Project Staff

Keith Moran, President

Keith formed Moran Economic Development in June 2009. Prior to the creation of Moran Economic Development, he served as the majority owner of an economic development and planning firm. Keith also is a former Account Manager for the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Keith managed negotiated and facilitated economic development and redevelopment projects throughout the State of Illinois. He participated in and conducted negotiations with real estate interests regarding State assistance in hundreds of development projects. He analyzed market feasibility, public and private financing options, project revenues and expenses, project cost, related public improvements and other variables associated with public/private development projects. He also prepared written proposals for presentation to developers, businesses, community groups, and elected officials. Finally, Keith served as a central point of contact for businesses, developers and contractors regarding site identification, development review processes and financial assistance programs.

In the areas of marketing and networking, Keith understands the business climate of Illinois having worked as a state economic development representative and former political advisor. He has a working relationship with many of the key political figures throughout the State and an understanding of how development opportunities get funded at both the state and federal levels. His work with many different economic development groups and communities has enabled him to learn what works in terms of marketing and developing a building and site location or community. Keith has played a major role in many of the new jobs created in Illinois over the last few years and the retention of businesses that threatened to close or move from our State.

Accomplishments:

Illinois Tax Increment Association Board of Directors Member (ITIA)
Local Government Advisory Board Member- Illinois Comptroller
Illinois Enterprise Zone Association Member
Illinois Development Council Member
Illinois Business Journal Rising Star in Business- 2007
Basic Economic Development Graduate
Edwardsville Township Trustee
Finance Chairman, Library Board of Trustees Edwardsville, Illinois
Certified Mediator / Certified Facilitator
Distinguished Service Award Madison County Probation 2000

Recent Speaking Engagements:

“Winning Community Support for Your TIF Project.” Illinois Tax Increment Association (ITIA) Fall Conference; Chicago, Illinois
“Business District Development Act” Southern Illinois Mayor’s Association; Mt. Vernon, Illinois
“Identifying Funding Sources in a Challenged Economy” Illinois Tax Increment Association (ITIA) Spring Conference; Fairview Heights, Illinois
"Local Government Advisory Board Tax Increment Financing Training for Municipal Members.” Granite City, Illinois
“Using Special Economic Development Financing Tools” Southern Illinois University Edwardsville – Principles & Practices of Community Economic Development
“Tax Increment Financing 101”- Illinois Tax Increment Association
“TIF Districts 101” Illinois Tax Increment Association, Spring Conference
“Business District Guide to Redevelopment”- Southwestern Illinois City Manager’s Association.
"Local Government Advisory Board Tax Increment Financing Training for Municipal Members.” Carterville, Illinois
“The “Good, Bad and the Ugly” of TIF Districts in Illinois- Economic Development Conference- Columbia, Illinois/Champaign, Illinois
"The “Use of TIF, Business Districts and Enterprise Zones to Spur Development.”- Southern Illinois Mayor’s Association/Chamber Event.
“Local Government Advisory Board Tax Increment Financing Training for Municipal Members.” Springfield, Illinois

Education:

Bachelor of Science, Illinois State University
Master of Public Administration, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Jared Kanallakan, Vice President

Jared is an Associate Planner at Moran Economic Development. Before joining the Moran Economic Development, Jared studied Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. Before graduating from UIUC, Jared served as an intern with Development and Municipal Initiatives under then-president Keith Moran. Upon completing his education he joined Moran Economic Development full-time as an Associate.

As his degree suggests, Jared’s educational background is in Planning. This background provides insight when putting together various plans for the communities Moran Economic Development works with, whether they are Economic Development Plans, Comprehensive Plans, TIF Plans, Business District Plans, etc. Additionally, through the planning program he acquired expertise in GIS mapping, which is a major role of his at Moran Economic Development. Using ArcGIS, much of his work involves handling visual information and creating maps for the firm.

Education:

Bachelor of Arts, Urban and Regional Planning, University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana
Regional Economic Development Workshop, Southwestern Illinois College
Creation/Implementation Comprehensive Planning Workshop, University of Missouri St. Louis

Jake Zambaldi, Director of Development Programs

Jake is an Associate at Moran Economic Development. He handles much of the TIF Administration and Reporting aspects of Moran Economic Development. Prior to becoming a member of the staff at MED, Jake attended the University of Missouri - Columbia, where he obtained his Bachelors of Science in Business Administration degree with an emphasis in Marketing and Management. Jake has studied multiple disciplines of business including accounting, economics, e-commerce, as well as the many aspects of marketing and business management. While attending Mizzou, Jake was a lead member of the Trulaske College of Business Marketing Team as well as a Steering Committee member for an annual University sponsored charity event.

Jake’s wide array of business based skills has allowed him to become a well-rounded tool for MED. He is able to create and analyze community profiles as well as identify and develop marketing and development opportunities. He has played a significant role in the completion of several City-based and County-based Comprehensive Plans, contributed to securing several significant state and federal grants for municipal clients, and administrates many of the firm’s ongoing relationships with communities and developers.

Education:

Bachelors of Science, Business Administration with emphasis in Marketing and Management, University of Missouri-Columbia
Regional Economic Development Workshop, Southwestern Illinois College
Creation/Implementation Comprehensive Planning Workshop, University of Missouri St. Louis

Emily Calderon

Emily is Director of Planning at Moran Economic Development. Calderon is certified with the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) and specializes in leading complex development projects and creating partnerships that serve the greater community.

With over 15 years of experience in the public sector, Calderon brings to the table a diverse skill set in comprehensive planning, community engagement, economic development, public policy and zoning. In her previous role, she served as City Planner where she led both long-range and current planning with a pragmatic approach. In 2014, Calderon received The Illinois American Planning Association’s Emerging Planner Award for her work on Imagine Belleville, a comprehensive plan in which she built consensus among disparate ideas. Calderon currently serves as a lecturer on geography and urban planning at her alma mater Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE).

Education:

Master of Science in Geography, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Bachelor of Arts, Southern Illinois University

Regional Economic Development Workshop, Southwestern Illinois College
Creation/Implementation Comprehensive Planning Workshop, University of Missouri St. Louis