Tscheschlok to head Economic Development in Washington County

10/27/2009

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Following a four-month search, Economic Development/Washington County (EDWC) has a new executive director.

Christian G. Tscheschlok, a certified economic developer with more than 13 years experience, will take over the job Dec. 7, said Doreen Buntrock, EDWC president.
The EDWC is a county-wide publicprivate partnership supporting economic development in Washington County.

From Fond du Lac, Tscheschlok (pronounced Shesh-lok) was selected following “a competitive search that saw numerous highly qualified candidates apply,” Buntrock said.
Tscheschlok has been vice president of the Fond du Lac County Economic Development Corp. since June 2007, where he provided direct consulting services for business and community projects. He said he felt his background was a good match for the EDWC.

At the FDLCEDC, he worked with President Brenda Hicks-Sorensen, who formerly was the economic development coordinator for Washington County before that county division was converted into the private public EDWC.

“I am very excited about this opportunity with the EDWC,” Tscheschlok said of his new job. “There is no doubt in my mind there is a lot to work with in Washington County. ... It really is a very unique opportunity.”

“He was highly recommended by his peers,” Buntrock said. “I just think he’ll be a great addition to Washington County. He’ll bring a lot of resources to the county.”
Buntrock, from Hartford, is a business development officer for Westbury Bank and is in her second term as the EDWC’s president.

Tscheschlok replaces John V. “Jack” Caldwell Jr., who resigned at the end of June for undisclosed reasons.

The first executive director of EDWC, Caldwell held the position since April 2006 and moved here from Louisiana to accept it. Tony Warren, vice president of EDWC’s volunteer board of directors, has been the organization’s interim director. Warren is chairman and former chief executive officer of West Bend Mutual Insurance Co.

“I’ve been impressed with the accomplishments of Washington County businesses and the commitment of the EDWC Board to leverage the county’s assets into new opportunity,” Tscheschlok said, “I look forward to hitting the ground running and leading the organization to next-level success.”

Tscheschlok said he plans to focus the EDWC on core economic development activities that offer highest returns; continue to establish the EDWC as a relevant, results-oriented and truly county-wide economic development organization; and add to the organization’s fiscal and staff resources to meet new demands.

“I think his track record in Fond du lac speaks for itself, and his thoroughness,” Buntrock said. “He’s already certified, as was Jack (Caldwell). That’s a plus. He’s a very personable guy, knows his stuff and is well connected in the economic development world.”

The nonprofit EDWC acts as the county’s primary economic development agency, serving member businesses from each local community. The organization’s funding comes from the county, private business and local economic development organizations.

The private-public venture also serves as a chief public relations and information contact for existing businesses and others considering doing business or relocating here.

As the new EDWC executive director, Tscheschlok will represented the county’s interests in the regional economic development cooperative Milwaukee 7, which consists of Washington, Milwaukee, Waukesha, Ozaukee, Walworth, Kenosha and Racine counties.
EDWC also operates the low-interest Revolving Loan Fund, which assists businesses relocating or expanding in the county.

This morning, the Washington County Board is scheduled to decide if it will authorize the EDWC to become the administrative agency for a $7.09 million county Recovery Zone Facility Bond Program under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (commonly called the federal stimulus plan).

The EDWC received more than 50 applicants for the position of executive director, Buntrock said.

From that stack of resumés Tscheschlok was the unanimous number one candidate selected by the EDWC’s search committee, she said, and remained so during the process of interviewing the top three selected applicants. “He did his homework,” Buntrock said of Tscheschlok’s approach to the hiring process. “He already knew quite a lot about Washington County.”

Tscheschlok said he normally prefers to live in the community where he works. But with the proximity of his current home south of the city of Fond du Lac to Washington County and considering his wife works in Fond du Lac County, he said he will take his time to decide on moving. He and his wife are currently waiting for a decision on an adoption match.

Administrative Assistant Tuti Saysana is the only other full-time employee of the EDWC.
EDWC’s offices are located at Moraine Park Technical College in West Bend. Its board of directors includes municipal and business officials from around the county. At the time of his hiring, Caldwell brought 25 years of experience in business and economic development to the organization. The native Louisianan relocated here after his job as business retention and recruitment manager for Greater New Orleans Inc. folded along with the company after Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Formerly the Washington County Economic Development Corp., EDWC received a limited liability corp. standing in 2005 and a nonprofit 501(c)3 nonprofit tax status shortly thereafter.

The County Board voted in May 2005 to convert its economic development division into the separate entity.

County officials at the time said an autonomous organization would have better flexibility in working with private businesses and could attract private funding, which a government entity could not.

Daily News Staff, Dave Rank