MEDP Executive Director Jody Christensen Receives 2017 Economic Development Leader of the Year Award

Oct 27, 2017

MEDP Executive Director Jody Christensen stands with current and past OEDA Presidents to receive her award.

(MCMINNVILLE, OR) - On Monday, October 23, 2017, MEDP (McMinnville Economic Development Partnership) Executive Director Jody Christensen received the 2017 Economic Development Leader of the Year Award from the Oregon Economic Development Association (OEDA).

The Economic Development Leader of the Year Award “recognizes outstanding achievements in the economic development profession.” The award recognizes significant career achievements and the effect of those achievements on their economic development organization and the community as a whole. The award also recognizes the impact of those achievements on economic development as a profession.

Jody Christensen has been working with MEDP for 11 years as the organization's first official employee and Executive Director. Since taking her position at MEDP, Ms. Christensen has been involved in countless projects and has created a multitude of programs and significant campaigns. She has also had a far reaching influence on the region and state as the creator and lead of TEAM Oregon’s Food Processing and TEAM Oregon’s Advanced Manufacturing initiatives.

Her notable achievements include the creation of the McMinnville WORKS Internship Program, which just completed its fifth year and has helped companies in the region “grow their own” workforce through meaningful internship experiences, retention of more than 500 jobs, and managing projects which resulted in over $20 million in capital investments since 2008.

She has been involved with several industrial projects in McMinnville, including the expansion of Betty Lou’s, Inc., the expansion of NWUAV, the recent recruitment of Organic Valley, and more. Christensen is always available to the business community in McMinnville to lend assistance to companies and connect resources to ensure they can continue to grow our economy.

MEDP Board Member Kelly McDonald commented: “I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this award. Jody plays a crucial and important role in the McMinnville community. Her dedication to economic development and to McMinnville shows in her work ethic and her ability to inspire others. We are lucky to have her.”

We at MEDP feel fortunate to have Jody leading the charge and hope you join us in congratulating her on this success.