By Howard Packowitz
BLOOMINGTON – A consultant who’s very familiar with the community is coordinating the search for the next President and Chief Executive Officer of the Bloomington-Normal Economic Development Council.
Applicants are being asked to send their resumes, cover letters, and references to former Normal City Manager Mark Peterson, who is now Vice President of Northbrook-based GovHR USA.
Peterson retired last year after 20 years as city manager. He’s now working for the company that conducted job searches leading to the hiring of Peterson’s replacement, current Normal City Manager Pamela Reece, and Bloomington City Manager Tim Gleason.
In his new job, Peterson is acting as a recruiter to fill the job which has been held on an interim basis by Mike O’Grady. Former CEO Kyle Ham took a job in the private sector last year.
The job posting lists a starting annual salary range of $180,000 to $200,000 with what’s described as an “outstanding fringe benefit package.”
The job notice said the ideal candidate needs to have a healthy mix of private and public sector experience and be well-versed in all areas of community economic development.
The next EDC head must be a transformational leader with exceptional public speaking and interpersonal skills, have shown a proven ability to build community consensus, have an entrepreneurial spirit, tends to reject the status quo, and looks for creative ways to “push the envelope.”
The EDC’s Board of Directors will interview finalists and choose the next CEO.
The job posting can be found here.
The application deadline is April 19.
Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]
