Meet our Instructors and Class Directors

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Jeet Kumar- The NWCDI 2023 Keynote Speaker

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Lisa Bachman- Finding a Vision: How Comprehensive Planning Shapes Your Community 

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Amy Benson- Connecting Local Economies to the World

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Becky Bryant- Year 1 Class Director; Team Building Tools

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Michelle Bly- Year 2 Class Director

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Sam Byrd- Implementing Diversity Tools; The Value and Power of Diversity; Creating a Diverse Community

 

Dr. Mary Emery- Making Communities Stronger in Challenging Times; Building Entrepreneurial Communities

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Alison Espindola- Tools, Tip and Tricks for Building Stronger Arts and Cultural Communities 

 

Eric Forsch- Building Community Broadband

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Dana Gover- Accessible Communities

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Laura Johnson- Connecting Local Economies to the World

 

Sean Olson- Media Message and Executive Speaker Training
 

Kim Glineski- Business Retention and Expansion

 

Erik Kingston- Housing as a Second Language for Economic Development; Access for All

 

Dr. Paul Lewin- The Dollar Game; Futures Game

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Dr John Luthy- New Age of Public Leadership; Strategic Thinking and Planning for Community Leaders and Public Managers; Workforce Development

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Jeremy McVeety- Advanced Class Director

 

Jill Miles- Top Drivers of Business Attraction
 

Jerry Miller- Show Me the Money: Finding and Securing Grants; Economic Analysis; Newtonia; Downtown Revitalization 

 

Maureen Gresham- Tools, Tips and Tricks for Building an Effective Community Transportation Network

 

Jake Reynolds- Economic Development 101

 

Nancy Richardson- Historic Preservation as Economic Development
 

Ben Roeber-Disaster Prepardness & Community Resiliency

 

Kelly Sills- Mastering Meeting Procedures/Working with Boards and Commissions ; Change and Resiliency
 

Dr. Marcia Smart- Building Community Leadership Networks

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Deanna Smith- The Smart Growth Approach to Community Development

 

Gina Taruscio- Year 3 Class Director; Public Finance 101 

 

Jennifer Verdon- Connecting Local Economies to the World

 

Dr. Jaap Vos- Community Assessments; Advanced Class

 

Mike Williams- Navigating Planning and Zoning: How to Site a Project

 

Gloria Zacharias- Ehical Challenges in Community and Economic Development; City of Somerset; Community Values and Principles