Jason Passmore joined CEDA in 2010 working with Howard County Business & Tourism as its Executive Director. Prior to joining CEDA, Jason managed economic development organizations, community development offices and worked in the fields of project management & engineering, association management and city administration & zoning. Jason brings a vast array of knowledge within the economic development field in working with State and Federal agencies, City and County government and various regional partnerships. Jason’s expertise serve Howard County Business & Tourism well as the organization collaborates and unites together the county-wide Economic Development Commission, the Cresco Area Chamber of Commerce, the Cresco Industrial Development Commission and the County Tourism department.

Jason is originally from the Madison, WI area and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil & Environmental Engineering from the University of Iowa.

Spiff Slifka joined CEDA in 2010 working with Howard County Business & Tourism as the Development Coordinator and Howard County Tourism Director. Before joining CEDA, Spiff worked with Howard County Economic Development starting in 2008. Prior to her work in economic development, Spiff was a manager and marketing specialist in the retail sector. Spiff has worked on many economic development projects such as Enterprise Zone, the Job and Mobility Institute (a national organization) as well as with new and existing businesses. Along with economic development, Spiff is an ardent proponent of tourism on a local and regional level through her affiliation with the Northeast Iowa Tourism Association and the Eastern Iowa Tourism Association.

Spiff is originally from Bottineau, North Dakota, and holds a Liberal Arts degree from North Dakota State University-Bottineau Branch and has continued her education at North Dakota State University-Fargo and San Diego State University.