Incoming president Steve Waldhoff told the members of Greater Jobs, Inc.

Friday, May 18, 2001

Incoming president Steve Waldhoff told the members of Greater Jobs, Inc. Thursday that he was taking the reins of a proven organization with a legacy dating back more than 50 years.

&uot;The organization is a mature adult in the prime of its life,&uot; Waldhoff said at the Greater Jobs annual meeting.

But Waldhoff, Chief Financial Officer for Albert Lea Medical Center, said he has no intention of resting on the accomplishments of past years. Instead, Greater Jobs can take a more visible and active role in improving the business climate for Albert Lea and Freeborn County, he said.

&uot;The challenge is to tap the resources and talents of our community – to create more partnerships,&uot; Waldhoff said.

Outgoing board president Mike Moore said the events of the last year are encouraging. The city posted gains in population, plans for an business incubator are moving forward, several prominent area businesses are expanding and new retail and housing developments are springing up around the city, he said.

&uot;The resting period for our community is clearly over,&uot; he told the Greater Jobs membership.

Moore said Greater Jobs has gone though a &uot;retooling and retraining process&uot; in the last year, including a board reorganization and new partnerships with Freeborn County, Riverland Community College, the Albert Lea Business Development Center and the Minnesota legislature.

&uot;Economic development is not a game of instant gratification,&uot; Moore said, adding that years of hard work are beginning to pay off.

Director Pam Bishop said Greater Jobs will continue to work toward recruiting new companies and employees. A new program to invite Albert Lea alumni to return to the community is one example of the organization’s innovative efforts, she said.

&uot;I feel like we’re on the right track,&uot; Bishop said.