International Economic Development Council Announces Leonard Sledge as Board Member
International Economic Development Council Announces Leonard Sledge as Board Member
Leonard Sledge to Begin Serving Tenure as IEDC Board Member in January
Washington, D.C. — International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is proud to announce that Leonard Sledge, Director, Department of Economic Development of City of Richmond, has joined the IEDC Board of Directors for a two-year term. The process took place during the annual board meeting on Wednesday, October 6, 2021, at IEDC's 2021 Annual Conference in Nashville, TN. The upcoming term begins on January 1, 2022.
"We look forward to the addition of Sledge to our Board of Directors,” said 2021 IEDC Board Chair and President and CEO of Invest Buffalo Niagara, Tom Kucharski. “Their new role will ensure great accomplishments in 2022 and beyond."
“We are very pleased with the credentials and commitment to economic development of our new board. They will help lead the International Economic Development Council to the future of this profession" added IEDC President and CEO Jeff Finkle.
"It is truly an honor to be selected to serve as a Board Member for the largest economic development organization in the world, the International Economic Development Council (IEDC)," said Sledge. "Now more than ever economic development professionals have a critical role to help ensure equitable economic growth in all communities. I look forward to supporting my colleagues in this mission and the advancement of our profession and the communities that we serve over the next two years."
Sledge is an economic development leader with over 15 years of experience. Currently serving as the Director of Economic Development for the City of Richmond, Sledge and his team focus on supporting the existing business community, attracting new companies, and transformational redevelopment projects. Sledge has previously served as the Director of Economic Development for Henry County, GA, the City of Hampton, and the College of William & Mary. Sledge received his multiple degrees from Morehouse College, Georgia Institute of Technology, and the University of Phoenix.
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.