Signals Focus -- May 11, 2007

FCEDC Vice President set to begin in June

Fond du Lac County Economic Development Corporation (FCEDC) president, Brenda Hicks-Sorensen, has announced that the organization’s new vice president has been selected. Christian Tscheschlok will begin employment with FCEDC in mid-June. The selection of Tscheschlok came after a thorough national search that saw many qualified candidates apply, according to Hicks-Sorensen.

"Christian comes to us with extensive economic development experience as well as a strong passion and enthusiasm for the work and mission of FCEDC,” said Hicks-Sorensen. “We feel he will be an immediate fit with our current staff and board, and we very much look forward to his arrival.”

Tscheschlok has served as the executive director of the Rock Falls Community Development Corporation since its inception in 2002. He has over ten years of rural and urban community development and redevelopment experience, national and international expertise in business recruitment and expansion, economic development, new investment generation, incentive negotiation, project management and entrepreneurship programming.

Tscheschlok possesses a Masters in Business Administration from Western Illinois University and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. 

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Entrepreneurs encouraged to begin business plans now for 2008 competition

Prizes totaling $25,000 were awarded in the 2007 Northeast Wisconsin Business Plan competition in March, but FCEDC wants to get the word out to entrepreneurs and emerging businesses that it is not too early to be thinking about next year’s competition.

“A good business plan is one that is well thought out, researched and comprehensive,” says Brenda Hicks-Sorensen, president of FCEDC. “The goal is to complete a plan that will serve as a helpful tool toward building a successful business for our clients, and to accomplish that, it often takes more than a few weeks.”

FCEDC offers complimentary services to assist entrepreneurs and emerging businesses in developing a business plan. Business plans are a critical tool in the proper planning and launch of new ventures and are the preferred mode of communication between entrepreneurs, innovators and potential investors.

Anyone wishing to get assistance with the development of their business plan is encouraged to call FCEDC at 929-2928 to set up an appointment.

Making Global Trade Easier

The Hwy 41 International Development Program is sponsoring a three-hour seminar on Wednesday, June 13th at the Hilton Garden Inn in Oshkosh. “Making Global Trade Easier” will bring in featured speakers Beng’t Reed Anderson, president of BDG International of Elgin, Ill., and Nancy Burton, vice president, international division, Associated Bank.

Anderson will highlight what services a freight forwarder can provide to a company, their core responsibilities, how to choose a freight forwarder, the cost of using a freight forwarder and more. Burton will speak on understanding INCOTERMS – a series of sales terms used internationally – and the obligations of both buyers and sellers.

The event will take place from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. and is aimed at logistics and warehouse personnel, export managers and sales coordinators, customer service managers and staff, international documentation specialists and staff and anyone who would like to learn more about these processes.

Registration is $20 which includes breakfast. To register, go to www.titletown.org or contact Fred Monique at 929-7541.

The mission of Fond du Lac County Economic Development Corporation, a county-wide private/public partnership, is to improve the economic well being of the businesses, communities, and residents of the county via business attraction activities, existing business development, entrepreneurial services, community preparedness and consultation and workforce development.