Director of Sheboygan County Economic Development Corporation resigns
SCEDC's fifth Executive Director in 15 years has resigned
SHEBOYGAN — After less than five years, the leader of Sheboygan County’s economic development organization has left.
Brian Doudna resigned as Executive Director of the Sheboygan County Economic Development Corporation (SCEDC) on Friday, July 25th. He had served in that role since October 2020 when he replaced Joe Sheehan, who left after joining the SCEDC in 2018 upon his retirement as Superintendent of the Sheboygan Area School District.
Doudna stepped down following his family’s relocation to Kildeer, Illinois where he will focus on supporting the needs of his family. He plans to continue contributing to the field of economic development and non-profit organizations through consulting and other future engagements in the Chicagoland.
There was excitement surrounding Doudna’s arrival in Sheboygan. “It is with great pleasure and excitement that we welcome Brian Doudna as our new executive director,” said Gary Dulmes, Chairman of the SCEDC Board in 2020. “He has extensive experience in the economic development field, and we were impressed that he has strong collaboration and strategy skills that will support our communities, businesses, entrepreneurs, residents and organizational initiatives.”
During his five-year tenure with the SCEDC, Doudna led the organization through two Strategic Direction Plans and oversaw the launch of several transformational programs, including the Forward Fund, Live Work Housing Program, Innovation Council, and the revitalization of the Someplace Better talent attraction initiative. He also played a key role in establishing the Community Enhancement Fund in Random Lake, designed to improve local quality of life and invest in placemaking.
During Doudna’s tenure, the SCEDC committed to bring 198 new housing units into the development pipeline, securing long-term momentum for entry-level single-family home residential growth in Sheboygan County. He also helped local companies obtain more than $1 million in workforce training funds and provided strategic guidance on the use of economic development financing tools to support multiple business expansions — including several impactful projects still to be publicly announced.
“Brian’s passion for economic development is admirable,” said Don Hammond, Chairman of the SCEDC Board of Directors. “We wish Brian the best of luck in his new endeavors and appreciate his contributions and dedication to the SCEDC and Sheboygan County.” Hammond said a search process for his successor will be announced in the coming weeks but did not provide a timeframe of when a new successor would be named.
The Sheboygan County Economic Development Corporation has had five Executive Directors since January 2010. The SCEDC had previously been known as the Sheboygan Development Corporation (SDC) from 1984 until 2009.
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