2026 Michael P. Hickey Foundation Scholarship

Mid-America EDC is now accepting applications for the 2026 Michael P. Hickey Foundation Scholarships!

The purpose of this scholarship program is to assist new economic development professionals in furthering their professional development through conference participation and mentoring. All applicants will be evaluated based on their interest in the Mid-America EDC, as well as their interest in economic development overall. This program is available for Mid-America EDC members and non-members, but applicants new to economic development will be given preference. 

The Mid-America EDC is a multi-state association dedicated to being the leading resource for education, making connections, and sharing best practices for economic development professionals.

Mid-America EDC Benefits Include:

  • Professional development webinars, peer mentoring, and other resources that help the economic development professional to excel
  • Recognition of achievements in marketing and economic development programs in the region throughout the year
  • Awards programs to recognize excellence in the industry
  • Promotion of the 13-state region to site selectors and industries
  • Networking opportunities among regional members to promote idea exchange and partnering

Five Selected Recipients will Receive:

  • Registration to the 2026 Power, Progress, and Possibility Annual Conference in Grand Rapids, MI
  • Mentoring from leaders in the Mid-America EDC region
  • Complimentary Mid-America EDC Membership through January 1, 2028.
  • Experience serving on a non-executive Mid-America EDC Committee for 2027

2026 Michael P. Hickey Foundation Scholarship Application

Scholarships

2025 Recipients

  • Stephanie  Aman, Economic Development Coordinator, City of Farmington
  • Perrica Short, Program Manager, Preble County Development Partnership
  • Courtney Schafer, Marketing and Attraction Manager, BNEDC
  • Connor Christensen, Economic Policy & Research Advisor, Wyomning Business Council
  • Melissa Meschke, Executive Director, St. Croix Economic Development Corporation

2024 Recipients

  • Dallas Gosselin, Executive Director, Norton County Economic Development
  • Gage Pace, Economic Development Manager, One Dearborn
  • Lisa McArthur, Vice Presidet of Economic Development, Envision Greater Fond du Lac
  • Jalatama Omar, Economic Development Specialist, City of Pleasant Hill
  • Casey Peterson, Director of Business Attraction, BNEDC

2023 Recipients

  • Colton Bickel, Executive Director, Adams County Economic Development Corporation
  • Ruth Brindle, Workforce & Data Specialist, Clinton County Port Authority
  • Lucas Froeschl, Executive Director, Falls City Economic Development and Growth Enterprise, Inc.
  • Sheldon Jensen, Economic Development Specialist, Sioux Metro Growth Alliance
  • Olivia Otte, Executive Director, Green County Development Corporation

2022 Recipients

  • Mitch Massman, Community and Business Development Specialist, Community and Economic Development Associates
  • Rebecca Undem, Founder and Executive Director, Growing Small Towns
  • Haylee Chenchar, Managing Director & Vice President, Cheyenne Downtown Development Authority
  • Sherri Johnston, President/CEO, LaGrange County EDC
  • Brad Reams, Industrial Park Director, Great Plains Development Authority

2021 Recipients

  • Jalen Boney, Business Development Manager, Michigan City
  • Jack Gottfried, Community Development Specialist, Upper Minnesota Valley Regional Development Commission
  • Andrew Nilges, Executive Director, North Sioux City Economic Development Corporation
  • Eric DeKorne, Business Retention & Expansion Manager, Greater Green Bay Chamber
  • Erin Hirn, Support Services Manager, Village of Germantown

2020 Recipients

  • Patrick Mohorcic, Economic Development Manager, Lake County Ohio Port and Economic Development Authority
  • Lynne McAuliffe, Dean-CWC, Vice Chairman, Central Wyoming College & IDEA Inc. 
  • Melissa Hunt, Municipal Services Manager, Vierbicher Associates, Inc
  • Angela De La Riva, Director of Economic Development, Hardin County, Iowa
  • Zane Francescato, Development Director, Seward County Chamber & Development Partnership
  • Curtis Burdette, Vice President, Energy Capital Economic Development

2019 Recipients

  • Jenilee Haynes Peterson, Economic Development Manager, Economic Development Corporation Michigan City
  • Jessica Hightower, Economic Development Director, Linn County, KS
  • Rachel Pruitt, Economic Development Director, City of Fort Scott
  • Marie Pflipsen, Community Development Director, City of Becker
  • Matt Shermoen, Business Developer, APEX
  • Jennifer Serkiz, Executive Director, Cass County Nebraska Economic Development Council
  • Alex Gauding, Research Associate, Team Northeast Ohio
  • Amy Greil, Community Development Educator, Associate Professor, University of Wisconsin Madison Extension
  • Rebecca Goodmanson, Manger, Corporate Attraction and Development, Milwaukee 7
  • Anton King, Executive Director, DeKalb County Economic Development Partnership
  • Michael Krings, Executive Director, Hastings Economic Development Corporation
  • Chris Spielman, Project Coordinator, Team NEO
     

2018 Recipients

  • Sharon Stroh, Executive Director, Ottumwa Economic Development Corp.
  • Dana Monson, Interim Executive Director, Johnson County Development corp
  • Jill Scicchitano, Director of Industry Growth Initiatives, South Bend | Elkhart Regional Partnership
  • Linnette Phillips, Economic Development, Deputy Director Small Business and Workforce Development, City of Flint
  • Katie Heppner, Executive Director, West Central Economic Development Alliance
  • Brandon Smith, Business Development Officer, EDCKC
  • Sydney Martis, Research Associate, Team NEO
  • Abby Haas, Economic Development Director, Lafayette Development Corporation/Lafayette County
  • Jamie Rybarczyk, Deputy Administrator | Director of Economic Development, Village of Windsor
  • Claudia Todd, Coordinator, JOCO First
     

2017 Recipients

  • Andrew Ambriz, Executive Director, McCook Economic Development Corporation
  • Quentin Bishop, Director of Business Attraction, Economic Development Alliance of St. Clair County
  • Carol Johnson, Executive Director, Mount Horeb Area Economic Development Corporation
  • Isaac Lee, Executive Director, Steuben County Economic Development Corporation
  • Melissa Norgard, Economic Development Director, City of Sidney, NE
  • Thomas Otto, Economic Development Specialist, City of Madison
  • Amy Sapp, Special Projects Coordinator - Economic Development, City of Kimball
  • Andrea Sitzes, Executive Director, Ozark Chamber of Commerce
  • Maggie Vaughan, Director of Talent Solutions, Hastings Economic Development Corporation
  • Todd Willis, Economic Development Coordinator, City of Brookfield
  • Mary Wilson, Executive Director, Keith County Area Development
  • Jerry Zielke, Director, Paulding County Economic Development, Inc.
  • Andrew Zupkoff, Director of Community and Economic Development, City of Freeport, IL
     

2016 Recipients

  • Abby Attoun, Director of Community Development, City of Middleton, Wisconsin
  • Chris Castle, Economic Development Assistant, Norwalk Economic Development Corporation
  • Mark Dobson, President & CEO, The Economic Development Corporation of Elkhart County
  • Katie Eaton, President, Michigan City Chamber of Commerce
  • Morgan Franklin, Business Development Officer, Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City
  • Matthew Godinez, Executive Director, Chanute Regional Development Authority
  • Megan McGown, Vice President of Economic Development and Marketing, North Platte Area Chamber & Development Corporation
  • Sean Overeynder, Community Development Director, Twin Cities Development
  • Erin Ruth, Director of Planning & Development, Village of Cottage Grove, WI
  • Lauren Sheridan-Simonsen, Assistant Director of Economic Development, City of Neligh
  • Christina Stephenson, Economic Development Coordinator, KBJ Economic Development
  • Michael Stewart, Managing Director, Grayslake Business Partnership, LLC
     

2015 Recipients

  • Blake Benson, Economic Development Director, City of Pittsburg
  • Sam Blahnik, Community Development Director, Village of DeForest
  • Bryce Davis, Director, Wright County Economic Development
  • Nick Fosheim, Executive Director, Lincoln County EDA and Minnehaha EDA
  • Thomas Harrigan, Zoning and Planning Administrator, Village of Elm Grove, WI
  • Heather Horowitz, Executive Director, Norwalk Economic Development Corporation
  • Rachael Parker, Director of Economic Development, City of Chillicothe
  • Heather Smith, Director of Economic Development, City of Fort Scott, KS

2014 Recipients

  • Brittany Abrams, Economic Development Coordinator, Village of Justice
  • Regina Emberton, President, Michiana Partnership
  • Travis Haggard, Executive Director, Keith County Area Development
  • Charles Hilmes, Mayor - Economic Development, City of Breese
  • Christine Kish, Project Manager - Attraction, Team Lorain County
  • Ken Maule, Executive Director, Lincoln County Economic Development Corporation
  • Glennis McClure, Extension Educator – Farm & Ranch Management Analyst, University of Nebraska – Lincoln
  • Patricia Perry, Interim Manager, Portland Main Street
  • Mary Rajek, Economic Development Associate, Redevelopment Resources, LLC
  • Luke Virgil, Economic Development Coordinator, City of Laurel, Nebraska

2013 Recipients

  • Wilson Bowling, Economic Development Director, City of Kimball
  • David Connolly, Executive Director, Crawford County EDC
  • Lisa Elliott, Principal Planner – Environmental Review Specialist, Minnesota Department of Transportation
  • Kelly Flynn, Director of Economic Development, City of South Sioux City
  • Terrance Hall, Manager of Economic Development, World Business Chicago
  • Celie Koth, Marketing Coordinator, Watertown Economic Development Organization
  • Monica Lueking-Crowe, Executive Director, Furnas-Harlan Partnership
  • Joe Sobieralski, Executive Director, Southwestern Michigan Economic Growth Alliance
     

2012 Recipients

  • Nicole Sedlacek, Holt County Economic Development Agency
  • Kim Uhlig, Uhlig Enterprises