News Room

Champaign County EDC New President and CEO Announced

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – JULY 11, 2012

 

CHAMPAIGN COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION ANNOUNCES NEW PRESIDENT

The Champaign County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) has selected Mike Kirchhoff as its new President/CEO.  Kirchhoff emerged as the top candidate following a six-month nationwide search and a comprehensive evaluation and interview process that included both CCEDC and community leaders.

Mr. Kirchhoff is expected to begin his duties in late July or early August.  Mike Kirchhoff has worked in economic development for over two decades.  He is a native of Illinois and during his career he has served in economic development roles at the state, regional and local levels in three states and in several different capacities, including with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs, Illinois Power Company, two local economic development corporations in Illinois (Tuscola and Jacksonville), the Indianapolis Partnership, and most recently as Vice President of Business Recruitment and Retention for the Economic Development Corporation of  Kansas City, Missouri.

“We are excited to have the opportunity to bring Mike back “home” to Illinois” commented current Board Chair Gary Burgett, who led the search process.  “Mike possesses a combination of skills, training and experience that will not only benefit the EDC but all of Champaign County.  We look forward to welcoming Mike and his family to Champaign County.”

“When we initiated this search in January our primary goal was to find the very best economic development executive for Champaign County and with Mike we feel that goal has been achieved.  Without a strong local initiative focused on creating and retaining jobs for Champaign County, we leave our future in somebody else’s hands.  Under Mike’s leadership the economic future of the county should be strong and stable” added Laura Frerichs, incoming EDC Board Chair.

The hiring of Mike Kirchhoff coincides with the retirement of current EDC President John Dimit. Mr. Dimit came to the EDC in April 2008 as the interim CEO and was soon asked to provide permanent leadership.  Prior to his position with the EDC, John served as the CEO of the Champaign County Regional Planning Commission where he retired in 2007 after 40 years of service. “John’s long standing commitment to the local community has been integral to cultivating, strengthening, and sustaining vital, constructive relationships among the diverse stakeholders served by the EDC,” commented Burgett.