Signals Focus - 5.19.11

FCEDC's Hicks-Sorensen accepts position with new state economic development organization

Fond du Lac County Economic Development Corporation (FCEDC) president, Brenda Hicks-Sorensen, CEcD has accepted a position with the newly formed Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) as vice president of economic and community development.

Hicks-Sorensen has been with FCEDC for nearly seven years, overseeing numerous retention and community projects in Fond du Lac County including the Mercury Marine retention project in 2009 and the financial response to the floods of 2008. She has served hundreds of clients, including existing businesses, start-up ventures and businesses interested in locating to the area. During her tenure the economic gardening program for existing businesses was started, the business accelerator – the Center for Enterprise Development - opened, the revolving loan fund program expanded, a five-year strategic plan was developed, an in-depth study of targeted industries was completed, and a new graphic identity was created. She is also often asked to speak at national conferences regarding the accomplishments in Fond du Lac County and is the president-elect of Wisconsin Economic Development Association.

“My time in Fond du Lac County has been rewarding on many levels. I will carry with me lessons learned and strive for the cooperation and collaboration already achieved here throughout the state,” Hicks-Sorensen said.

“While I will miss the friends and colleagues I have worked with so closely here, my new role provides an opportunity to help shape economic development policies in the State of Wisconsin that will benefit all businesses and communities including those in Fond du Lac County,” she said.

Hicks-Sorensen joined FCEDC in August 2004 as director of client services. She was promoted to vice president 10 months later at which time she earned a Certified Economic Developer designation. A short time later, Hicks-Sorensen was named acting president then promoted to president in June 2006.

Hicks-Sorensen and the organization were recipients of many awards during her tenure. She was named New Economic Developer of the Year by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) in September 2006 and outstanding alumni of the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh in 2010. FCEDC received an excellence award last year for the Mercury Marine retention project and was recently recognized as a high-performing economic development organization by the IEDC.

“The FCEDC Board of Directors wishes Brenda every success in her new position with the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation and wants to acknowledge her professionalism and knowledge that helped make FCEDC one of the top economic development organizations in the State,” said John Valek, chair of the Board of Directors for FCEDC.

“We now will search for the next president of FCEDC who will guide the organization, and finalize and execute the new strategic plan. Toward that end I will appoint a search committee made up of stakeholders to identify and recommend to the Board of Directors the next President of FCEDC,” Valek said.

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