Gildea Receives National Recognition

Indy Chamber News Archives

Brian Gildea, vice president of Indianapolis economic development for the Indy Chamber, recently earned the designation of Certified Economic Developer (CEcD), a national recognition that denotes a mastery of principal skills in economic development, professional attainment and a commitment to personal and professional growth.  

With 11 years of economic development experience, Gildea has been integral in the Indy Chamber’s economic development initiatives and long term planning projects such as: February’s Global Cities Initiative Metro Indianapolis Export Plan, the City of Indianapolis’ Mayors Industrial Reuse Taskforce, and the current development of the Metro Indy Economic Growth Strategy. Under Gildea’s leadership, Indianapolis posted more than 12,000 job commitments and over $300 million in capital investment in 2014. 

The CEcD exam was administered by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) and the 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 three-part, two-day examination, which tests a practitioner’s knowledge, proficiency and judgment in the key areas of economic development, including business retention and expansion, marketing, finance, workforce development, community development, real estate, strategic planning, tech-led economic development, and management.

As highly competent economic development practitioners, 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 well being, quality of life and opportunities for individuals, businesses and communities.  There are currently over 1,100 active CEcDs in the United States. 

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About Indy Chamber:

The Indy Chamber is the voice of progress and improvement for the Indianapolis region's business community. With membership of nearly 2,300 businesses representing 230,000 employees in the Indianapolis region, the Indy Chamber is leading the effort to strengthen the business climate, improve the state of education, revitalize neighborhoods and enhance the region's workforce. For more information about the Indy Chamber, visit IndyChamber.com. 

About IEDC:

The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is a non-profit, non-partisan membership organization serving economic developers. With more than 4,500 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. When we succeed, our members create high-quality jobs, develop vibrant communities, and improve the quality of life in their regions.

Learn more about IEDC: www.iedconline.org