William Cotton named fellow in economic council
Sept. 13, 2000
KALAMAZOO -- William H. Cotton has been named a fellow of the American Economic Development Council, the nation's largest and oldest economic development society.
The Fellow Member designation honors AEDC members who have made extraordinary contributions to the economic development field.
Cotton is director of the Office of Business Development Services in the Haworth College of Business at Western Michigan University, a post he assumed in 1985. He is also director of the Michigan Economic Development Course and was recently elected to the national board of directors of the AEDC. In 1998 the Michigan Economic Developers Association presented him with its John Conboy award for outstanding contributions to the development profession. A Certified Economic Developer, Cotton earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees from WMU.
The American Economic Development Council serves more than 3,000 economic development professionals around the nation. AEDC helps members create sustainable local economic development capabilities which are globally competitive; gives leadership in building knowledge, forming alliances and managing key issues; and serves as a career anchor for economic developers who are--or wish to become--leaders in the profession. The council administers the Certified Economic Developer program, which awards the CED designation to professionals who pass a three-part certification exam.
Part of the Haworth College of Business, the Office of Business Development Services is an umbrella organization responsible for the administration and oversight of the Southwest Michigan Technical Assistance Center, the Women's Business Development Center, the Office of Professional Programs and the Economic Development Resource Center. These units provide Michigan businesses and economic development organizations with business assistance and program development in areas such as government contracting, workforce development and other initiatives which impact the state's economy.
Media contact: Jessica English, 616 387-8400, jessica.english@wmich.edu