Who We Are

LEAPartners is an economic development consultancy specializing in the design and development of community economies. The company engages in four general areas of activity: economic architecture, master-planning and project management, innovation work and thought Leadership.

Economic Architecture — LEAPartners uses its proprietary strategic planning process to counsel and advise community leaders through an analysis of their economic and demographic predicament, assessment of needs, selection of target economic sectors, planning and execution. LEAPartners’ approach requires the community’s leadership to personally direct the research, design, writing and management of the strategic planning process.

Master-planning and Project Management — LEAPartners works with developers, principals and communities to help plan, structure and complete transformational economic development projects. This includes masterplanning, entitlement work, marketing, deal structuring, and project management for individual development projects and site selection. LEAP also works with master planned community developers who want to establish their own in-house economic development operations.

Innovation Work — LEAPartners works with communities and entrepreneurs to help pioneer new economic development and workforce development program approaches.

Thought Leadership — LEAPartners provide insight and perspective on new challenges and solutions facing community leaders trying to manage their local economies. The company writes books, articles and program guidelines as well as performing conference keynote addresses, conducting break out sessions, workshops and seminars on a range of topics.

Leadership

Mark Lautman — President
Mark Lautman, CEcD, CRE, has been a practicing economic developer for nearly three decades. His consultancy, Lautman Economic Architecture Partners, works with states, communities and real estate firms to design and develop new economies.
Jeff Spiegel — Partner
Jeff Spiegel is a founding partner in Lautman Economic Architecture Partners. Spiegel spent nearly 35 years in New York, where he started a health care consulting firm, APM, Inc.; an Internet marketing firm, The Sidecast Network; and 11 restaurants that he planned, financed, developed and operated for his own account.
William Knauf — Adviser
William Knauf is the co-founder of Advanced Insights Group, Inc., providing consultant services to state, federal and private-sector clients. Knauf served as deputy director and chief of staff for Sandia National Laboratories’ national security programs from 1994 to 2005.