Edc Picks Two Finalists For Top Post Agency Hopes To Choose New President By Month End

The Spokane Area Economic Development Council has narrowed its search for a new president to two candidates, and hopes to name Bob Cooper’s successor by the end of the month.

The finalists are Gary Smith, president of an economic development council in Rochester, Minn., and Mark Turner, president of an economic development council in Broome County, N.Y.

“What made these two candidates stand out from the others,” said Pete Kerwien, “was their recruitment situation. They both have been very successful at it.”

Kerwien, a Washington Water Power Co. business strategist, is a loaned executive to the EDC this year as the agency attempts to be sure its efforts to recruit new companies to Spokane don’t lag during the search to replace former EDC President Bob Cooper. Among other duties, Kerwien heads the search committee.

“They both are dealing in areas with border situations,” Kerwien said, “and both of their communities have a number of similarities to ours.”

Cooper, who presided over the EDC during its 10 most productive years, left the agency in April to start a similar organization in Ventura, Calif.

Kerwien said national, regional and local advertisements for the position drew about 100 responses. Those were pared to 20, and then cut to seven.

On the basis of phone interviews, the field was reduced to four candidates who were brought to Spokane for interviews.

Finalists Smith and Turner have met with EDC board members and representatives of businesses that provide financial support to EDC.

“Now we’re doing our due diligence, checking on references, things like that,” Kerwien said. “Our hope is to be making an offer to one of the two at the end of the month.”

The EDC is a nonprofit organization with an annual budget of $1 million and a staff of eight to 10 people.

, DataTimes