KEDA Board & Staff
Board of Directors
Executive Committe
Andrew Lahti
VICE CHAIR
President,
Andrew Lahti Contracting
Brian Baccus
CHAIR
President,
Peninsula Powder Coating
Jerry Wuorenmaa
TREASURER
Executive Director,
Western Upper Peninsula Planning & Development Region
Board of Directors
Full Board
Brad Barnett
Executive Director,
Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce - Keweenaw CVB
David Rowe
CEO,
MTEC SmartZone
Dean Woodbeck
City Council,
City of Hancock
Ryan Heinonen
CEO,
UP Health System – Portage
Jeff Ratcliffe
Executive Director,
KEDA
Kevin Codere
President,
Peninsula Copper Industries
Mike LaMotte
Commissioner,
Keweenaw County & Fitzgerald's Hotel and Restaurant
Debbie Stouffer
President,
Baraga County Chamber of Commerce
Tom Tikkanen
Commissioner,
Houghton County & Superior Properties
Ian Repp
AVP University Marketing & Communications,
Michigan Technological University
David Paananen
Account Executive,
Upper Peninsula Power Co.
Tim Gasperich
Supervisor,
Charter Township of Calumet
Eric Waara
City Manager,
City of Houghton
Melanee Tiura
CAO,
Aspirus Keweenaw Hospital
Debbie Stouffer
President,
Baraga County Chamber of Commerce
KEDA Staff
Jeff Ratcliffe
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Jeff has a wide range of community and economic development experience. Over his 25 year economic development career in small rural communities he has worked with manufacturers and commercial businesses to identify financing and operational problems, obtain expansion financing and address management issues; worked with manufacturers and commercial businesses to solve employee screening, training, infrastructure and regulatory issues; worked with identified prospects to provide custom site location information package incentives and numerous business locations resulting in new jobs and millions of dollars in new investment; identified, packaged and managed infrastructure development to serve business expansions and locations; counseled start up and existing businesses, reviewed business plans, facilitated strategic planning, provided ongoing financial review and packaged loans for bank and EDC-managed revolving loan fund financing.
Nikki Madisen
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Nikki serves as the Administrative Assistant for the Keweenaw Economic Development Alliance, bringing extensive experience in nonprofit administration, event coordination, and organizational operations. In her role at KEDA, she provides essential office support and manages grant reporting, financial tracking, and administrative systems that support the organization’s programs and strategic initiatives.
Prior to joining KEDA, Nikki worked for several years in nonprofit administration, where she gained hands-on experience with day-to-day organizational operations, grant development and reporting, and 501(c)(3) financial management. She also spent ten years as an educator, experience that strengthened her skills in communication, organization, and collaboration. Together, these experiences inform her detail-oriented and systems-focused approach to supporting KEDA’s economic and community development work.
We're Hiring!
BUSINESS RETENTION & OUTREACH SPECIALIST
KEDA is seeking a Business Retention & Outreach Specialist to help support the businesses that drive the Keweenaw’s economy. This role focuses on building strong relationships with local employers—listening to their needs, connecting them to resources and partners, and helping them navigate opportunities for growth. The Specialist serves as a key point of contact between businesses, KEDA, and regional partners, while also representing KEDA at community events and throughout the Keweenaw. It’s a hands-on, people-focused position for someone who enjoys being out in the community and making a meaningful impact on local businesses.
Apply here: Indeed Post