Walter J. Elish named president and CEO of NCEDC

LOVELAND – Walter J. Elish has been named president and CEO of Northern Colorado Economic Development Corp. by unanimous vote of the board of directors. Elish will begin his position with NCEDC on Oct. 10, according to Joe Scherger, NCEDC board chairman.

“Our search committee led by George Hayes, CEO of Medical Center of the Rockies, did an outstanding job and followed a rigorous process in recommending Walt as CEO to our board,” Scherger said.

NCEDC began its national search earlier this year for a permanent CEO, following the resignation of COO Mike Masciola in February.

Elish was most recently president and CEO of Aroostook Partnership for Progress in Caribou, Maine, a regional economic development initiative. He has also served as director of economic development for Maine Public Service Co.; executive director for Waukesha County Economic Development Corp. in Waukesha, Wis. and as an economic development consultant for Forward Wisconsin Inc. in Milwaukee. He also has experience in economic development for the state of Tennessee and the city of Nashville.

Elish’s professional associations include CoreNet Global, International Economic Development Council and the Economic Development Council of Maine. Additionally, Elish has been actively involved in Rotary and United Way as well as with his church.

As president and CEO, Elish will lead efforts to build the organization’s investor base and communicate with all investors. He also will oversee NCEDC programs that attract new businesses to the region and retain and expand existing businesses throughout Northern Colorado.

“We are delighted that Walt Elish has agreed to become CEO of NCEDC, said Hayes, in a prepared statement. “Walt will bring a tremendous background and skill set in economic development that will be a real asset to Northern Colorado,”

Elish will fill the position currently held by Interim CEO Don Churchwell.

“Don has done an exceptional job of leading this organization through this transition period and we are most appreciative of his invaluable contribution to NCEDC during this time,” Scherger said. “Our board made the right decision in naming Don as Interim CEO which in turn allowed us to focus on the important task of selecting a permanent ‘top flight’ CEO in Walt Elish.”