Friday morning’s Regional Development Association of East Central Kansas Board of Directors meeting marked the end of an era within Emporia.
Friday was the final monthly board meeting with President Kent Heerman at the helm of the RDA. New RDA President Chuck Scott is set to take over his new role Monday morning and he will begin bright and early at 7 am with a breakfast meeting at Simmon’s Pet Foods.
Heerman’s official final day on the job is Feb. 1 and as he sets to enter retirement, members of the board took time Friday to offer their best wishes to Heerman. Board Vice-Chair Brad Kraft says in his 20 plus year career Heerman managed to leave the city of Emporia in better shape than he found it.
Kraft says there is no better mark of a true leader.
Even more than just his accomplishments, Heerman’s longevity as RDA President is something that stands out to board member and local developer Corey Haag. Haag says longevity is a necessity in a field such as economic development.
Heerman’s tenure as president began back in February of 1994 and he has led the organization as its only president since then. An official farewell party for Heerman has yet to be announced.
The RDA Board of Directors will reconvene for its monthly meeting in February.
