LCIC Elects Entirely Private-Sector Board
This in via e-mail from the office of Lucas County Commissioner Pete Gerken to share with readers of the blog:
LCIC Sets New Direction, Elects Entirely Private-Sector Board
Funding To Be Proposed at Commissioners’ Tuesday Meeting
Toledo, Ohio – Ready to set a new direction in the midst of this serious economic recession, the Lucas County Improvement Corporation (LCIC) yesterday elected nine new private-sector members to serve as its Board of Directors.
The LCIC, which since 2006 has served as the lead economic development agency for Lucas County, took this action based on the recommendations of a Task Force, chaired by Dan Johnson, President Emeritus of the University of Toledo.
The Board had been previously composed of 5 private sector members and 4 elected officials from throughout Lucas County.
“Northwest Ohio is in an economic emergency, and our residents deserve an economic development agency that is squarely focused on creating jobs,” said Commissioner Pete Gerken, who previously served on the Board. “I’m confident that these private-sector leaders have the talent, skill and business sense necessary to lead the LCIC at this critical time.”
According to its report, the Task Force recommended a “reformed” Board with up to nine members that would be broadly representative of the private and business sectors in Northwest Ohio. Those members who were appointed yesterday by a unanimous vote include:
· Keith Burwell, President & CEO of Toledo Community Foundation
· Joe Rideout, Partner at Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP
· Mary Jo Waldock, Special Assistant to the President for Economic Development at the University of Toledo
· Rashmi Agnihotri, Director of Corporate Strategy, The Andersons, Inc.
· Baldemar Velasquez, President of the Farm Labor Organizing Committee, AFL-CIO (FLOC)
· Gary Yunker, VP of Real Estate Development for Timberstone Group, Inc.
· Derick Gant, President of Gant Investment Advisors, Inc.
· Mark Rasmus, President of Tomahawk Development Company
· Joe Zerby, President & General Manager of the Toledo Blade
In addition to new leadership, the Task Force report also recommended a dedicated funding stream to allow the LCIC to maximize its impact in the community. In that spirit, Commissioner Pete Gerken will introduce a resolution allocating $650,000 to the LCIC for 2009.
“To truly be effective, this agency needs two things: leaders and funding,” said Gerken. “We’ve taken action to elect a new Board and now I’m calling on my colleagues to step up and provide the necessary resources so that the LCIC can continue helping put Lucas County citizens back to work.”
The resolution will be voted on Tuesday, January 27, 2009 at 9:30 a.m. in the Commissioners Chambers.
Get ready for a press release and media face time from Mr. Ben Konop, he’s going to oppose this and let the battle begin!
January 23rd, 2009 at 5:49 pmMaybe, but we’ll have to rely on the kindness of others to be able to get the press release if one is issued.
January 23rd, 2009 at 5:50 pmThis is a good thing. No incompetent government types screwing things up. This is a results oriented board.
January 23rd, 2009 at 6:01 pmI thought Ben said he was sending you press releases? He is not doing it again? I am thinking of the Katy Perry Hot and Cold song right now.
January 24th, 2009 at 2:12 pm