a:25:{s:9:"weblog_id";s:1:"4";s:8:"entry_id";s:0:"";s:6:"sticky";s:0:"";s:14:"allow_comments";s:1:"n";s:16:"allow_trackbacks";s:1:"n";s:10:"entry_date";s:19:"2009-01-16 05:27 PM";s:15:"expiration_date";s:0:"";s:23:"comment_expiration_date";s:0:"";s:8:"category";a:1:{i:0;s:1:"4";}s:9:"author_id";s:1:"2";s:6:"status";s:4:"open";s:14:"trackback_urls";s:0:"";s:18:"versioning_enabled";s:1:"y";s:5:"title";s:56:"Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois Elects Officers";s:9:"url_title";s:56:"leadership_council_southwestern_illinois_elects_officers";s:6:"submit";s:6:"Submit";s:11:"field_id_26";s:56:"Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois Elects Officers";s:11:"field_ft_26";s:4:"none";s:11:"field_id_31";s:0:"";s:11:"field_id_44";s:158:"The Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois, an economic development organization for the St. Louis Metro East submarket, has chosen new leadership for 2009.";s:11:"field_ft_44";s:4:"none";s:11:"field_id_28";s:41:" Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois";s:11:"field_ft_28";s:4:"none";s:11:"field_id_29";s:2117:"<p>The Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois, an economic development organization for the St. Louis Metro East submarket, has chosen new leadership for 2009. Members unanimously approved five new officers to serve one-year terms, including Vaughn Vandegrift as the president of the organization. Vandegrift, Chancellor of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, has been a member of the Leadership Council&rsquo;s executive committee since 2004 and most recently served as the organization&rsquo;s vice president. The additional officers chosen include:<br />&nbsp; <br />Chairman &ndash; Suzanne Butler, vice president of Johnson Properties<br />Vice President &ndash; Mark Tade, manager of employee relations, U.S. Steel, Granite City Works<br />Secretary &ndash; Dale Stewart, executive secretary/treasurer, Southwestern Illinois Building and Construction Trades Council<br />Treasurer &ndash; Gerry Schuetzenhofer, president, Coldwell Banker Brown Realtors <br /><br />The Leadership Council president is the key officer presiding over organizational meetings and operations. <br />&nbsp;<br />&ldquo;2009 will be a critical year for our region,&rdquo; noted Vandegrift. &ldquo;While our development pipeline is currently strong with billions of dollars in projects under construction, the current state of the economy makes it imperative that regional leaders come together and work collaboratively to chart the course for our region&rsquo;s long-term future. I look forward to working with our membership, other regional development agencies, civic leaders and elected officials to continue to shape a bright future for Southwestern Illinois.&rdquo;<br /><br />The Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois is a member-based, economic development corporation representing Madison and St. Clair counties. The Council works to attract/retain jobs and stimulate capital investment through its coalition of leaders in business, industry, labor, education and government. These effective partnerships serve as a driving force behind successful economic development efforts throughout the Metro East region.</p>";s:10:"category_0";s:1:"4";}