In support of Stronger Districts, Stronger Regions, a National Economic Development District (EDD) Leadership Capacity Building Initiative, the following materials have been gathered on various subjects to assist current and rising executive directors, RDO Board Members, and RDO staff. The resources are designed to build professional capacities, strengthen RDOs, and assist executive directors when developing leadership skills.
Click the category links below to access pages that include conference presentations, webinars, publications, and more prepared by the NADO Research Foundation, RDOs, partner organizations, and consultants.
As part of NADO RF’s Stronger Districts, Stronger Regions initiative, present and former EDD executive directors shared valuable insights about their leadership roles.
Thanks to funding from the US Economic Development Administration for the Stronger Districts, Stronger Regions initiative, the NADO RF, RDOs, partner organizations, and consultants were able to develop and curate many of these materials. Resources include conference presentations, webinars, publications, and more.
Have materials or examples you’d like to share? Email Ciara Ristig at [email protected] with any additional resources from your region or state. New resources will be added over time.
Stronger Districts, Stronger Regions, a National Economic Development District (EDD) Leadership Capacity Building Initiative, is prepared by the NADO Research Foundation using Federal funds under award ED20HDQ3030071 from the U.S. Economic Development Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Economic Development Administration or the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Below you will find links to resources for maximizing your organization’s potential—operationally and strategically. These resources are designed to assist RDOs by sharing experiences and best practices, learning from others’ challenges and obstacles, and gaining insights into innovative approaches from peers and others across the country.
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Joe McKinney serves as Executive Director of the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO). Headquartered in Washington DC, NADO provides advocacy, education, research, and training for the nation’s 500+ regional planning and development organizations.
Joe has thirty-one years of experience having served in city, county, regional, national association, and government management since 1991. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Public Policy Analysis from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is a candidate for a master’s degree in Public Administration from UNC-Chapel Hill.
McKinney has provided congressional testimony on numerous occasions regarding the importance of regional development organizations in helping shape the nation’s economic growth. He is nationally recognized for promoting innovative solutions in areas such as planning and economic development, workforce development, transportation and transit, and aging services.