The EDGE group (Economic Development and Growth Experts) is the unit of strategic advisors to the Board. This body of stakeholders represents the Investor interests and serves as regional thought leaders, creating policy for Board review based on input and feedback of the ten volunteer driven EDC Strategy Groups.

Why does EDC need the EDGE?

Research has shown that investors are looking for ways to engage in EDC policy and initiatives. Furthermore, to EDC’s detriment, we have previously not had a vehicle through which EDC can obtain feedback and secure active engagement from regional champions and business leaders. .

EDGE guides Strategy Groups. Strategy Groups initiate and lead the development of ED strategy and policy for the region. Each Strategy Group focuses in on a specific industry that has been identified by the EDGE as a critical growth area based on global trends and regional assets and competencies.

EDGE brings the big picture together. EDGE reviews all policies and proposals submitted by each of the Strategy Groups, giving them a high level understanding of the entire ED landscape. They then are able to advocate and champion this comprehensive understanding to their respective communities, organizations, and businesses.

EDGE facilitates engagement. By giving these public administrators, ED professionals, and business leaders the chance to shape policy and approve it for board consideration, we have thus actively engaged them and increased the chances of having their support of these initiatives as they are moved up to the Board level and ultimately disseminated into the community. They have been given the opportunity to impact policy before it reaches board level.

Following are the EDGE members:

Marylean Abney Caterpillar, Inc.
Bashir Ali Workforce Development Department
Ben Armitage Adams Outdoor Advertising
Steve Backlund Better Banks
Linda Beckman Proctor Hospital
Randy Belsley Caterpillar Logistics Services, Inc.
Tom Brimberry City of East Peoria
Stan Browning Greater Peoria Sanitary & Sewage District
Dan Daly Busey Bank
Sara Dill Children's Hospital of Illinois
Julie Dreesen JA Dreesen Business Solutions, LTD
Dr. John Erwin Illinois Central College
Eric Fasnacht Archer Daniels Midland
Jeff Giebelhausen Cullinan Properties
Chris Glynn Caterpillar, Inc.
Dallas Hancock Peoria Area Association of Realtors
Tim Hickey CORE Construction
Bruce Huber Hometown Community Banks
Steve Jaeger TransPORT
Karen Jensen Farnsworth Group, Inc.
David Jones Tazewell County
Dennis Kief City of Pekin
Katie Arnholt Kim Horan Construction
Ken Klotz Turner Center for Entrepreneurship
Bernie Koch River City Construction
Terry Kohlbuss Tri-County Regional Planning Commission
Brad McMillan Institute for Principled Leadership
Jeff Moery Aventine Renewable Energy, Inc.
Scott Moore City of Peoria
Bob Morris City of Washington
Jeff Owens ATS
Dave Parkinson RSM McGladrey
Dennis Pauley AT&T
Bob Pedersen Illinois Mutual Life Insurance
Mary Pille Employers Association of Illinois
Anne Sandvik Village of Eureka
Mark Spenny CEFCU
David Strohl Village of Morton
Bob Swank Commerce Bank
Patrick Urich Peoria County
Steve Warren Ameren
Don White PSA Dewberry