NEWSROOM
GFI Headlines
GreaterFindlayInc. EVP To Take North Carolina Helm
Greater Findlay Business Growth in Top 10 for 2007
GreaterFindlayInc. Announces Leadership Change
Greater Findlay Street Map Now Available Online
CCEO Names Peters Professional of the Year
Applications Now Available for HYL 2008-09 Session
Applications Now Available for HL 2008-09 Session
GFI Names Julie Brown HYL, HL Director
Russell N. Rogerson, Executive Vice President of GreaterFindlayInc. since 2001 has accepted the position of Executive Director, Mooresville-South Iredell Economic Development Corporation in Mooresville, NC effective July 1.
Rogerson, principally responsible for economic development in the Findlay-Hancock County area, announced his decision today.
“We are very grateful for the leadership and accomplishment brought by Russ to the area for the last decade,” said Douglas Peters, GFI President & CEO. “Russ has many successes to be proud of, and the community has been the beneficiary of his tireless and thoughtful work,” Peters added.
Rogerson was named Executive Vice President of the former Community Development Foundation in 2001, and served in that capacity until the CDF was fully integrated into the Findlay-Hancock County Chamber of Commerce in January 2007. Those organizations, together with the Hancock County Convention & Visitors Bureau became part of a new organization, GreaterFindlayInc. with a focus on economic development and service to its members.
Rogerson was instrumental in helping to lead and close an average of six projects a year with an average investment of $50 million. The organization also developed and implemented a high tech manufacturing acceleration center that has leveraged more than $7 million in State funds and $2 million in private investment over the past three years.
Rogerson is also credited with developing and implementing strategies for all economic development activities including industrial, commercial and retail development; retention and expansion; US Foreign Trade Zone #151; the Community Improvement Corporation; Findlay Industrial Foundation and other financing organizations in support of economic development.
During Rogerson’s tenure, Findlay and Hancock County placed consistently in the top 20 in the nation by Site Selection magazine’s ranking of Micropolitan Communities, reaching number six in the country in 2007.
Prior to joining GFI, Rogerson served the Blanchard Valley Health System after a career with Columbia Gas. Rogerson was chosen for the Mooresville post from a field of 40 candidates.
Ranked Sixth Best in U.S. for Micropolitan Communities
Economic Development by Site Selection Magazine
Findlay, Ohio ranked the sixth best micropolitan community for new and expanding facilities by Site Selection Magazine, the official publication of the Industrial Asset Management Council. The region has been placed in the magazine’s top 20 for the past ten years and jumped 11 spots from last year’s 17th placing.
The Greater Findlay area had an excellent year in 2007, with a total of 12 projects and total new capital investment of $114 million. These projects will result in the creation of 430 new jobs and the retention of nearly 3,000 jobs.
“New capital investment is critical to the long term future of our community’s companies,” said Douglas S. Peters, GreaterFindlayInc. President and CEO. “We are grateful for the efforts of our community’s business leaders and economic development teams that strive to make Greater Findlay a great place to live and work.”
An excess of $50 million was invested among the companies that expanded or reinvested in new equipment. In addition, the region welcomed several new companies to the community, including A. Schulman Company and its new polybatch processing system.
Greater Findlay’s manufacturing base continued to focus on technology intensive industries and is now home to top industry award winner, Advanced Cerametrics, Inc. (ACI).
Among the many manufacturing related projects, the region also added economic diversity with the addition of a mixed use development known as RiverPlace, a $90 million project.
One of the most important projects for the area was the investment of a new 40,000 sq. ft. facility for The RightThing, Inc. valued at $6 million.
Over the past year, Greater Findlay has shown a significant increase in job retention and growth, nearly doubling its 2006 statistics.
“The development of GreaterFindlayInc. has allowed us to streamline previous efforts and enhance our focus on economic development throughout the region,” said Randy Lohoff, GFI Chairman of the Board. “With an increase of investment projects from six to 12 and a twofold increase in new capital investment from $48 million to $114 million, GFI’s new structure has been deemed successful.”
GreaterFindlayInc. is grateful for the efforts of the facilities managers and board members that promote the Greater Findlay community within their companies. GreaterFindlayInc.’s Board of Directors include representatives from Marathon Petroleum Company, LLC, Cooper Tire and Rubber Company, Blanchard Valley Health Association and more. The board members not only contribute hundreds of hours to identifying and addressing issues important to the community, but also share their business expertise in helping Greater Findlay prepare to be globally competitive.
Over the past three years, GFI has assisted with 28 projects that created nearly 800 jobs with a total of $217 million in new capital investment. For more information, please contact GreaterFindlayInc. at
419-422-3313 or visit www.greaterfindlayinc.com.
The Board of Directors of GreaterFindlayInc.(GFI) today announced that Doug Peters, president and CEO, has accepted a position with Cumberland County Business Council (N. Carolina).
Peters has been with GreaterFindlayInc., the Findlay-Hancock County Chamber of Commerce, for the past 10 years. He has provided more than 23 years of total service to Chamber/and economic development communities. Doug recently was named the 2007 – 2008 Chamber Executive of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce Executives of Ohio.
“We are sorry that we are losing Doug’s leadership, but we wish him well in his new position in Fayetteville” said Randy K. Lohoff, GFI Chairman of the Board. “Under his guidance Greater Findlay businesses have thrived, which was recently demonstrated when the City was named #6 in the top 20 micropolitan communities in the United States by Site Selection magazine. Doug worked long and hard on the various aspects of the project that became the core of the RiverPlace development and he played an instrumental role in supporting the business community in the flood recovery process this past year.”
Peters will continue to work with GFI through mid-June and will assist with the process of selecting his replacement as well as continuing to guide the group’s agenda.
A national search will be launched to replace Peters. GreaterFindlayInc. has formed a selection committee chaired by Lohoff accompanied by Mayor Pete Sehnert, City of Findlay; Mike Mallett, President and CEO, Corporate Research International; John Haywood, Division Vice President, Whirlpool Corp. – Findlay Division; and Hancock County Commissioner Ed Ingold.
In 2007, GreaterFindlayInc. completed more than 14 economic development deals in the Greater Findlay region, totaling more than 725,000 square feet of new construction, retaining more than 3,200 jobs and creating more than 800 new jobs with a total investment of $214 million.
The new community map of Findlay, Ohio, published for GreaterFindlayInc., is now online at http://villageprofile.com/ohio/findlay/.
The map was produced in cooperation with Village Profile. In addition to printed copies available at GreaterFindlayInc. for $1, the map and all advertisements are online.
The community map is interactive, wirelessly accessible at www.vpmobile.us via Blackberrys, Treos, PDAs, smart phones, web-enabled cellphones, and most other mobile devices. It allows users to link directly to advertisers' websites, direct-dial advertisers in real time, and access the online map and advertiser directory via desktop and laptop computers at the Village Profile website.
Internet users can tour the Findlay and Hancock County area -- and 1,400 communities across the U.S., receiving over 2 million impressions monthly, on the Community Profile Network at www.villageprofile.com.
For more information, contact GreaterFindlayInc. President and CEO Doug Peters at,
419-422-3313.
For publishing program information contact Joe Nugara Sr. at Village Profile,
800-600-0134, ext. 220 or jcn@villageprofilemail.com.
CCEO NAMES PETERS PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
Douglas S. Peters, IOM, CCEO-AP, President and CEO of GreaterFindlayInc., has been awarded the Michael A. Schultz Professional of the Year Award by the Chamber of Commerce Executives of Ohio (CCEO).
Annually, the CCEO recognizes its most professional and active peers with the prestigious award. The recipients of this award are chamber executives whose performance and commitment to their industry and local communities are exceptional. The award recognizes the “best of the best” among Ohio Chamber professionals.
Serving his tenth year as President and CEO of the Findlay-Hancock County Chamber of Commerce, Peters was chosen as an award recipient for exemplifying exceptional leadership and continual commitment after conquering a year of challenges.
In Jan. 2007, Peters successfully launched GreaterFindlayInc., a partnership for growth comprised of the area’s best resources including the Findlay-Hancock County Chamber of Commerce, Community Development Foundation and the Convention and Visitors Bureau. Through the merge and branding efforts of GFI, Peters increased membership, implemented a new strategic planning commitment and installed a balanced scorecard for company performance measures.
Simultaneously, Peters managed more than $300 million in new economic development activity and led the recovery of the August Federal Flood Disaster that invaded the Greater Findlay area. Peters also successfully launched various member programs, developed business advocacy campaigns and sponsored local goodwill events.
Professional of the Year awards are presented in memory of Michael A. Schultz, CCEO-AP (1944-1999). As President/CEO of Defiance Area Chamber of Commerce 1985-1997, and President/Chairman of CCEO 1994-1995, Michael served his industry with inspiration and distinguished leadership and unselfishly supported the professional growth of his peers.
To learn more about the CCEO, log on to www.cceohio.com.
APPLICATIONS NOW AVAILABLE FOR HANCOCK YOUTH LEADERSHIP 2008-09 SESSION
Applications are now being accepted for the Hancock Youth Leadership class of 2008-2009. Hancock Youth Leadership is open to all sophomores in Hancock County and Findlay City schools who have a 3.0 or higher GPA. Applications are currently available from Hancock County guidance counselors and are also available at www.greaterfindlayinc.com. Applications should be submitted to the applicant’s high school guidance counselor no later than April 1, 2008.
Hancock Youth Leadership is an affiliated program of GreaterFindlayInc., sponsored by the Hancock Leadership Alumni Association. The Hancock Youth Leadership Program is an investment in the future of Findlay and Hancock County. Its purpose is to enhance knowledge and develop leadership skills in a select group of high school students, motivating them to become positive role models, active and committed to their civic responsibilities. Students will attend seven monthly sessions, beginning with an overnight retreat in September. Session topics include agriculture, county government, diversity, economic development, justice and law, arts and media, public safety and volunteerism. Next year’s session will begin with a two-day retreat at Camp Glen in August.
For more information, call HYL Facilitator Julie Brown at (419) 422-3313 or visit the HYL website at www.greaterfindlayinc.com under Member Involvement.
Click Here to download the HYL Application
APPLICATIONS NOW AVAILABLE FOR ‘08-09 HANCOCK LEADERSHIP CLASS
The Hancock Leadership program is now accepting applications for the 2008-2009 class.
Hancock Leadership, a program of the GreaterFindlay Foundation and sponsored by the Hancock Leadership Alumni Association, is a nine-month seminar program designed to strengthen leadership skills, broaden knowledge of the community and motivate participants to become involved in addressing community issues.
Since its beginning, more than 500 area leaders have graduated from Hancock Leadership, representing over 200 area businesses and/or service organizations.
The program is launched with a mandatory retreat on Saturday, Aug. 30. This is followed by one full-day session per month, Sept. through May. The sessions are usually held on Wed. from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at various locations throughout the county. Class members are also required to take part in a service project that requires participation outside of regular class time.
Tuition is $795. Arrangements for payment can be made with a participant’s employer and/or sponsoring organization. A limited number of scholarships are available to applicants who require financial assistance.
Contact the Julie Brown at GreaterFindlayInc. at 419-422-3313, or e-mail HCLead2@aol.com for more information. Deadline for applications is June 1.
Click here to download the HL application
GREATERFINDLAYINC. NAMES BROWN HYL, HL DIRECTOR
GreaterFindlayInc. has named Julie Brown, Hancock Leadership ‘07, as director and facilitator of the Hancock Leadership (HL) and Hancock Youth Leadership (HYL) programs.
“Julie has brought great skill and enthusiasm to the HL and HYL programs as interim director. It only makes sense to keep her on board so these programs can continue to benefit from her contributions,” said Doug Peters, GFI President and CEO.
Brown graduated Cum Laude from The Ohio State University with a bachelor of science in business administration. She currently serves as the part-time director of CHOPIN Hall and recently completed a term as a member of the Findlay City Schools Board of Education. Brown was awarded Affiliate of the Year in 2003 by the Ohio Association of Gifted Children and has dedicated her volunteer efforts to assisting low income families and local non-profit agencies.
HL and HYL are community leadership development programs for adults and high school juniors, respectively. Both programs are designed to promote civic engagement, build social capital and enhance leadership skills in those who participate to build a stronger Greater Findlay community.