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Michelle Stephens, ACE

Michelle Stephens, ACE

ESL teacher

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location of Michelle Stephens, ACEGreater Sacramento

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  • Timeline

  • About me

    Program Director at California Association for Local Economic Development (CALED)

  • Education

    • The University of Texas at Austin

      2007 - 2009
      Master's of Science Community and Regional Planning

      Activities and Societies: Urban Land Institute Gerald D. Hines Student Urban Design Competition 2008, 2009 2008-South Dallas-Ranked Top 25 of National teams 2009-Denver-Ranked Third in the University of Texas, School of Architecture competition CRPSO Social Chair My interests during graduate school were on economic development and how it can be used to help rural and agricultural communities. As a result of these interests, I focused my thesis on Community Supported Agriculture programs in California counties and if analyzed whether they helped small-scale farmers to be more successful. I found that though they are important and help farmers achieve a better quality of life and maintain an agricultural business, they are not solely responsible… Show more My interests during graduate school were on economic development and how it can be used to help rural and agricultural communities. As a result of these interests, I focused my thesis on Community Supported Agriculture programs in California counties and if analyzed whether they helped small-scale farmers to be more successful. I found that though they are important and help farmers achieve a better quality of life and maintain an agricultural business, they are not solely responsible for increased agricultural value or activity in certain counties but were a part of a larger trend in farming and consumer choices. Show less

    • University of California, Davis

      1998 - 2000
      Bachelor of Arts English; Creative Writing

    • The University of Texas at Austin

      2007 - 2009
      Master's City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning

    • University of California, Davis

      1998 - 2000
      Bachelor's degree ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE/LETTERS

  • Experience

    • Woodland Joint Unified School District

      Jan 2002 - Aug 2007
      ESL teacher

      Teach ESL and high school diploma subjects to adults.TESOL Certificate

    • James Burchill & Associates, Inc

      Aug 2003 - Aug 2007
      Associate

      Assisted in development and implementation of energy conservation program, Ca-LEEP, in Sonoma County funded by a CPUC grant. Worked with developers to improve housing and commercial retail projects and obtain county or city approval. Attended and reported on County Supervisor, Planning Commission, and City Council meetings.

    • The University of Texas at Austin School of Architecture

      Sept 2007 - May 2008
      Graduate Research Assistant

      Assisted Professor Michael Oden with research of financial incentives offered by municipalities to encouragerelocation resulting in economic growth and development.

    • Yolo County

      Jun 2008 - Aug 2008
      Agricultural Economic Development Intern

      Researched Yolo county codes and wrote a user-friendly manual that put the codes and permit processes into plain English. Interviewed building and planning officials regarding code interpretation and widely circulated the manual for review. Interviewed a number of local agricultural business groups and individuals in order to understand ways in which the County could better serve that segment of the economy and presented policy recommendations to the Board of Supervisors informed by these interviews. Show less

    • The University of Texas at Austin School of Architecture

      Aug 2008 - Dec 2008
      Teaching Assistant, Land Use Planning Law

      Assisted Prof. Rachael Rawlins with research of current Land Use Law topics. Assisted students in understanding Land Use Planning Law. Organized and led bi-weekly study sessions for students.

    • International Economic Development Council

      Jun 2009 - Aug 2009
      Fellow

      Researched and co-wrote white paper on the impacts in cross-border mergers and acquisitions to US communities and the role of economic developers to mitigate negative effects. Researched and interviewed economic developers on entrepreneurial typologies and the role of EDOs in supporting and encouraging entrepreneurial activity around the US. Studied the varied uses of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act stimulus funds and evaluated groups which are using funding in innovative and successful ways. Researched and wrote a background report on Great Falls, MT for a project funded by a Department of Justice, Weed & Seed grant. Show less

    • CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

      Nov 2009 - now

      • Program Director

        Jul 2019 - now

      • Econ Dev Manager

        Jul 2017 - Aug 2019

      • Program Manager

        Nov 2009 - Jul 2017

    • Solano County SBDC

      Apr 2013 - Aug 2016
      Farmbudsman

      The Farmbudsman is a liaison between agricultural businesses in Solano & Yolo Counties and the local government with the goal of facilitating projects and helping to add value to agricultural endeavors.

  • Licenses & Certifications

    • Accredited California Economic Developer (ACE)

      The California Academy for Economic Development
      Oct 2020