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Steven T. Wray
Executive Director
Steve Wray was named Executive Director of the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia in 2006. He reports to a board of more than 70 senior, private sector leaders from the region’s leading companies and institutions.
As Deputy Director from 1995 to 2006, he managed the Economy League's research projects and staff and was Project Director of IssuesPA, an award-winning public engagement project that combined research and analysis, the Internet, and televised events in a first-of-its-kind effort to increase coverage and attention to statewide issues. Prior to the Economy League, Wray served as Policy Director to Pennsylvania Lt. Governor Mark Singel, Associate with Jones Lang Wootton USA in New York, and Consultant to the Executive Director of the Allegheny Conference on Community Development in Pittsburgh.
In 2010, Wray was appointed Managing Director of the Pennsylvania Economy League, Inc., the corporate home of the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia. As Managing Director, he reports to a 15-person board of directors and oversees Pennsylvania statewide activities and operations.
Wray is a trustee of the Health Care Improvement Foundation and is a member of the Board and Executive Committee of the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau. Wray is a 2008 Ford Foundation Fellow of the American Chamber of Commerce Executives' Regional Sustainable Development program. In 2002, he was named to the Philadelphia Business Journal's "40 under 40" leadership list.
Wray received an MS in Public Management and Policy from Carnegie Mellon University and an AB from Duke University.
Jennifer EgmontProject Manager
Jen Egmont brings a diverse professional background to the position of Project Manager. Her experiences include leading neutral convening efforts around issues such as regional planning and public safety, overseeing research projects ranging from workplace literacy to housing affordability, and managing a direct service project aimed at increasing the economic stability of working families. Egmont holds a BA in History from Indiana University and a Master in Public Administration from Rutgers University.
Nick Frontino
Project Manager
Nick Frontino has worked on a number of issues affecting metropolitan areas in the US. His experience includes working as a social service coordinator for elderly immigrants in San Francisco, co-authoring policy and legislation promoting sustainable procurement practices for the City of Philadelphia, and contributing to a comprehensive visioning process for Philadelphia in 2040. Frontino holds a Master of City and Regional Planning from the University of Pennsylvania and an AB from the University of Chicago.
Meredith L. Garfield
Office Manager
Meredith Garfield assists the executive director and staff in all aspects of office and project operations. She is responsible for the financial management of the organization, handling all bookkeeping and audit matters. Garfield is also the Administrator for the Pennsylvania Economy League, Inc., the corporate home of the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia. Meredith brings more than 20 years of financial, customer service, and management experience to the organization. Garfield previously worked in the City Controller’s Office as Executive Assistant to the First Deputy Controller, after spending 10 years in the metal manufacturing and distribution industry.
Alison Gold
Deputy Director for Strategy & Operations
Alison Gold serves as the chief of staff and board liaison and directs the Greater Philadelphia Leadership Exchange. She is responsible for the strategy of the organization and monitors the resources needed to carry out the Economy League's work. She previously worked in Washington, DC, as the Program Manager for the Greater Washington Board of Trade's CEO leadership forum, the Potomac Conference, and as the Associate Director for Membership and Events at the American Constitution Society. A native of Chicagoland, Gold holds a BA in Anthropology from Columbia University and business and nonprofit management certificates from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth, where she was a UPS Foundation Fellow. She was a 2008 LEADERSHIP Philadelphia fellow and volunteers with WOMEN'S WAY and Girls Rock Philly.
Robert Lee Gordon, IV
Research Associate & IT Manager
Rob Gordon works in research and manages IT systems for the Economy League. Prior to moving to Philadelphia, he worked in Trenton, NJ, as the New Jersey Field Organizer for the Democratic National Committee. Gordon holds a BA in Political Science from Villanova University where he also conducted Pentagon-funded research and SAS analysis for the Base Realignment and Closure program at the Office of Economic and Manpower Analysis on the United States Military Academy in West Point, NY.
Abigail HathawayHathaway is a student in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Pennsylvania. She is majoring in Economics and Political Science and will graduate in 2012.
Robert J. Jones, Esq.
Senior Executive Fellow
Bob Jones is a former Economy League board member and is currently Of Counsel at Saul Ewing, LLP. During his 40-plus year career, Jones has served as bond counsel, underwriter's counsel, and special counsel to a variety of clients in the implementation and financing of major capital projects for public and nonprofit entities. Jones writes and speaks frequently on a wide variety of public finance topics. He is a regular discussion leader at the annual Bond Attorney Winter Workshop and frequently speaks at programs sponsored by the Government Finance Officers Association, the National and Pennsylvania Associations of Bond Lawyers, the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, and the Municipal Bond Club of Philadelphia.
Allison Kelsey
Director of Communications
Allison Kelsey manages all forms of messaging, events, and publications for the Economy League. In Philadelphia, Kelsey has been senior director of marketing and communications for University City District, account director at T2 Group LLC, and consultant to corporate and small business clients, including Advanta Corporation's sponsorship of the Salvador Dali exhibition. Prior to the move to Philadelphia, she was international sales manager at Facts On File, Inc., New York. She earned an MS from the University of Pennsylvania and a BA from Brown University. Kelsey serves on the Communications Committee of the Community Design Collaborative.
Emily Kohlhas
Ana Liss
Fels Fund Intern
Ana Liss is a student in the Master of Governmental Administration program at the University of Pennsylvania. She previously worked as a morning news anchor, reporter, and producer at WETM-TV (an NBC affiliate) in Elmira, NY. She also worked as a part-time reporter for WHAM-TV (an ABC affiliate) in her hometown of Rochester. Covering stories on economic development, emergency preparedness, and various socio-economic issues sparked her interest in working for the public sector. She completed her undergraduate degree in journalism at Ithaca College. At the Economy League, Liss is reponsible for background research and content development for the 2010 Greater Philadelphia Leadership Exchange. Her internship is made possible by the Samuel S. Fels Fund Summer Internships in Community Service grant program.
Joshua S. Sevin
Director of Projects
Josh Sevin is responsible for the development and delivery of Economy League projects. He has previously served as Manager of Knowledge Industry Initiatives for the City of Philadelphia’s Commerce Department, Project Coordinator for the Philadelphia Gaming Advisory Task Force, and Associate with Urban Partners, an economic development consulting firm based in Philadelphia. Sevin holds a Master in City Planning from MIT and a BA from Yale University.
Judith E. TschirgiSenior Executive Fellow
Judy Tschirgi brings 30 years of executive experience in financial services and telecommunications to her role as Senior Executive Fellow. She assists various project teams, advises the Executive and Deputy Directors, and acts as a sounding board for research projects. Prior to this role, she was the Chief Information Officer at SEI Investments and a member of the Economy League Board of Directors, a position she retains as Senior Executive Fellow. She is an independent business consultant and a coach for the executive coaching firm, Workplace Relationships. She chairs the Board of Trustees of Mastery Charter Schools and serves on the Board of the People’s Emergency Center.
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