Hicks-Sorensen Receives International Award Acknowledging Brenda Hicks-Sorensen, President of FCEDC, for her exceptional achievements as a new force in the world of economic development, the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) this week presented its 2006 Outstanding New Economic Developer of the Year Award to Ms. Hicks-Sorensen at their Annual Conference in New York City.
"The Outstanding New Developer” Award honors an individual who has attained exceptional achievement in the first five years of his or her economic development career, and Brenda Hicks-Sorensen has demonstrated just such remarkable accomplishments since her entrée into the business of economic development," said Joseph A. Marinucci, IEDC chairman.
Ms. Hicks-Sorensen has accumulated a long list of accomplishments since beginning her economic development career in July of 2001. Her high energy level, ability to focus on goals and achieve results is known throughout the State of Wisconsin. While working as Economic Development Coordinator for Washington County, Wisconsin, Ms. Hicks-Sorensen developed the Tri-County Industry Clusters; this collaborative initiative served as a model statewide. In September of 2004, Ms. Hicks-Sorensen joined the staff of FCEDC, and in June of 2005, she was named Vice President. In June of 2006, following a comprehensive national search, she was named President of FCEDC. Since Ms. Hicks-Sorensen took the reins at FCEDC as Acting President in August of 2005, the organization has assisted companies in Fond du Lac County receive $9.84 million in awards, leveraging private investment of over $35.2 million. These projects created 728 full-time jobs and 40 part-time jobs and helped retain 775 jobs.
In April of this year, Ms. Hicks-Sorensen utilized her personal vacation time to volunteer in Hurricane Katrina-ravaged Hancock County, Mississippi as part of the IEDC Economic Recovery Effort. On top of her outstanding professional achievements, Ms. Hicks-Sorensen’s volunteer outreach clearly exemplifies her dedication to economic development and her continued enthusiasm to not only develop her own abilities as an economic development professional, but to use her expertise to improve the lives of others.
IEDC is located in Washington, DC. Its mission is to provide leadership and excellence in economic development for communities, members and partners. IEDC’s economic development awards annually recognize excellence in the economic development profession.
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FCEDC has been recognized by the International Economic Develoment Council for its new website.
"From localized community projects to large-scale endeavors, activities for the advancement of economic development have an enormous impact on the shoring up of the nation's economy," said Joseph A. Marinucci, IEDC chairman. "The acknowledgement serves as a most respectful 'hats off' to economic development organizations like the Fond du Lac County Economic Development Corporation for leading the charge."
Competing in the category of General Purpose Website by organizations serving areas with populations between 50,000 and 200,000, FCEDC was a clear standout, according to IEDC. In January of 2006 FCEDC launched its updated website with sophisticated graphics, and a well-crafted and thorough approach to meeting the needs of its target audience. The site is user-driven, demonstrating a clear understanding of the audience it serves and delivering a breadth and depth of relevant and articulate information through a visually appealing and refreshingly navigable user-interface. Set apart by both the substance and presentation of its content, www.fcedc.com is a fine example of effective use of the web as a tool for promoting local economies, the IEDC said in a press release about the award.
FCEDC partnered with BrownBoots Interactive of Fond du Lac to establish the graphic design, look and feel of the site. BrownBoots also provided the content management system used to create and update the site. FCEDC staff designed the navigation of the site and populated the site with its own copy, information and download-able documents. The site is maintained and updated by FCEDC staff.
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FCEDC New Strategic Plan AvailableFCEDC completed a comprehensive strategic analysis process in early 2006 which sought input from a variety of our stakeholders. The five-year strategic plan (2007 to 2011) was developed out of this process. A draft of the plan was revewied by FCEDC board members, stakeholders and organizational partners.
The final version of the plan was approved by the FCEDC board this week. The plan will now serve as a living plan for all FCEDC activities. You can download a copy of this document by clicking this link. spacer
Vice President Joining StaffFCEDC has announced that Pamela Schallhorn will be joining the organization as Vice President. Ms. Schallhorn emerged from a large group of very qualified candidates derived from a national search.
Ms. Schallhorn has over 20 years of commercial lending and financial risk management experience in addition to community and economic development experience. She holds a Masters of Arts in Political Studies with an emphasis in International Relations and Development Economics and a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Finance with a minor in Economics.
Her experience includes being Special Projects Manager in the Business Development and Business Finance Division for the State of Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. She also previously held the position of Vice President of Commercial Lending at Citizens First National Bank in Princeton, Illinois.
Ms. Schallhorn is currently relocating from Springfield, Illinois, and will begin employment with FCEDC in mid-October.
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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. |
Accredited Economic Development Organization
