Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce Dennis Beson issued an announcement Monday on the hiring of a new economic development director:

 

The Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce has hired Michelle “Mickey” Fornaro-Dean as the Director of Economic Development to begin on January 3, 2017.

 

Mickey Dean comes to Junction City after a long career in Economic Development with The Harvey County Economic Development Council Inc. in Newton, KS.  Mickey has also spent a number of years with The Winfield Area Chamber of Commerce.  She held the title of Executive Director in both positions.

 

Mickey Dean has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Marketing/Public Relations from Kansas State University.

 

She has also completed the following specialized courses:

 

–          Institute for Organizational Management a course aligned with The U.S. Chamber of Commerce (IOM)

–          Economic Development Institute (EDI) – Accredited course through the International Economic Development Council and the University of Oklahoma, College of Continuing Education

–          National Development Council Economic Finance Professional Certification (EDFP) with an average test score of 98% in 2004

 

Mickey Dean has also:

 

–          Served as President of Kansas Economic Development Alliance (KEDA)

–          Served as Vice-Chair of Local Workforce Investment Board (KWIB) Area 1 representing 62 counties in Kansas for 6 years

–          Appointed by KEDA to serve on Governor’s Technical Education Task Force

–          Member and Fellow of Industrial Asset Management Council (IAMC)

–          Board Member Kansas Economic Progress Council (KEPC)

–          Board Member Team Kansas, public/private business development recruitment organization.  Appointed by the Governor

–          Co-Chair for 3 years of WIRED (Workforce Initiative for Regional Economic Growth) for 10 county region

 

“We are excited to have such a long tenured economic development professional join our team here at the Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce.” said, President and CEO Dennis Beson.  “This is a professional that can connect Junction City to projects stemming at the regional, state, and national level.”