Committees

Advocacy Committee

Would you like to be a part of developing and advocating for legislative and policy priorities on behalf of the statewide association of economic development professionals? The mission of the Advocacy Committee is to establish PEDA as the leader in economic development matters for legislation, the administration, and local government. The committee generally meets by phone on the third Thursday of each month, convening live meetings at PEDA's spring and fall conferences.

Co-Chairs
Laura Goodrich Cairns, Commerce Director, Delaware County Economic Development Corporation
Rob Swales, Chief Executive Officer, Clearly Ahead Development

Awards Committee

The Awards Committee is responsible for implementing and upholding the Awards Program guidelines including collecting and reviewing nominations and voting on annual award winners. The committee meets by phone, periodically, leading up to PEDA's annual fall conferences, where award recipients are announced and recognized.

Chair
Stephen McKnight, President & CEO, Altoona Blair County Development Corp

Conference Committee

The Conference Committee is responsible for overseeing the development of PEDA conferences. The committee generally meets by phone on a monthly basis, convening live meetings at PEDA's spring and fall conferences.

Chair
Aaron Gantz, Senior Director of Economic Development, Greater Reading Chamber Alliance

EDC Committee

The mission of the EDC/IDC Committee is to collect and disseminate information regarding issues surrounding Pennsylvania’s EDC/IDC’s. The committee is structured to serve as a forum for discussion, networking and advocating issues. The committee generally meets on a quarterly basis, convening live meetings at PEDA's spring and fall conferences and conference calls each summer and winter.

Chair
Jarred Heuer, Executive Director, Clarion County Economic Development Corporation (CCEDC)
Jennifer Wakeman, Executive Director, DRIVE

Membership and Communications Committee

OUR MEMBERS MAKE IT HAPPEN… 

The mission of the Membership Committee is to engage and involve current members while striving to identify and attract new members. The committee meets periodically.

Chair
Vacant                  .

Young Professionals Committee

The mission of the Young Professionals Committee is as follows.

• To support and further the development of young professionals in economic development through education, networking, and camaraderie.
• To craft and implement innovative practices throughout the Commonwealth that enhance Pennsylvania’s competitive economic position, both regionally and nationally.

Chair
Rachel Prosser, Accounting Manager, Altoona Blair County Development Corporation