Nolan, Metro Hartford Alliance

Richard Corelison, OGE Energy Corporation

Robert Trezise Jr., Lansing Economic Area Partnership

Scarlett Phaneuf, PowerSouth Energy Cooperative

Stephen Thompson, Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership

Steven Wright, City of Chesapeake Economic Development

Thomas Maynard, Greater Phoenix Economic Council

Tim Allen, Fort Smith Chamber

“As the President of the current Board of Directors for the SCEDC, I believe I can say this on behalf of the full board that we are excited for Isaac in his achievements and this is another confirmation for us that we made the right decision back in 2016 when we hired him. We understand that Economic Development requires collaboration and support from many and is not just a single person sport. But to know that we have a talented individual as a leader of our organization, we know that our capabilities for achievement are also elevated.” says President of the SCEDC, Chris Folland.

“I am honored and blessed to be amongst this list of truly talented and special people. To be identified by my peers and site selectors, in an industry that is filled with talented people, to be given this recognition is just amazing. 13 years ago, I started in this profession completely green and had no idea what Economic Development truly was. Today, I can say that I am learning something new all the time and this recognition confirms to me that we are doing some pretty amazing things.” says Executive Director of the SCEDC, Isaac R Lee, MBA.

The SCEDC is a 501-c (3) non-profit, private entity contracted to administer economic development activities within Steuben County and every municipality within its county borders. The mission of the SCEDC is to lead economic prosperity through collaboration while strengthening employment opportunities to improve the quality of life in Steuben County. The vision of the SCEDC is it will develop and sustain a diversified economy that promotes economic growth and innovation by embracing the ingenuity of employers, cultivating a highly-educated workforce, and maintaining a high quality of life valued by residents and visitors alike.