Eight Georgia professionals recently earned Georgia Certified Economic Developer certification through the University of Georgia Carl Vinson Institute of Government.

The Georgia Certified Economic Developer (GCED) program offers economic development professionals Georgia-specific training that is directly applicable to their communities’ economic success.

Participants complete 60 hours of course work and a capstone portfolio project to receive their GCED certification. Coursework includes practical, skills-based training and offers two specialty tracks to choose from: Industry Knowledge or Leadership Development. This year’s GCED graduates were honored at the Georgia Economic Development Association Spring Workshop at Chateau Elan in Braselton.

2025 Georgia Certified Economic Developer Graduates

Kerri Carson, Owner, Dawne Marketing, LLC

Lequrica Gaskins, Downtown Manager, DDA Executive Director, Albany

Chris Hardin, Economic Development Manager, Suwanee

Joseph Ingui, Director of Economic Development, Carroll Tomorrow

Sara Kolbie, City Council At Large, City of Dublin

Rachel Langelotti, Acting Communications Manager, Marietta

Teresa Parhams, Senior Project Manager, City of South Fulton, Economic Development

Aaron Szarowicz, Project Manager, Business Attraction, Invests Atlanta