MANDEVILLE, LA – The St. Tammany Economic Development Foundation (STEDF) announced the employment of a second economic development specialist.
Jake Nickens joined the STEDF team in early 2017. He implements strategies to support and retain existing businesses in St. Tammany.
“Expanding businesses created 80 percent of the new jobs represented in our completed projects over the last two years,” said Brenda Bertus, CEO of STEDF. “Jake will be integral to our continued business retention efforts, as we offer our resources to assist these economic drivers.”
Prior to STEDF, Nickens worked as an intern for an economic development agency in Mississippi, where he conducted research and engaged in marketing and business retention efforts. He also served as a data specialist for Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, where he monitored and updated budgets for every department in the hospital and projected financial expenditures.
In 2016, Nickens earned a Master of Science in Economic Development from the University of Southern Mississippi. As a graduate student, Nickens assisted the Trent Lott National Center for Excellence in Economic Development and Entrepreneurship, conducting research on trade, transportation and logistics, including economic impact analyses and regional industry overview reports.
Nickens graduated with honors with a Bachelor of Science in Finance from the University of Southern Mississippi in 2015.
STEDF leads economic development in St. Tammany Parish, attracting new businesses and employment opportunities to the area. The organization seeks to improve parish residents’ quality of life by strengthening and supporting the business climate.
