The Snohomish County Economic Development Council has reorganized its staff following the departure of longtime vice president Michael Cade.
Rather than replace him, the organization will split his duties between two people elevated to vice president, then add a support staff researcher.
"Michael had been here so long, he was the font of all knowledge," said Debbie Emge, who has become vice president of business development with the reorganization. "He’s irreplaceable, that’s for sure."
Diana Dollar also was promoted, to the post of vice president of community relations.
Emge previously was director of business resources and the council’s financial and operations director. In her new role, she’ll take charge of working with companies interested in moving to or expanding in Snohomish County.
Dollar has been the council’s policy director and the lead researcher and author of policy papers for the group. She will keep that duty, and will add responsibility for working with the governing bodies of the county and its cities, and with the business community.
Both joined the council in 2000.
The two have "contributed enormously to our organization’s success," council president Deborah Knutson said in the formal announcement of the promotions.
She said that Dollar and Emge are "integral members of the EDC leadership team," and added that "both the EDC and Snohomish County will benefit from their work in these new roles."
The changes come as the organization settles into new offices.
This month, the development council moved into a new suite in the Quadrant Business Center at 728 134th St. SW in Everett. In the new location, the group is sharing space with the Edmonds Community College outreach center, the Northwest Women’s Business Center, the Procurement Technical Assistance Center and a Small Business Administration small-business development center.
All the agencies offer programs to assist businesses, noted Emge, so the new arrangement is "really a one-stop shop for business needs."
The council held an open house in the new space last week, in the midst of the celebration surrounding Boeing’s decision to base final assembly of the 7E7 in Everett.
Reporter Bryan Corliss: 425-339-3454 or corliss@heraldnet.com.
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