For Immediate Release

Wednesday, December 3, 2025

Contact: Campbell County Administration; (434) 332-9525

The International Economic Development Council Proudly Awards Nina Rezai the Certified Economic Developer Designation

Campbell County, VA - Nina Rezai, earned the nationally recognized designation of Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), denoting a mastery of skills in economic development and a dedication to personal and professional growth. This milestone marks a significant achievement and underscores Nina Rezai’s commitment to excellence in the field of economic development.

“Becoming a Certified Economic Developer isn’t just a credential, it’s a career-defining milestone that demonstrates a professional’s dedication to elevating their expertise and their community impact,” said IEDC President and CEO Nathan Ohle. “Certified Economic Developers possess deep technical knowledge and bring trust and credibility to stakeholders, investors, and peers. We are thrilled to celebrate Nina Rezai on achieving this accomplishment and joining our network of professionals driving economic progress around the world.”

The CEcD designation is a prestigious acknowledgement of skilled and committed professionals in the field of economic development, establishing a benchmark of excellence within the industry. To attain this designation, candidates must successfully complete a rigorous and comprehensive examination, consisting of three parts and spanning two days. This examination assesses a practitioner's knowledge, proficiency, judgement, and critical thinking abilities in the following areas of economic development:

Business retention and expansion
Finance & credit analysis
Marketing and attraction
Strategic planning
Entrepreneurial & small business development 
Managing economic development organizations
Neighborhood development strategies
Real estate development & reuse
Technology-led economic development
Workforce development strategies
Foreign direct investment & exporting

“We commend Nina on her hard work and congratulate her on this achievement. We are proud of her commitment to excellence and we celebrate this milestone with her as she applies her expertise toward economic growth in our locality,” said Frank Rogers, Campbell County Administrator.

Certified Economic Developers operate as highly skilled economic development professionals and collaborate with public officials, business leaders, and community members to establish astute leadership and serve as a driving force in the economic development landscape. Their commitment to excellence translates into a profound impact on well-being, elevating the quality of life and unlocking a myriad of opportunities for individuals, businesses, and communities alike. 

Nina Rezai is now one of over 1,250 active CEcDs worldwide.

About Nina Rezai

Nina has worked for Campbell County since 2014 and served as the Assistant Director of Public Works before joining the Department of Economic Development where she was named Director in 2022.

She is a 2025 graduate of the Oklahoma University Economic Development Institute. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering Management from Sweet Briar College and a Master of Public Administration from Old Dominion University.

Her commitment to the community runs deep as she is a lifetime member of the Girl Scouts, a sustaining member of the Junior League of Lynchburg and serves on the CVCC Educational Foundation Board.

About the International Economic Development Council

The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is a non-profit, non-partisan membership organization serving economic developers. With thousands of members, IEDC is the largest organization of its kind. Economic developers promote economic well-being and quality of life for their communities by creating, retaining, and expanding jobs that facilitate growth, enhance wealth, and provide a stable tax base.

From public to private, rural to urban, and local to international, IEDC’s members engage in a full range of economic development practices. Given the breadth of economic development work, our members are employed in various settings, including local, state, provincial, and federal governments, public-private partnerships, chambers of commerce, universities, and a variety of other institutions.

When we succeed, our members create high-quality jobs, develop vibrant communities, and improve the quality of life in their regions.

Learn more at https://www.iedconline.org/. 

Campbell County, VA

Office of the County Administrator

47 Courthouse Lane | Rustburg, VA 24588

(434) 332-9500 | www.campbellcountyva.gov