2008 FEATURED PRESENTERS

Burt Chojnowski
New Presenter in 2008
Founder and Managing Partner
Brainbelt Consulting, Inc

Fairfield, Iowa is a nationally-recognized success story in sparking entrepreneurship with equity investments of more than $250 million in more than 50 start-up companies since 1990, generating more than 3,000 high-paying jobs Learn how Fairfield accomplished this and what your community can do from Burt Chojnowski, a leader in the community's success. Burt is currently Founder and Managing Partner of Brainbelt Consulting, Inc, which provides business consulting services for startup and second-stage companies.

Robert Pittman
Executive Director of the Arkansas Community Development Institute

"R. Pittman's contribution to this conference was wonderful. Pure E.D."

Robert Pittman is Executive Director of the Arkansas Community Development Institute and Associate Professor of Community and Economic Development at the University of Central Arkansas. Pittman has more than 20 years experience in business location and economic development consulting for major corporations, governments, chambers of commerce, and economic development agencies in the U.S. and abroad.

Pittman will present sessions on Site Selection, Marketing Your Community, and Making Your Community Development Ready. He is joined by Jeff Wagoner, Manager, Regional Development, CSX Transportation, another experienced economic development professional.

Additional Trainers

Joy Boruff
Executive Director of the Moline, Illinois Community Foundation

"Joy is dynamic and her experience so useful"

Joy Boruff is Executive Director of the Moline Foundation, a community foundation that serves the Quad Cities area by encouraging philanthropy and improving the quality of life for the current and future generations.

Joy Boruff will present sessions on Community Foundations and Fundraising, Critical Issues in Managing a Non-Profit Organization, and Dealing with the Media.

Jim Collins
Director of Community Relations in Corporate Communications
Deere & Company.

"He is an excellent speaker, he speaks from hard-earned, real-world experience"

Jim Collins is Director of Community Relations in the Corporate Communications department of Deere & Company. He was also named President of the John Deere Foundation in September 2001. He is active in many community organizations and has played an instrumental role in the economic revival of Moline and the Quad Cities.

Jim Collins will speak on Engaging the Private Sector in Economic Development.

Anne Heinze Silvis
Extension Specialist
Leadership Development, LCED
University of Illinois Extension

Anne Heinze Silvis is an Extension Specialist in Program Development at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Anne is Director of the Laboratory for Community and Economic Development, and serves on the Community and Economic Development Team for University of Illinois Extension. Her work focuses on topics such as leadership development, community leadership, sustainable agriculture, and telecommunications and access in rural areas.

Jack Vincent
President
Performance Development Plus, L.L.C.

"Jack Vincent was great, very engaging and relevant."

Jack Vincent is President of Performance Development Plus in Metairie, LA, a consulting company that he co-founded in 1993. The firm specializes in Community Development, Economic Development, and organizational performance consulting.

Jack Vincent will facilitate the New Town Simulation and lead sessions on Community Development Principles and Practices, Community Assessment, and more.