Training Program for the Emerging Leaders
Atlanta Cohort Information

With support from the U.S. Economic Development Administration, Atlanta Regional Office (Agreement Number ED24ATL0G0586), the NADO Research Foundation is pleased to offer the Training Program for Emerging Leaders (Emerging Leaders) for the EDA Atlanta Region.

The Emerging Leaders program provides EDD staff members with the education and skills required to lead a high-performing EDD. Cohort participants are offered a unique opportunity to learn about successful community and economic development approaches of other EDDs in the Atlanta region and beyond through on-site trainings. Additionally, the program is an opportunity to create a peer network across the Atlanta Regional Office service area that can add value to EDD activities long after the training program is finished.

The application for Cohort II of the Atlanta Emerging Leaders program is open until December 14, 2026. 

2026 Cohort
  • Greg Boike, Middle Georgia Regional Commission (GA)
  • Amy Frogue, Pennyrile Area Development District (KY) 
  • Tim Hendrick, East Tennessee Development District (TN)
  • Lindsay Privette, Pee Dee Regional Council of Governments (SC)
  • Beka Shiver, Southwest Georgia Regional Commission (GA)
  • Caroline Smith, Apalachee Regional Planning Commission (FL)
  • Eric Wright, East Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission (AL)
  • Leslie Wright, Top of Alabama Council of Governments (AL)
The sites visits and conferences are as follows (plus a possible day before or after to accommodate travel):
  • July 19-25, 2026
    EDA Atlanta Regional Conference
    East Alabama & Northwest GA Site Visits

  • September 21-24, 2026
    North Carolina Site Visits

  • October 19-23, 2026
    NADO Annual Training Conference, Reno, NV
    Western Nevada Development District Site Visit

  • December 7-10, 2026
    Western Kentucky Site Visits

The application for Cohort II of the Atlanta Emerging Leaders program is open until December 14, 2026. 

Click here to apply. 

The sites visits and conferences are as follows (plus a possible day before or after to accommodate travel):

Site Visit 1
Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council (FL)
February 1-4, 2027

Site Visit 2
NADO Washington Conference (Arlington, VA) + Central Shenandoah & Northern Shenandoah PDC (VA)
March 8-12, 2027

Site Visit 3
Location TBD
May 24-27, 2027

Site Visit 4
EDA Atlanta Training & Site Visit (Location TBD)
July 2027

Questions? Contact:

Jack Morgan, Director of Programs
276.791.7687 (m) | [email protected]

Search NADO.org