Shawano County Economic Progress Inc. (SCEPI) has named a new chief economic development officer who will apparently head up the office, as well as take charge of the Shawano Country Vision 2017 program..
Dennis Heling was named to the position “effective immediately,” according to a news release from SCEPI’s Board of Directors.
However, a recently approved memorandum of understanding between the city and SCEPI creating the new position states it goes into effect Sept. 1.
SCEPI Executive Director Steve Sengstock, who was in charge, said Wednesday he will be answering to Heling.
Sengstock said he did not know when Heling was due to start.
“If the news release said effective immediately, I guess he’ll be here soon,” Sengstock said.
Sengstock said he was aware the board was interviewing for “a more highly skilled position,” but he said he did not know how his job as executive director would be affected. He also said he did not know what his duties would be versus Heling’s duties.
“That’s undetermined,” he said.
Neither the news release nor the memorandum of understanding adopted by the city makes any mention of SCEPI’s executive director in the new office structure.
Sengstock said he was excited about Heling’s addition to SCEPI.
“It’s a chance to bring in additional people to meet capacity and demand,” he said.
Board President Dan Miller could not be reached for a comment Wednesday.
“The board’s action comes with the fullest confidence that Heling will be a leader and advocate of business growth in Shawano County and an excellent steward of Shawano Country Vision 2017,” the news release stated.
Shawano Country Vision 2017 is a five-year economic development plan aimed at creating 1,000 jobs in the area.
“I have assisted businesses throughout my 30-year professional career, ranging from the service and retail sector to industrial and manufacturing businesses,” Heling stated in the news release. “My legal career includes counseling and advising businesses on corporate matters.”
Heling, a former resident of the Shawano County area, will be returning to his local roots in his new job.
“I feel very fortunate that I am able to come back to the place I consider home,” he said in the release.
Under the memorandum of understanding between the city and SCEPI, Heling will technically be a city employee so that health, retirement and other benefits can be provided. However, all of the city’s expenses related to the job will be reimbursed by SCEPI.
Both the city and the county make annual contributions to fund SCEPI.
Heling’s salary will be $85,000 a year, according to city officials.
Sengstock would not reveal his salary, saying it was confidential because SCEPI is a private nonprofit organization.
For the past 10 years, Heling has been director of Jefferson County Economic Development Consortium, an intergovernmental agency focusing on economic and community development, where he was responsible for assisting in all facets of economic development.
Heling received his undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh before attending Valparaiso University School of Law, where he received his law degree.
Heling received the 2005 Innovation Champion Award from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater for his efforts in the Inventors and Entrepreneurs Connection for creating visibility for entrepreneurs and creating venues for them to network for resources and support.
Heling has also taught undergraduate college level courses ranging from Federal Taxation to International Economics and graduate level courses in Applied Macroeconomic Theory for Master of Business Administration students for Lakeland College.
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