For the City Times

Centergy, the regional economic development alliance serving five counties in Central Wisconsin has announced the election of new officers at the September special meeting of its Board of Directors.

Andrew Halverson, Vice President of Business Development for Ellis Construction, was elected President of the Board. Halverson will provide leadership to the 25-member board.

According to a news release from Centergy, the board sets strategic direction and provides oversight to support the group’s mission to stimulate measurable economic development in Central Wisconsin; accomplished by aligning resources, encouraging cooperation among all sectors of our regional economy, and promoting the value of doing business in our central Wisconsin region.

Victoria Strobel, previous board president, said she was “pleased” with Halverson’s win.

“With his strong leadership and excellent communication skills, I am confident the strategic plan set in place will continue to move forward and Centergy will grow as the [b]oard envisioned.”

Halverson succeeds Victoria Strobel, Director of Business Development for the Marshfield Clinic, who has resigned from the Board of Directors to relocate in St. Paul, Minn.

“Vicky provided excellent leadership for Centergy and has set the bar at a very high leve;,” Halverson said. “I am thrilled to be entrusted with continuing the expansion of the regional economy, and finding significant ways to collaborate and drive initiatives for all businesses to benefit from.”

Other officers elected to the board include: Patricia Wesenberg, president & CEO, Simplicity Credit Union, Marshfield; Brian Wagner, CEO Gamber Johnson, Stevens Point; Jeff Landin, president, Wisconsin Paper Council; William Tehan, attorney, Ruder Ware, Wausau; Scott Larson, President for Marshfield Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MACCI); and Jim Tipple, former mayor of Wausau.