Three longtime members of the team at Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation (LVEDC) were recognized by the organization for their combined four decades of service to the Lehigh Valley community.
Jarrett Witt, Stephanie Wean, and Jennifer Weighknecht perform roles ranging from helping new businesses find locations, to obtaining financing, to managing central administrative staffing services to various economic development financing organizations, the Lehigh Valley Partnership, and the Industrial Training and Education Consortium of the Lehigh Valley (iTEC). They handle important details that make a big difference, helping set up companies for success. That success increases the Lehigh Valley’s prosperity, which creates employment opportunities for people of all skill and education levels.
Witt joined LVEDC in 2004. In his current role as Director of Business Development, he directs prospects who are interested in locating or expanding their operations in the Lehigh Valley by assisting them with site selection and the acquisition of incentives. He provides relevant demographic and economic data and connects them with various public and private resources.
“Jarrett is one of the first contacts that companies have as they consider entering the Lehigh Valley market,” said Don Cunningham, President and CEO of LVEDC. “Jarrett’s extensive knowledge of the Lehigh Valley and the many relationships he has built with brokers, developers, and others in the real estate community are invaluable.”
During his tenure Witt has served as a Regional Development Specialist, Regional Development Manager, Vice President of Economic Development, and Director of Economic Development Projects.
He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Geography – Environmental Planning from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania.
Wean joined LVEDC in 2014. In her current role as Program Manager, she provides administrative and program support to both the Lehigh and Northampton County Industrial Development Authorities; Lehigh Valley Economic Investment Corp. (LVEIC); Lehigh Valley Partnership; LVEDC Board of Directors; and iTEC, an apprenticeship program for advanced manufacturing.
She also is responsible for the administration of the Keystone Opportunity Zone and serves as administrator for the United States Foreign Trade Zone #272, which allows companies in the Lehigh Valley to become more competitive in the global marketplace by taking advantage of tax abatements and other incentives. Wean assists with business outreach and investor relations and provides support for LVEDC events, raising historic sponsorships for events.
“Stephanie’s versatility and exceptional relationship-building with our many partners allows LVEDC to keep moving forward to accomplish our mission,” Cunningham said. “Our Annual Meeting, which almost every year is attended by more people and sponsored by more organizations, would not be as successful without the work she puts in behind the scenes, months in advance.”
Wean’s previous roles at LVEDC have been as Finance Administrator and Program Administrator.
Prior to joining LVEDC, she worked in community banking for 19 years. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Clarion University of Pennsylvania.
“When I joined LVEDC as the Finance Administrator in 2014, I never imagined how much this small group of people could accomplish. It has truly been an honor to be a part of it," Wean said.
Weighknecht joined LVEDC in 2014. In her current role as Director of Economic Development Finance, she helps Lehigh Valley businesses obtain financing. She performs underwriting and portfolio management for the various state and federal loan programs administered by LVEDC. She assists in the processing of grants for local businesses and manages the administration of iTEC.
Weighknecht manages the Lehigh Valley Economic Investment Corporation (LVEIC) and is responsible for coordinating the Lehigh Valley Lending Network.
“Jennifer helps business owners navigate complex financing programs and walks them through the process. She digs deeply into their business operations to understand their needs and what financing options fit best,” Cunningham said.
Weighknecht previously was LVEDC’s Director of Credit Risk. She joined LVEDC after 20 years in banking, having worked as a senior loan documentation specialist with Team Capital Bank and as small business lending department manager with Lafayette Ambassador Bank.
She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from Muhlenberg College.
“During my 10 years at LVEDC, I have been honored to assist many Lehigh Valley businesses with their financing needs while supporting economic development in the region,” Weighknecht said.
LVEDC is a nonprofit that was founded in 1995 by a coalition of business leaders who envisioned a regional, partnership-based approach to economic development where leaders in business, government, education, and other sectors collaborate for the benefit of the region.
With a staff of 15, LVEDC markets the economic assets of the Lehigh Valley and creates partnerships to support the recruitment, growth, and retention of employers and the creation of jobs for people of all skill and education levels. LVEDC’s Board of Directors includes C-Suite executives; presidents of colleges and universities; elected officials; and representatives from health care, banking, labor, and other sectors.