Meet the Staff : About Us : Ponca Economic Development Corporation (PEDCO)

Judi Meyer

Judi Meyer holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She has worked in the field of economic development since 1997. She has received and successfully administered over $36.5 million in state, federal, and private foundation grant awards. Ms. Meyer has completed national professional development training in the economic development field, including International Economic Development Council (IEDC) four-year Economic Developers Institute (EDI) and is certified in grant administration at both the state and federal levels.

Ms. Meyer has been with PEDCO since April 2021. She has worked extensively with the PEDCO Board of Directors on preparation of a three year Organizational Strategic Plan. She is focusing on integrating PEDCO’s economic development efforts more fully with the Ponca Tribe’s departments and projects as well as working to provide additional services for Ponca Tribal members.

Ms. Meyer’s previous experience includes: serving as the Economic Development Director with the City of Crete from early 2017 through March 2021. During her tenure there, Ms. Meyer managed several large community projects including overseeing a $400K downtown revitalization project, administering the city’s LB840 program, and raising nearly $2 million for construction of a new public library.

From 2012 through early 2017 Judi worked at several economic development districts, assisting rural communities and counties with planning and projects. From 2009 to 2012 Ms. Meyer owned a consulting business that assisted new small nonprofits to develop and successfully operate their nonprofit and its projects and programs.

From 2001-2009, Ms. Meyer served as the Executive Director at Ho-Chunk Community Development Corporation (HCCDC), a non-profit organization located in Walthill, Nebraska. Under her direction, HCCDC grew from one staff and $50,000 annual operating budget to nine full time and four part-time staff with an average $2.1 million annual operating budget. During her tenure, Ms. Meyer developed the Ho-Chunk Village, a multi-million dollar nationally recognized mixed use subdivision, designed to encourage healthy lifestyles through pedestrian friendly access, and integrates traditional Native American concepts and cultural traditions.

Darren Osborne

Program Manager
dosborne@pedcoptac.org

As the Pedco-PTAC Program Manager, Darren guides Native American businesses to grow and prosper through the identification and attainment of government procurement contract opportunities.

“The most rewarding aspect of my work is building relationships, and helping businesses to succeed,” Darren says. “I’m incredibly fortunate to have this opportunity to make a positive difference in people’s lives.”

Darren offers more than 20 years of professional experience in the areas of government regulation, business marketing, and policy development. His educational credentials include Juris Doctor (Dalhousie University) and Bachelor of Arts (St. Mary’s University) degrees.

Darren encourages Native American business owners to contact the Pedco-PTAC and learn more about the resources and services that are available to assist in pursuing government procurement contract opportunities.

Sheila Kreason

Procurement Specialist
skreason@pedcoptac.org

Sheila leverages more than 20-years of entrepreneurial consulting experience and public speaking spanning sectors in commercial, institutional, and government contract management — to support businesses seeking to grow their government opportunities. Her expertise includes agri-business, manufacturing, R&D, technologies, feasibility analysis, financial pro forma development, and data driven strategic planning.

In her role as a Defense Logistics Agency Procurement Technical Assistance Counselor since 2013, Sheila provides technical support with specialization in Department of Defense and Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR/DFAR) for government contracting procedures, policies, proposals, strategies, and market research. Her current position with the Native PEDCO PTAC serves individually owned Native entities, Tribal-owned entities, and their teaming relationships. Both large and small businesses look to her technical guidance in data analytics, teaming and joint ventures, proposal preparation, and post-award compliance. The PEDCO PTAC program also supports contractors with state, local, and institutional purchasing platforms. Sheila’s end goal with every client is to strategically build their contract revenue, while strengthening the national industrial base. Sheila and her team have supported up to $380M in contract activity within a 12-month period.

Sheila received her bachelor’s in business management from Northwood University and post-graduate coursework in accounting for CPA. She also acquired the George Washington University School of Business Master Certification in Commercial Contract Management, and holds the National Contract Management Association certification as a Certified Federal Contract Manager. She presently continues government coursework in the Defense Acquisition University. Sheila also holds the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers CQM certification. Her recognition includes the iChange Nations Women’s Leadership and Ambassadorship in 2015.

Sheila is a member of the Association of Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (APTAC), the National Contract Management Association (NCMA), and the National Defense Industry Association (NDIA).

In her spare time, Sheila is an outdoor enthusiast and loves agriculture; enjoying the wide variety of natural and recreational resources available in the Great Lakes and across the United States.

Larry Loucks

Workforce Development Coordinator
lloucks@pedco-ne.org

PEDCO

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