The Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation has announced the hiring of two key directors as a final component of the organization’s restructuring and workforce reassignments.

Dawn Ferrante: LVEDC’s Director of Regional Competitiveness

Dawn Ferrante has been named director of regional competitiveness. In her duties she will coordinate business retention and expansion activities in our region, identifying opportunities for growth within industries that have clustered throughout the Lehigh Valley, and addressing the challenges those and other companies face.

The Palmerton resident will work in tandem with LVEDC’s partners in Lehigh and Northampton counties and meet directly with business leaders to assist with their retention and expansion efforts.

Ferrante, who previously served as executive director of the Carbon County Chamber and Economic Development Corporation, is a graduate of San Francisco State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Broadcast Communication Arts. In her new position she’ll report to Jarrett Witt, vice president of economic development.

Michael Keller, meanwhile, has accepted the newly created position of director of external affairs. His duties include coordinating efforts with LVEDC’s external partners in the public sector to advance the organization’s mission of enhancing economic prosperity.

The Bethlehem resident will also be responsible for managing activities and events for LVEDC’s councils and committees. Keller reports directly to LVEDC CEO and President Don Cunningham.

Mike Keller: LVEDC’s new Director of External Affairs

Prior to his position with LVEDC, Keller served as director of media communications and technology, and as administrator of government affairs for the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce. Keller graduated from Bloomsburg University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communications and Public Relations.

“Both Dawn and Michael have proven track records in their respective areas of expertise,” said Cunningham. “Their understanding of the needs of the business community will help LVEDC advance its core missions of promoting economic development and of marketing the Lehigh Valley – functions that result in job creation and growth.”

The hires complete the restructuring that Cunningham spurred in February 2013 when he hired Matthew Tuerk and John McGran as director of data & research and vice president of marketing, respectively. Cunningham promoted Tuerk to vice president of administration and investor relations and Witt to vice president of economic development this past August.

In October, Sarah Lewis and Katie Lynch accepted positions as director of data & research and director of economic development, respectively.

“This is the staff I believe can enable LVEDC to promote the region locally and nationally and help us attract, retain and expand businesses,” Cunningham said. “LVEDC will continue to lead our public- and private-sector partners to advance the region’s successful economic development attraction and retention efforts.”