DARKE COUNTY- The Darke County Community Improvement Corporation (CIC), the governing board of the county’s Partnering for Progress (P4P) initiative, has announced the addition of five new seats on the board and several other recent personnel changes.  According to officials, the changes are designed to better enable P4P, the county’s collaborative economic development effort, to tackle the recently-launched workforce development initiative by adding more manufacturers, HR personnel, and educators. The additions follow a summer of re-organization for the CIC, all aimed at better preparing the group to follow through on the goals of the P4P program. 

“The restructuring has resulted in both internal changes to the way the board operates and in a new committee structure”, remarked Jim Poeppelman, CIC President. “Along with the recent personnel changes, there’s no doubt that the committee is now even better positioned to tackle the programs and initiatives of the partnership.” 

Among the recent changes are the addition of three representatives from the manufacturing sector- Sue Hulsmeyer (Midmark), Teresa Amburgey (GTI), and Larry Holmes (Ft. Recovery Industries).  Also added were Tony Thomas, Superintendent of Tri-Village Schools, and Todd Durham of Second National Bank. The additions swell the county wide board to 24 seats. According to Darke County Economic Development Director Marc Saluk, the additions positively impact the running of his office. 

“The addition of these particular companies and individuals helps on many levels but especially impacts workforce development,” stated Saluk. “Having access to their expertise and consistent feedback is vital and having the group interact on the board is already providing new ideas and direction.” 

Saluk also agreed that the committee restructuring has already had a positive impact on economic development.  According to Poeppelman, one of the most valuable changes has been the addition of a small business advisory committee.  He states that the committee, with CIC Board Member Jim Goubeaux as the chair, assembles on an ad-hoc basis to assist the development of companies or start-ups with fewer than ten employees. Saluk adds that the committee’s membership is fluid and advisors are usually assembled based on who lends the best value to any given project. 

Other recent CIC changes include the addition of Rod Hale (Versailles Village Administrator) who replaces the out-going Randy Gump, Curt Garrison (Greenville Safety/Service Director) who steps into Mayor Mike Bowers CIC seat, and Bill Sinnis who takes over for Garrison’s Arcanum seat on the board. Family Health Director Jean Young has stepped in as CIC Vice President following the recent retirement announcement of former Versailles Village Administrator, Randy Gump.