LANSING, Mich. (March 10, 2020) – The Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP) is garnering national attention again for excellence and leadership in economic development. The latest accolades were awarded to LEAP president and CEO Bob Trezise, who was selected as one of North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers for 2020 by Consultant Connect. Consultant Connect is a leading consulting agency focused on bridging the gap between economic developers and site consultants, a key relationship that defines the success of business attraction efforts. 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.

Bob Trezise has led the helm at LEAP since 2011, recruiting some of the best economic development staff in the nation to join him in developing innovative programs designed to attract and retain business and talent in the Lansing region.

During Bob’s tenure with LEAP, private sector investment projects have totaled over $3 billion, resulting in the creation of more than 7,100 direct-private jobs through a wide variety of award- winning projects, including the St. Johns Dairy Campus project recently awarded with both the Mid-America Economic Development Council’s Deal of the Year and the International Economic Development Council’s (IEDC) Public-Private Partnership Gold award; the Outfield Apartments development, Knapp’s Center redevelopment and the redevelopment of the long abandoned Ottawa Power Station which is now the corporate national headquarters of a thriving AF Group.

Trezise has also pushed LEAP to create a robust entrepreneurial business startup program, corporate innovation subsidiary (PROTO Accelerator), a placemaking program that has resulted in 35 pieces of strategically placed public art across the region and the creation and support of the Lansing Poet Laureate program.

For Trezise, this latest designation is both an honor and a signal that LEAP is acting on its mission to make the Lansing region a place top business and talent from around the world choose to call home, “I’m honored to be selected for this award and to be recognized with top colleagues from across the country. While it certainly feels good to be identified as a leader, it’s even more fulfulling to have LEAP’s relentless pursuit of excellence in all we do validated on a national stage. Our investors and our region are receiving the best there is, in the entire country, when it comes to economic development,” Trezise said.

To see the original press release from Consultant Connect Continue reading below

Consultant Connect Announces North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers of 2020

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 developer 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 practicioners 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, 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 Partnership
*Ashley Varnum, Georgia Department of Economic Development
*Ben France, Little Rock Regional Chamber
*Bentley Story, Arkansas Economic Development Commission
*Bo Gregory, Development Authority of Monroe County
*Brenda Robbins, Georgia Power
*Cathy Chambers, Florida Power & Light
*Chassen Haynes, Tennessee Department of Economic Development
*Chris Masingill, St. Tammany Corporation
*Chung Tan, City of Fayetteville, Arkansas
*Courtney Pogue, City of Dallas Office of Economic Development
*Dana Saucier, JobsOhio
*Daniel Hengeveld, Toronto Global
*Danielle Mousseau, Florida Power & Light
*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, Inc.
*Heidi Jameson, JAXUSA Partnership
*Isaac Lee, Steuben County Economic Development
*Jeff Janiszewski, Strategic Business Development, Empire State Development *Jennifer Wakefield, 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 Regional Business Alliance
*Kelly Andrews, Pitt County Development Commission
*Linda Jolly, El Dorado Inc.
*Lisa Hughes, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
*Lori Becklenberg, AllianceSTL
*Marvin J. Price, Charlotte Regional Business Alliance
*Matt Hall, One Southern Indiana
*Melissa 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, MetroHartford Alliance Richard Cornelison, OG&E
**Robert Trezise Jr., Lansing Economic Area Partnership
*Scarlett Phaneuf, PowerSouth Energy
*Stephen Thompson, Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership
*Steven Wright, City of Chesapeake Economic Development
*Thomas Maynard, Greater Phoenix Economic Council
*Tim Allen, Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce