Maryland Economic Development Association

MEDA 2009 Winter Conference Speaker Bio's

Jeffrey A. Finkle

Jeffrey A. Finkle has been a leader in economic development for more than 20 years. In 2001 he became the President and CEO of the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) following the merger of the Council for Urban Economic Development (CUED) with the American Economic Development Council (AEDC). Managing a $5 million annual budget and staff of 30, his keen ability to leverage resources and follow a vision have been instrumental in transforming IEDC into the largest economic development membership organization in the U.S.

Finkle served for 15 years as President and CEO of CUED prior to the merger, taking the reigns of the organization at a time it was facing tremendous financial and organizational challenges. A strong and compassionate leader, he steered the organization through this tumultuous period and oversaw the vast expansion of the organization's influence. Before assuming leadership of CUED, he was U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Deputy Assistant Secretary of Community Planning and Development for Program Management from 1984 to 1986, directing programs with budgets totaling over $3 billion, including the Community Development Block Grant and the Urban Development Action Grant Program.

Finkle has successfully established multi-lateral partnerships with regional and national economic development organizations throughout the world and currently sits on the Consultative Committee of World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA). He has contributed to projects in China, Europe, Latin America, and Oceania as an expert on community revitalization strategies, development financing, and economic development programs. He is an author of numerous articles, keynote speaker and advisor and has been called upon by Congressional Committees for his expertise.

A native of Ohio, he maintains a long-standing relationship with Ohio University's Voinovich School for Leadership and Public Affairs and serves on the School's Institute for Local Government Administration and Rural Development Advising Committee, where he regularly participates in programs of direct benefit to Appalachia Ohio. He is additionally a member of the Arlington Virginia Economic Development Commission and served on the BRAC Task Force with the Commission in 2005, dealing with issues that directly impacted 4 million square feet of Arlington office space and 17,000 jobs. He continues to sit on the Executive Committee of the Commission.

In 1989, Finkle founded the Bollinger Foundation, a non-profit organization to provide financial assistance for the education and support of children who have lost one or more parent who worked in the field of economic development. Under his leadership the foundation has awarded approximately $500,000 in grants to families in need. The Bollinger Open, a golf tournament and primary fundraising event, is held annually at Andrews Airforce Base Golf Course. Finkle is also President and CEO of the Association of Defense Communities (ADC), a membership organization assisting in the conversion of military communities. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in communications in 1976 from Ohio University in Athens and pursued graduate studies in business administration at Ohio State University. Finkle holds a certification in the field of economic development and has appeared on national news programs such as CNBC Power Lunch, CBS Sunday Morning, and The Journal Report on PBS. He has additionally been quoted in the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, and the Washington Post, as well as many local papers nationwide.