Innovate78 Economic Development leaders have recently been recognized for the outstanding work they have been doing in our communities.
Congratulations to Kevin Ham, Economic Development Director for the City of Vista, and Michelle Geller, Economic Development Manager for the City of Oceanside, for successfully passing the Accredited California Economic (ACE) exam. Ham and Geller are part of the first cohort of Accredited California Economic Developers. This accreditation is a grueling process. Students must complete all the program requirements including the Introduction to Economic Development Certificate Program, the Advanced Institute for Economic Development – on top of passing the ACE Exam, and demonstrating direct work experience.
The City of San Marcos also has a reason to celebrate. It recently won the CALED Award of Merit in the collaboration category . Tess Sangster, Economic Development Director with the City of San Marcos, worked with Sea Breeze Properties and California State University San Marcos (CSUSM) to create the North City development which will provide San Marcos with a new downtown. With the intention of building community in tandem with its surroundings, North City’s deliberate combination of mixed-use buildings, residences, destination-worthy restaurants, student housing, and campus facilities has charted a new course for how purposeful development can inspire and support an entire community.
Please join us in congratulating Ham, Geller, and Sangster along with their respective cities for these accomplishments!
