Lecturers at the Jefferson Educational Society

An innovator in the field of regional economic development, Perry Wood has successfully revived three stagnate organizations through social, environmental, and economic impact modeling. He has served as executive director of the Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority (ECGRA) since April 2011 transforming the organization into a community development grantmaker and impact investor.  An accomplished fundraiser, facilitator, and researcher, Perry is the co-founder of the Ignite Erie™ entrepreneur and small business accelerator network, the City of Corry Neighborhood Renewal initiative, the Mission Main Street association, and Erie County’s Summer Jobs and More Program.  Mr. Wood has been named to the Brookings Institute Metropolitan Leadership Council, Edinboro University President Advisory Council, Senator Sean Wiley Advisory Committee on Economy & Business Development, and the Manchester Bidwell Steering Committee. He also serves as an advisor to the Erie Vital Signs project, The Erie Community Foundation Fund Drives  Grant Committee, Perry 200 Commission, Destination Erie Consortium Leadership Team, and The Erie Community Foundation Helping Today Grants Panel.   Mr. Wood has been recognized as a Top 40 Under 40 leader shaping Erie’s future and is a Generation-E Leadership Award recipient. He holds a master's degree in organizational leadership from Mercyhurst University.  Mr. Wood and his wife, Carlee, are raising two children in Millcreek Township.