Alliance
Completes 3 Years, Moves Forward In 2012
KOKOMO, Ind. -
The Greater Kokomo Economic Development Alliance, the comprehensive economic
development organization serving Kokomo and Howard County Indiana, completed a
successful 3 years as a new model organization. Formed officially in January of
2009, The Alliance was formed to bring local organizations that impact economic
development together in an effective and efficient strategy. The Board of
Directors, made up of key leaders from local industry, education, small
business and government, leads initiatives and programs to grow and attract
capital investment and jobs to the community.
Since its existence, The
Alliance led over 80 strategies, programs and initiatives annually, all having
an impact on positioning the community as a great place to work, live, play and
start, grow or locate a business. Once dubbed one of the most dying
communities in America by Forbes Magazine, the leaders of the community formed
The Alliance to focus and collaborate on strategies that positively impact
economic vitality. These efforts contributed to the community being awarded the
Indiana State Chamber of Commerce Community of the Year in November of
2011.
The Alliance Board of
Directors elected officers, Board members and Council chairs to lead the
continued success for 2012.
Board Chair - Laura
Sheets, North District Manager - Duke Energy
Vice Chair - Steve
Hartwig, Plant Manager - GM Components Holdings, LLC Kokomo Operations
Treasurer - Paige
Shockley, VP-Finance - Solidarity Community Federal Credit Union
Secretary - Paul Wyman,
President- The Wyman Group
"The work ahead of
The Alliance is great. Not dying is not the same as growing",
new Alliance Board Chair Laura Sheets stated. "I am honored to lead
this innovative group that has and will have a great impact on our
community."
In addition 2012 Board
Officers, Kathy Young, CEO of St. Joseph's Hospital will serve on the Alliance
Executive Committee with continuing leaders Kokomo Mayor Greg Goodnight and
Regional Ivy Tech Chancellor and Past Board Chair Steve Daily.
Ted Merrell, Owner -Merrell
Brothers, will serve on the Board of Directors as an Agri-Business
representative, and Kokomo-Center Consolidated School Corporation
Superintendent, Jeff Hauswald, will serve as the K-12 representative on the
Board of Directors.
The Alliance includes the
Councils of the Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Association, Convention &
Visitors Bureau, Inventrek Technology Park, Urban Enterprise Association and
serves as the local economic development organization (LEDO) for Kokomo and
Howard County Indiana. New Alliance Councils leadership for 2012 is:
Paige Shockley, VP-Finance
- Solidarity Community Federal Credit Union, will Chair the Greater Kokomo
Chamber of Commerce Council and serve on the Alliance Board and Board
Treasurer.
Laurie Peters, Assistant
Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs - Ivy Tech Kokomo, will Chair the Greater
Kokomo Downtown Association Council.
Those continuing to lead
Councils in 2012 are:
Debbie Cook, Director of
Development - City of Kokomo, will Chair the Economic Development Council.
Jerry Santen-Community
Planner, Department of Development - City of Kokomo, will Chair the Urban
Enterprise Association.
Bob Hingst, President -
Mid America Beverage, will Chair the Inventrek Council.
Greater Kokomo, Align,
Build, Create.