David A. Leezer CEcD, FM

Director of Economic Development
City of St. Charles
St. Charles, MO


David Leezer serves as the Director of Economic Development for the City of St. Charles, Missouri; a position he has held since April of 2011. The Economic Development Department is the city’s primary marketing and development arm and considered one of the most innovated organizations in the St. Louis region.

During his tenure, the city has experience over $350 million of new investment and saw marked improvement in its marketing and business outreach programs. He also created department’s first ever strategic plan and the led the city in acquiring its Accredited Economic Development Organization (AEDO) designation in 2014 and gaining reaccreditation in 2017.

Prior to coming to the city, Leezer managed economic development collaborative efforts for the St. Louis County (MO) Economic Development Council and led the efforts in gaining AEDO for the organization. He also worked as Director of Economic Development for St. Charles County (MO).

Leezer has spent his 35 year career in the economic development field and has served IEDC in moderator various programs, both in webinar format and at various annual conferences. He is also an adjunct professor for Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville teaching classes in Strategic Planning, Needs Assessment, Livability, Crisis Management, Technology for Governments & Non-Profits and Economic Development.

He achieved the status of a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) in 1992 and was awarded the designation of Fellow Member (FM) in 2014. He is currently the Chair of the IEDC Sustainability Committee and is Past Chair of its AEDO Committee.