I am eager to participate in the ACE Michigan program to learn about best practices and strategic investments that further regional economic development in Michigan and beyond, and in turn, to share those strategies and connections with economic development stakeholders that I work with throughout the U.S. I hope that these connections will assist my work developing new projects and partnerships in other states and regions, while also learning from challenges faced in Michigan. In my role working for the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) I work to build connections between Economic Development Districts/Regional Development Organizations in the United States, including with U.S. officials who administer economic development funding and programs. I have worked with the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA), and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) while at NADO and understand the importance of building this network to support regional economic development. If selected to participate in the program, I would be excited to tour project sites in Michigan, explore successful economic development models that have been implemented there, and develop connections and partnerships with decision-makers and leaders in the economic development field in order to share experiences, exchange ideas, build networks, and explore the creation of potential new programs and partnerships. I am familiar with the ACE program thanks to colleagues who have previously participated in the program, all of whom spoke highly of it. I believe I could add value to the program by forging connections between Michigan stakeholders and Regional Development Organizations (RDOs) elsewhere in the U.S., including U.S. federal officials, particularly within certain focus areas, including: regional economic development planning, workforce training; transportation planning; small business support/entrepreneurship; disaster prevention and mitigation, and more. Thank you for your time and consideration.