Albion Economic Development Corporation
Bruce Nelson, Interim Director
Bruce Nelson has served as the AEDC Board Treasurer for many years and has recently stepped into the role of Interim Director.
He is a graduate of Albion High School. He has served as president of the Albion High School Alumni Association, instructor and vice-president for Albion Area Lifelong Learners, was a former college English teacher, and was previously a marketing director at a Fortune 500 company.
Margaret Avery, MPA, Grant Writer & Project Analyst
Margaret Avery, MPA, was raised in the Albion/Homer area and returned to the area to serve as AEDC’s Grant Writer & Project Analyst in June 2024.
Prior to joining the organization, Margaret worked in a variety of fields including managing both statewide political campaigns and nonprofit advocacy programs. With experience as an advocate for the community in multiple facets, Margaret’s passion lies within working to eliminate systemic injustices by improving the social, political, and economic landscape one day at a time.
Margaret attended Kellogg Community College and Grand Valley State University and has earned a bachelor’s degree in political science, women, gender, and sexuality and a Master of Public Administration in public policy analysis, advocacy, and evaluation.
Jennifer Swanson, Executive Assistant/Board Liaison
Jennifer “Jenny” Swanson was born and raised in Albion before moving to Jackson in 2001.
Jenny has a passion for and background in serving the public and helping her community become familiar with Michigan laws and problem solving. Prior to joining AEDC in 2024, she worked for the State of Michigan as a legal secretary and the 12th District Court as Deputy County Clerk.
Outside of work, Jenny loves to be with her family and friends, take motorcycle rides with her husband, and cook for her family. She is also a proud mom of a University of Alabama student – Roll Tide!
Camila Tapia, Albion College AmeriCorps Intern
Camila Tapia joined AEDC in the Public Health AmeriCorps Member position in September 2024.
The AmeriCorps member and Albion College student plans to graduate in the spring of 2026 with a degree in economics with a minor in data analytics. Additionally, she is a student leader of two Albion College organizations with the initiative to improve student activities and encourage campus involvement.
Camila’s passion for fostering economic growth for underserved communities stems from her extensive understanding of income inequality and economic segregation. She has always been an advocate for marginalized communities and takes time to research public policies and strategies that will strengthen communities.
At AEDC, Camila executes grants from the CHILL Program which provides homeowners with the means to repair and insure their homes. Through her work as an AmeriCorps member, she hopes to gain a meaningful experience by connecting with community members.
Being involved in community service is of high importance to Camila and revolves around her personal goals to help create healthy environments to unite communities.
She enjoys volunteering in her hometown of Katy,Texas, and now in Albion.
Tim Kurtz, Housing Solutions Advocate
Tim Kurtz serves as the AEDC’s Housing Solutions Advocate and primarily focuses on addressing homelessness. He joined the organization in September 2024.
He is a lifelong resident of Albion where he has served as a Senior Pastor for over 30 years.
Kurtz brings an extensive amount of philanthropic work and community service to his service of the greater Albion community. In 1984, he founded The Walk for Warmth, a statewide fundraiser now hosted annually by Community Action Agencies across Michigan. In the 40 years since its inception, this initiative has raised over $1 million to assist families with heating costs, providing a lifeline for countless residents through the harsh winters.
He also founded the Jackson Affordable Housing Corporation, which provides home ownership training and loans to low-and moderate-income families.
While at Region II Community Action Agency, he developed Project HOME which brought together local and state government, nonprofits, and building trades to acquire and rehab homes for sale to low- and moderate-income families.
He and his wife of 51 years have two children, seven grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.
Amber Kidder, Grants & Program Administrator
Amber Kidder joined the AEDC in October 2024 as the Grants & Program Administrator.
She was raised in Litchfield, and graduated from Trine University with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and forensic psychology.
Kidder is also a qualified intellectual disability professional (QIDP) and children's mental health professional (CMHP) who previously served as a juvenile probation officer, community outreach specialist and coordinator, and children's case manager for the Branch County Mental Health Authority.
She has experience working with individuals and communities to advocate for and address unmet needs through applied behavior analysis, community relations, and event coordination.
In her free time, Kidder serves as a volunteer firefighter, and enjoys spending time with her dogs and being outside year-round, especially hiking and snowmobiling.