New Cook County/Grand Marais EDA director Lucas Wakefield settles into role

Lucas Wakefield recently stepped into the role of executive director of the Cook County/Grand Marais Economic Development Authority (EDA), where he has spent the past four weeks getting acquainted with the position.

“It has been a whirlwind tour of meeting fantastic people all across the county,” Wakefield said.

Wakefield officially began in the role on April 13 and attended his first EDA meeting on April 21. He said the onboarding process has been “really wonderful” and is attributed to the support of the EDA Board and the North Shore Development Company (NSDC), which has been helping the EDA oversee and manage administrative tasks. Former EDA executive director Theresa Bajda works for NSDC.

“I really appreciate her help and support and insight,” Wakefield said. “And I can say that is doubly true for my board.”

EDA Executive Director Lucas Wakefield

Wakefield previously served as the economic development director for the City of Staples. Prior to that, he served as an economic development specialist with the Headwaters Regional Development Commission, where he led the economic development authorities for Mahnomen and Lake of the Woods counties.

WTIP’s Kalli Hawkins sat down with Lucas Wakefield, the new executive director of the Cook County/Grand Marais Economic Development Authority (EDA), to learn more as he settles into the position, his professional background, first impressions of Cook County and the new position, and more. Audio of the interview is below.

Kalli Hawkins May 9, 2026