Michele "Mike" S. Keller, CEcD, FM - Senior Associate

Mike retired from BNSF Railway in 2006 after 39+ years of service. As a railroad economic development expert, Mike worked with communities and cities in over 20 states in the US. She has helped site over $1 billion worth of capital investment in economic development related projects resulting in the creation of full time positions in excess of 32,700. Her work has also improved communities through her expertise in site location management creating infrastructure efficiencies, helping to secure public grants and fostering private investment. She has now established a consulting firm in which she works with communities on strategic and logistics planning as well as with engineering firms on their transportation related projects.

Mike is a former OU/EDI Dean and previously served as Chair, Special Projects, Project Chair, and Assistant Dean. She is currently a mentor and instructor in the CEcD Study Course. Nationally, she was a member of the Board of Directors of the International Economic Development Council again retiring in 2006 where she served as a member of the IEDC Executive Committee and Vice-Chair of the Education Committee. She previously served as Secretary-Treasurer of the former American Economic Development Council as well as Central Region Vice-Chair, Chair of the Education Committee, and Vice-Chair of the Certification Board for AEDC. She received IEDC’s Chairman’s Award for Lifetime Achievement in Economic Development in September 2005.

In addition to her work with OU/EDI, Mike is an adjunct member of the faculty at the College of Business, University of St. Thomas in Minnesota where she teaches in the Mini MBA Economic Development program.

When not involved in economic development endeavors or work, Mike together with her husband, Jim, enjoys gardening and NASCAR racing. They have one daughter, Karen.