The Door County Economic Development Corporation has found its new leader, announcing the hiring of Steve Jenkins Tuesday morning. A University of Tennessee alum, Jenkins comes to Door County after serving as a special business consultant with ThriveEd, the economic development corporation that serves Wisconsin’s Jefferson and Dodge Counties. Prior to his time there, Jenkins served for another economic development corporation in Fond du Lac and other communities across the country.

See below for the full release from the Door County Economic Development Corporation:

DCEDC HIRES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

DOOR COUNTY, WI - February 10th, 2020 -  The Board of Directors of the Door County Economic Development Corporation (DCEDC) has selected Steve Jenkins to be the next Executive Director of the organization, following a search throughout Wisconsin and surrounding states. Jenkins will replace Jim Schuessler, who resigned in December and left on January 24, 2020 to take a position with Yuma Multiversity in Arizona.   Jenkins will begin working for DCEDC on March 2, 2020.

Jenkins received a degree in Business Administration from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, where he also fulfilled course work in a graduate program in Planning. Professionally, he has achieved status as a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) through the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). Jenkins also served as a Captain in the Transportation Corps for the U.S. Army Reserve.

Prior to his current position as a special business consultant with ThriveED, a two-county economic development corporation serving Jefferson and Dodge Counties, Steve spent many years in several states fostering economic development. During his tenure at the Economic Development Corporation in Fond du Lac, he led the implementation of an award-winning program that focused on attraction, existing business, entrepreneurial development, community competitiveness, and created such innovations as IGNITE! Business Success, M.O.R.E. Business, and a Manufacturers Innovation and Technology group.

“I’m extremely honored to be selected as the next Executive Director of the DCEDC”, stated Jenkins. “The program has a solid foundation in board leadership, staff team, strategy and support to achieve economic growth and prosperity for Door County and its communities. I look forward to being a part of Door County and serving its citizens.”

DCEDC Board Chairman, Todd Thayse (Vice President & General Manager, Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding) stated, “We had a highly qualified pool of applicants and feel very fortunate to bring a leader of Steve’s caliber to Door County and DCEDC. The strength of Steve’s business and economic development background, and his demonstrated solutions to economic development issues that he has faced in his career, impressed the selection committee. Special thanks go to my fellow Board member and Personnel Committee Chair, Patti Vickman (Superintendent, Southern Door School District) for leading the search, and to Diane Bierstecker from Human Resources Consulting, LLC. The Board also appreciates the leadership of Tom Strong, Kelsey Fox, and Janet Proctor (TEAM DCEDC), as they have kept the organization moving forward on its strategic plan during this leadership transition.”