Seven months after the longtime head of Vermilion Advantage passed away, interviews are underway to find the next person to lead the economic development agency.
Dr. Stephen Nacco, who doubles as the president of Danville Area Community College and chairman of the Vermilion Advantage board, says a screening committee interviewed three candidates already. He says Smart Solutions, an outside search firm, has sent an additional six candidates for consideration, and three more will be considered as soon as next week.
The screening committee will narrow the list down to three selections, which will then go before the Vermilion Advantage board and local government officials for further consideration.
Nacco says the group is looking for a person who has the ability to bring in and strengthen businesses in the community.
“We need someone here who is our leader for economic development, who helps revitalize our county and is really the ambassador beyond the county to bring in business and to help the business that is here,” he said.
Vermilion Advantage has been without a president since Vicki Haugen, who led the organization for 38 years, died of cancer in February. Tinisha Spain has been serving as the interim president since that time, and is a candidate for the permanent position.
Nacco says he is hopeful a new leader can be named by the end of the year.
