Patricia Lundstrom, the executive director of the Greater Gallup Economic Development Corporation, recently earned the designation of Certified Economic Developer, a national recognition that denotes the mastery of principal skills in economic development, professional attainment and commitment to personal and professional growth.
The CEcD exam was administered by the International Economic Development Council during the first week of December in Albuquerque.
“We want to congratulate (Executive Director) Lundstrom on achieving the CEcD designation,” Tommy Haws, president of the GGEDC board of directors, said. “It adds tremendously to the professional credibility that GGEDC demonstrates in the economic development arena.”
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 judgement in various areas of economic development, among them business retention and expansion, marketing and attraction, entrepreneurial and small business development and work force development strategies, among others, Mike Sage, deputy director at the GGEDC said.
In providing some background on the recognition, Sage said 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 economic development improves the well-being, quality of life and opportunities for individuals, businesses and communities. There are more than 1,100 active CEcD’s in the United States.
Lundstrom said she was pleased to receive the honor, saying receiving such an award represents a collective effort on the part of the greater Gallup.
A Milan native and a former executive director at the Northwest New Mexico Council of Governments, Lundstrom was recognized as the New Mexico IDEA Economic Developer of the Year last month. The GGEDC, under the direction of Lundstrom, has spearheaded the creation of the multimillion dollar Gallup Energy Logistics Park, a trans-loading project to be built on Gallup’s west end.
By Bernie Dotson
Sun Correspondent
