July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
JCDC picks new leader (09/12/07)
Jay County Development Corporation
By By MIKE SNYDER-
A time typically dedicated to reviewing events of the past year was also spent meeting the new point man for economic development in Jay County.
Bill Bradley, a veteran economic developer in several northern Indiana counties - including Adams County - over the past 15-plus years, was approved Tuesday as executive director of Jay County Development Corporation.
Bradley, who is currently director of the Economic Development Corporation of Elkhart County, will begin work in Jay County Oct. 1.
He was unanimously approved as the new JCDC director Tuesday during the group's annual meeting at the Community Resource Center in Portland.
The third director since JCDC was created in the early 1980s, Bradley follows Bob Quadrozzi, who died May 31 from an aortic tear. Quadrozzi had battled cancer since November 2006.
"I know the quality of people you've had in this position and I had a high regard for Bob (Quadrozzi)," Bradley said during brief remarks to board members and guests Tuesday. "It's rare to have an organization like this that's been around 22 years to have had two executive directors ... you have a reputation for playing in the sandbox together.
"I'm here to have fun. We're here to make things happen. Thank you for the honor. Thank you for the confidence," Bradley said.
Bradley, who grew up in Fort Wayne, has led development efforts in Elkhart County since November 2001. He also served in economic development positions in Wabash County, Cass County, and Adams County (April 1989 to December 1991).
He earned his bachelor's degree from Purdue University and a master's degree from Ball State University.
Outgoing JCDC board president Pat Bennett, who praised JCDC staff and the executive committee for efforts during Quadrozzi's illness and since his death, said a look back at the past year brings "mixed feelings. We are saddened by the illness and death of Bob. But we also look back with pride at some of the accomplishments."
Quadrozzi died after falling ill while driving on Ind. 28 near Ind. 67 between Muncie and Albany. His JCDC sport utility vehicle crashed into a semi-trailer at Indiana Novelty Co.
Some of the major highlights in terms of economic development over the past year, said Bennett, were construction of the POET Biorefining - Portland plant, a major expansion at Mars Pet Care, a Holiday Inn Express project, and continued low unemployment as compared to other counties in the region.
"It's a result of a total community effort ... it is everyone who is involved with Jay County Development," said Bennett, the president of Portland Forge. It was his final meeting as president of JCDC.
He will turn over presidential duties to Jay County Hospital CEO Joe Johnston. Rex Journay of MainSource Bank was selected as the group's vice president Tuesday, while Rosalie Clamme and Lee Bone were re-elected to terms as JCDC treasurer and secretary, respectively.
Re-elected to three-year terms as board members were Ramon Loucks, Tim Long, Lee Bone, Jack Moore, Chuck Huffman, Milo Miller Jr., Jon Glassford, Dennis Shepherd, Journay and Johnston.
Also part of Tuesday's annual meeting was a report from Jay County Community Development Ami Huffman, who admitted that the past year has at times been "a bumpy road."
"Bob left some big shoes to fill, but we're excited to have Bill on board," she said.
Huffman, who was praised by Bennett and others for her work in an economic development role in Quadrozzi's absence, highlighted several community development projects that are completed or ongoing - including formation of a countywide chamber of commerce, major grants awarded or pending for the Salamonia Community Center, Dunkirk Fire/EMS base, and Redkey water system.
She touched briefly on the Salamonia project, which has been the source of some controversy. Members of the Salamonia Town Council hired an attorney to help mediate several issues connected to the rehabilitation of the former school into a community center.
The center is not open, but "we hope to have it open soon," Huffman said.
Huffman also said that she continues to provide assistance on several other projects, including the possible construction of one or more wind farms in southern Jay County.[[In-content Ad]]
Bill Bradley, a veteran economic developer in several northern Indiana counties - including Adams County - over the past 15-plus years, was approved Tuesday as executive director of Jay County Development Corporation.
Bradley, who is currently director of the Economic Development Corporation of Elkhart County, will begin work in Jay County Oct. 1.
He was unanimously approved as the new JCDC director Tuesday during the group's annual meeting at the Community Resource Center in Portland.
The third director since JCDC was created in the early 1980s, Bradley follows Bob Quadrozzi, who died May 31 from an aortic tear. Quadrozzi had battled cancer since November 2006.
"I know the quality of people you've had in this position and I had a high regard for Bob (Quadrozzi)," Bradley said during brief remarks to board members and guests Tuesday. "It's rare to have an organization like this that's been around 22 years to have had two executive directors ... you have a reputation for playing in the sandbox together.
"I'm here to have fun. We're here to make things happen. Thank you for the honor. Thank you for the confidence," Bradley said.
Bradley, who grew up in Fort Wayne, has led development efforts in Elkhart County since November 2001. He also served in economic development positions in Wabash County, Cass County, and Adams County (April 1989 to December 1991).
He earned his bachelor's degree from Purdue University and a master's degree from Ball State University.
Outgoing JCDC board president Pat Bennett, who praised JCDC staff and the executive committee for efforts during Quadrozzi's illness and since his death, said a look back at the past year brings "mixed feelings. We are saddened by the illness and death of Bob. But we also look back with pride at some of the accomplishments."
Quadrozzi died after falling ill while driving on Ind. 28 near Ind. 67 between Muncie and Albany. His JCDC sport utility vehicle crashed into a semi-trailer at Indiana Novelty Co.
Some of the major highlights in terms of economic development over the past year, said Bennett, were construction of the POET Biorefining - Portland plant, a major expansion at Mars Pet Care, a Holiday Inn Express project, and continued low unemployment as compared to other counties in the region.
"It's a result of a total community effort ... it is everyone who is involved with Jay County Development," said Bennett, the president of Portland Forge. It was his final meeting as president of JCDC.
He will turn over presidential duties to Jay County Hospital CEO Joe Johnston. Rex Journay of MainSource Bank was selected as the group's vice president Tuesday, while Rosalie Clamme and Lee Bone were re-elected to terms as JCDC treasurer and secretary, respectively.
Re-elected to three-year terms as board members were Ramon Loucks, Tim Long, Lee Bone, Jack Moore, Chuck Huffman, Milo Miller Jr., Jon Glassford, Dennis Shepherd, Journay and Johnston.
Also part of Tuesday's annual meeting was a report from Jay County Community Development Ami Huffman, who admitted that the past year has at times been "a bumpy road."
"Bob left some big shoes to fill, but we're excited to have Bill on board," she said.
Huffman, who was praised by Bennett and others for her work in an economic development role in Quadrozzi's absence, highlighted several community development projects that are completed or ongoing - including formation of a countywide chamber of commerce, major grants awarded or pending for the Salamonia Community Center, Dunkirk Fire/EMS base, and Redkey water system.
She touched briefly on the Salamonia project, which has been the source of some controversy. Members of the Salamonia Town Council hired an attorney to help mediate several issues connected to the rehabilitation of the former school into a community center.
The center is not open, but "we hope to have it open soon," Huffman said.
Huffman also said that she continues to provide assistance on several other projects, including the possible construction of one or more wind farms in southern Jay County.[[In-content Ad]]
Top Stories
9/11 NEVER FORGET Mobile Exhibit
Chartwells marketing
September 17, 2024 7:36 a.m.
Events
250 X 250 AD