Quentin L. Messer, Jr., president and CEO of the New Orleans Business Alliance, 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 the CEcD exam on June 8-9, 2019 in Salt Lake City, UT.

Leading Economic Development in New Orleans

Messer has seven years of direct economic development experience, and an impressive list of accomplishments since joining the Business Alliance in 2015. Named by Consultants Connect as one of the Top 50 Economic Developers in North America, he played a critical role in attracting DXC Technology, Louisiana’s largest economic development win. Other accomplishments include attracting additional retail for the city, launching the New Orleans Health Innovators Challenge to attract digital health startups and improve local healthcare, and the Economic Development Ambassadors Program that boosts over 200 graduates.  In addition, in 2017, the Business Alliance became one of fewer than 75 accredited economic development organizations (AEDO) globally by the International Economic Development Council.

Through the integration of the former Network for Economic Opportunity into the Business Alliance, during Messer’s tenure, the organization is conducting its work through four workstreams: business attraction/retention, small business growth, talent & workforce development and strategic neighborhood development.

Promoting Culture, Equity and Prosperity

Earlier this summer, Messer led the Business Alliance in holding its first Annual Meeting entitled, Economic Development Reimagined, and changed its tagline to Culture. Equity. Prosperity.

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.

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. There are currently 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.