Perry County Development Corp Announces Retirement, Names Emerson President & CEO
Tell City Indiana (October 24, 2022) – The Perry County Development Corporation (PCDC) Board of Directors has announced the appointment of Erin Emerson as President and CEO of the organization. Alvin Evans, who has served the PCDC for over 30 years, most recently as Projects Manager, has retired from his official role.
Emerson has been with PCDC for nine years, most recently serving as Executive Director. During her tenure in this role, Emerson led all aspects of the award-winning Pick Perry Campaign, which promotes Perry County, cultivates community pride and engagement, and attracts and retains talent. The campaign gained global recognition in 2020 by winning a gold category award from the International Economic Development Council. Recognizing that economic development extends beyond business attraction, Emerson has played an integral role in the evolution of the organization and has expanded the influence of PCDC to include community and workforce development, support for entrepreneurship and quality of life and place. Asked about this accomplishment, Emerson remarked, “I’m extremely proud of how this organization has evolved to meet the changing needs of our community. I’m also grateful to live in a place that is willing to embrace new ideas, like the Pick Perry Campaign, and where developing a unified community brand is not only possible, but wildly successful.”
In addition to her work at PCDC, Emerson serves on a variety of boards and committees in the county and region. Her commitment to addressing barriers to community growth, supporting working families and improving local quality of life led to her involvement with Perry Preschool & Childcare, the county’s only licensed childcare center. She has been involved since the initiative’s inception in 2013 and has served as the organization’s board president since 2020. Recognizing that childcare is essential infrastructure, especially for rural communities dependent upon retaining and attracting young families, Emerson has gained national attention for her advocacy efforts and is a frequent guest speaker at events throughout the state. In addition, Emerson serves on several local and regional initiatives including the Perry County Mental Health Coalition, the Southwest Indiana Development Council, the Southwest Indiana Small Business Development Center Advisory Committee, and Indiana 15 Regional Planning Commission’s Economic Recovery & Resiliency Plan Task Force. She is also a member of the Indiana Economic Development Association.
Board Chairman David Goffinet stated, “We are so pleased and excited with our recent announcement of Erin Emerson as the President & CEO of the Perry County Development Corporation. Because economic development has significantly changed in recent years, the board recognizes that Erin is a perfect fit with her incredible leadership, marketing, and team building skills. All of Perry County will continue to benefit from her unique skill set and her dedication to our community. We are lucky to have someone of Erin’s caliber leading our organization into the future.”
As she assumes this new role, Emerson is cognizant of the responsibility she bears. “Economic development plays a critical role in the overall trajectory of a community. This is more than a job for me. I live here. This is the place I have chosen to call home, to raise my family. I am both excited and grateful for the opportunity to lead the PCDC in this new era that is so ripe for development. Our community is positioned for growth, and I am eager to work alongside local leaders to break down barriers and create innovative solutions that will continue to move our county forward.”
Evans Retires
Emerson will build upon the work of Alvin Evans, whose dedication to economic development in Perry County has spanned three decades. A founding member of PCDC, Evans has served on the board of directors since its inception in 1990. He began working full-time for PCDC in 2013 and assumed a variety of roles through 2022, including President and CEO, Vice-Chairman, and most recently as Projects Manager.
Working alongside other community leaders, Evans was integral in developing Perry County Industrial Park South, which hosts ATTC Manufacturing; and Perry County Industrial Park Riverview, which hosts both Waupaca Foundry and Webb Wheel Products. During his years of service to the organization, Perry County secured $450 million in new investments that resulted in over 2,000 new jobs in the county. In addition to Evans’ work on behalf of PCDC, he also serves as a board member and employee of the Perry County Port Authority, where he has played a vital role in the purchase and start-up of a short-line railroad and the establishment of a river port. He is also a past president of the Perry County Chamber of Commerce and has been involved in many other community and philanthropic organizations.
“Alvin’s leadership with the PCDC was critical to Perry County’s recovery from the loss of essential manufacturing jobs in the early 90s,” said Goffinet. “His love of this community and dedication to its growth will be felt for generations to come.” Evans will continue to serve on the PCDC board in a volunteer capacity. He resides in rural Tell City with his wife Fran (Etienne).
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