Pierce Promoted to New GFDC Role

Pierce Promoted to New GFDC Role Main Photo

6 Mar 2015


Member News

Barb Pierce has been promoted to the newly created role of Director of Business Assistance, Retention and Expansion of the Greater Fremont Development Council (GFDC), a partner of the Greater Omaha Economic Development Partnership. She will be responsible for implementing programming to support Greater Fremont’s existing businesses and other economic development activities in Fremont and Dodge County effective March 16.

Prior to this promotion, Barb served GFDC as the Business Development Coordinator where she supported the organization through an interim period while board members conducted an extensive search for a new Executive Director. She was instrumental in ensuring a smooth transition when GFDC joined the Greater Omaha Economic Development Partnership in April 2013.

Executive Director, Cecilia Harry said, “Barb has displayed skills and potential for a position with leadership and program development responsibilities for a very long time. We are very fortunate to be at a place with increased investment from our private sector partners that allows us to expand our service provisions in this way. Barb will be able to deliver to our existing companies a level of customer service and support with projects and issues that our existing businesses need and deserve, and we know this increased capacity will lead to a stronger business climate and existing business base for the community.”

The creation of a director role to lead GFDC’s business retention and expansion efforts is a critical component to Fremont 2020, GFDC’s five-year strategic plan. The plan was created by stakeholders in 2014 and provides the blueprint for the organization’s programming for the next five years. Program enhancements have been funded by an increase in support from the private sector. Programming is divided into four pillars: business assistance, business retention and expansion, workforce development and preparedness, and quality of life enhancement. Harry will be able to grow the business attraction pillar, Pierce will grow the business retention and expansion pillar, and the pair will work together to deliver programming related to the workforce development and quality of life pillars.

When Pierce assumes the new position on March 16, the Business Development Coordinator position will be dissolved. In its place is a new part-time administrative assistant position that will provide support to both Harry and Pierce. GFDC is now taking applications for the position. A job description and details for how to apply can be found online at http://www.FremontEcoDev.org/careers.