The Chelsea Economic Development Corporation (CEDC), a nonprofit community redevelopment organization founded in 2019, announced the appointment of Alice Woods as its new president effective January 1 of this year. Ms. Woods has succeeded Elizabeth Terenik, the organization’s founding president, who stepped down at the end of 2025 to pursue another promising opportunity. CEDC partners with residents, businesses, and community organizations to expand economic growth and to improve quality of life in the Chelsea neighborhood of Atlantic City.
As president and chief operating officer, Ms. Woods provides overall leadership for the organization, guiding its daily operations and fiscal management. She reports directly to the CEDC Board of Directors and oversees a team of up to ten staff members and contractors, as well as an annual operating budget of approximately $1 million. A key focus of her role is putting the Chelsea Neighborhood 10-Year Plan (available at www.ChelseaEDC.org) into action. Ms. Woods also leads programs that support local businesses, strengthen housing and public safety, promote wellness and recreation, and expand job training and economic opportunities for residents.
As she notes, “It is an honor to step into the role of president at this pivotal moment, both for our organization and the Chelsea neighborhood. We have a strong foundation, a clear vision, and a deep commitment to inclusive growth. I look forward to working alongside our board, partners, businesses, and residents to turn shared priorities into lasting impact.”
Ms. Woods is a lifelong area resident and has brought over two decades of nonprofit leadership experience across New Jersey and Philadelphia, having served in executive roles in the human services, health care, higher education, and arts and culture sectors. A graduate of Atlantic Cape Community College and Stockton University, Alice holds certifications as a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) and from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). She is also a passionate advocate for the arts and looks forward to helping foster a more vibrant, equitable, and connected Chelsea.
“We are very excited to welcome aboard Alice Woods, a seasoned professional to continue to carry out the mission of Chelsea Economic Development Corp. We see great opportunity in the coming years to impact the lives of so many in our community – block by block!” said Chelsea EDC chairman Ken Calemmo, managing director at Cooper Levenson.
CEDC’s focus area is a 0.75 square mile area from Annapolis Avenue to Texas Avenue and from the Beach to the Bay and includes approximately 10,000 residents and 150 small businesses.
