Kilgore EDC Director Seitz earns advanced economic development credential

Kilgore Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Randy P. Seitz has earned the Master Economic Development Practitioner credential through the Advanced Economic Development Leadership Program. The certification adds advanced training in site selection, workforce, leadership and negotiation as KEDC pushes business growth in East Texas.

Why it matters: - Randy P. Seitz’s new credential adds advanced training to the leadership guiding Kilgore’s business attraction, retention and expansion work. - The certification supports KEDC’s effort to strengthen local growth, workforce opportunities and long-term economic development in East Texas. - The program also reinforces a broader point for the region: communities competing for investment need leaders with current skills in negotiation, workforce strategy and change management.

What happened: - Seitz earned the Master Economic Development Practitioner designation on Nov. 5 after completing the Advanced Economic Development Leadership Program. - Kilgore Economic Development Corporation announced the certification on Nov. 9, 2026. - Seitz serves as executive director of KEDC. - Seitz said that after more than 30 years in economic and community development, “you never stop learning.”

The details: - The AEDL program is a collaboration among Texas Christian University, the University of Southern Mississippi, the University of New Mexico and Valdosta State University. - The program brings together experienced economic development professionals for advanced training, discussion and practical exercises. - Admission requires at least five years of professional experience and completion of a basic economic development certificate. - The curriculum focuses on business investment competition, job creation and strengthening existing industries. - The four-day agenda covered site selection, negotiation strategies, workforce development, community metrics and media relations. - Additional sessions addressed organizational leadership, managing change and challenges tied to utilities and data centers. - Seitz’s KEDC responsibilities include business recruitment, industrial site development, retention and expansion, and support for employer growth and workforce partnerships. - Seitz previously held economic development leadership roles in Texas and Pennsylvania. - Seitz most recently served as president and CEO of the Bee Area Partnership in Bee County, Texas. - Seitz also holds an MBA from PennWest University. - KEDC Board President Alan Pollard said Seitz’s achievement shows a commitment to improving himself and the community.

Between the lines: - The credential suggests KEDC is leaning on professional development as a way to sharpen its competitiveness for projects and investment. - The emphasis on collaboration reflects a common reality in economic development: smaller communities often face the same workforce, infrastructure and recruitment pressures as larger ones. - Seitz’s training areas line up closely with the practical work KEDC does every day, which may help the organization move faster on projects and partnerships.

What's next: - KEDC said it will continue working with local industry, prospective employers and community stakeholders to encourage capital investment and create jobs. - Seitz said, “The work continues. The learning never stops,” and added that “the best is yet to come.” - KEDC’s broader focus remains business attraction, retention and expansion in Kilgore, Texas.

The bottom line: - Seitz’s new credential adds technical depth to KEDC’s leadership at a time when East Texas communities are competing harder for businesses, workers and growth.