Lynn Tully Receives Designation of Certified Economic Developer from the International Economic Development Council
Lynn Tully, Development Services Director for the City of Kingsport, TN has earned the designation of Certified Economic Developer (CEcD), an international recognition that denotes a mastery of skills in economic development, professional attainment and a commitment to personal and professional growth.
The CEcD exam was administered by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) on January 27-28, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. With over 20 years of experience in development and six years in economic development with the City of Kingsport, Tully has worked to encourage and promote retail, industrial and commercial development and operates closely with community partners to present the region as a best place to locate and grow business. Her work includes partnerships for existing business retention and expansions as well as new commercial attraction. She also promotes non-traditional economic development efforts in housing and residential attraction.
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 culminating in an oral interview and spans two intensive 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 well-being, quality of life and opportunities for individuals, businesses and communities. There are currently over 1,100 active CEcDs in the United States.
Tully was also appointed to serve on the Tennessee Housing Development Agency Board in June of 2016. Board appointments are made by the Governor and represent a variety of backgrounds from finance and banking to real estate and development. THDA was created to promote the production of more affordable new housing units for very low, low and moderate income individuals and families in the state, to promote the preservation and rehabilitation of existing housing units for such persons, and to bring greater stability to the residential construction industry and related industries so as to assure a steady flow of production of new housing units. She chairs the Tax Credit committee which awarded more than $419M in tax credits and bonds across the state to build or preserve affordable rental housing in 2016.
