Cheyenne, WY (March 18, 2021) – Derrek Jerred, Director of Business Attraction at Cheyenne LEADS, Cheyenne, WY earned the designation of Certified Economic Developer (CEcD), a national recognition that denotes a mastery of skills in economic development, professional attainment and a commitment to personal and professional growth.
The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) administered CEcD Exam on March 6, 2021. Candidates were notified of their results on March 12, 2021.
Derrek began at Cheyenne LEADS in January of 2014 as the Business Development Specialist and was promoted to Director of Business Retention & Expansion in 2020. In January of 2021 Jerred was named the Director of Business Attraction.
Derrek has served on the Board of Directors for K9s 4 Mobility and was the Co-Chair of the United Way of Laramie County’s Emerging Leaders. Derrek was named one of Wyoming’s 40 Under 40 by the Wyoming Business Report in 2017 and was in Leadership Wyoming’s Class of 2018.
Derrek also officiates hockey, has helped coach youth football, is a proud Rotarian, and actively volunteers at Element Church. Derrek graduated with his Business Administration degree from the University of Wyoming in 2013.
The CEcD designation recognizes qualified and dedicated practitioners in the economic development field and sets the standard of excellence within the profession. Candidates must pass a rigorous and comprehensive examination, which has three parts and spans two days. The exam tests a practitioner’s knowledge, proficiency and judgment in the following key areas of economic development:
- business retention and expansion
- finance & credit analysis
- marketing and attraction
- strategic planning
- entrepreneurial & small business development
- managing economic development organizations
- neighborhood development strategies
- real estate development & reuse
- technology-led economic development
- workforce development strategies
- foreign direct investment & exporting
As highly competent economic development professionals, Certified Economic Developers work with public officials, business leaders and community members to create leadership to build upon and maximize the economic development sector. Excellence in the economic development profession improves the wellbeing, quality of life and opportunities for individuals, businesses and communities. Currently there are just over 1,100 active CEcDs in the United States.
About the International Economic Development Council
The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is a non-profit membership organization serving economic developers. With more than 5,000 members, IEDC is the largest organization of its kind. Economic developers promote economic well-being and quality of life for their communities, by creating, retaining and expanding jobs that facilitate growth, enhance wealth and provide a stable tax base. From public to private, rural to urban, and local to international, IEDC’s members are engaged in the full range of economic development experience. Given the breadth of economic development work, our members are employed in a wide variety of settings including local, state, provincial and federal governments, public-private partnerships, chambers of commerce, universities and a variety of other institutions. IEDC’s members create high-quality jobs, develop vibrant communities and improve the quality of life in their regions. www.iedcONLINE.org.