Stephen McKnight

About Stephen McKnight

Stephen has more than 35 years experience in “placed-based” economic development strategies, project management and public policy. He has assisted with numerous business expansion projects resulting in millions of total investment. During his career, Stephen has worked for both private development companies and industry trade organizations in Washington, D.C. He contributed to the formation of federal transportation and economic development policy.As a co-founder of Fourth Economy Consulting, he worked with communities and industry across the country building competitive operational growth strategies. Stephen has demonstrated core competencies in site selection, budget analysis, government relations, proposal development, public/media relations, event planning, membership development, fundraising, image branding, public policy analysis, and issue driven coalition building.Specialties: Stephen has earned professional certifications in \"Entrepreneurial and Small Business Development,\"​ \"Land Use Planning for Economic Development,\"​ \"Technology-Led Economic Development,\"​ and \"Business Retention and Expansion.\"​ He conducts numerous public presentations and workshops on economic development topics each year. Stephen received the SIGMAS research award for a paper entitled \"Linking Economic Development and Workforce Diversity through Action Research.\"Stephen currently serves on the Board of Directors of Goodwill of the Southern Alleghenies and the Pennsylvania Economic Development Association. When not working, and sometimes even while he is, he can be found skiing, hiking and cycling throughout our great mountain communities.

Experience

1. President and CEO

   Altoona-Blair County Development Corp

   Apr 2016 — Present · Altoona, PA, US

   The Altoona-Blair County Development Corp.(ABCD Corp.) is a private non-profit certified economic development corporation working as a catalyst for business expansion and people attraction to Blair County, Pennsylvania and through regional partnerships along the I-99 Innovation Corridor. For over 60 years, ABCD Corp. has been dedicated to business growth and wealth creation throughout Blair County.

Education

• University of Pittsburgh

  B.A., Public Administration

  1986 — 1990

Skills

• Marketing
• Nonprofits
• Policy Analysis
• Training
• New Business Development
• Entrepreneurship
• Public Relations
• Business Strategy
• Strategy
• Public Policy
• Non-Profits
• Economic Development
• Public Administration
• Project Planning
• Proposal Writing
• Budgets
• Community Outreach
• Community Development
• Event Planning
• Strategic Planning
• Research
• Business Development
• Budget
• Fundraising
• Organizational Development
• Grants
• Event Management
• Sustainability
• Public Speaking
• Project Management
• Grant Writing
• Leadership
• Team Building
• Program Development