[Press Release] : City manager names Economic Development director

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
Contact: Bill Watkins, City Manager - (573) 874-6338 or Bob Black,
Chair, REDI Inc. - (573) 442-4401 or Michael Brooks - (317) 752-4229

City manager names Economic Development director

COLUMBIA, MO (June 1, 2009) - City Manager Bill Watkins today announced
the appointment of James Michael (Mike) Brooks as director of Economic
Development, effective July 15, 2009. The person in this position, by
agreement, also serves as president of REDI Inc., a public-private
membership agency that promotes economic development in the
Columbia-Boone County region.
The four principal REDI partners are Boone County, the Columbia Chamber
of Commerce, the University of Missouri and the City of Columbia.

Brooks will be paid $120,000 annually, have a car allowance and receive
the standard employee benefit package from city funds. In addition, REDI
will provide a performance-based incentive package if Brooks meets
specific economic development objectives.

City Manager Bill Watkins said that Brooks’ training and experience
fit the goals he described in his 2008 State-of-the-City address.
“Last year I explained the region’s need for new staff skills and
funds to support a competitive, technology-savvy and strategically sound
marketing effort. We had a strong set of applicants, but Mike’s work
with major universities (particularly with Purdue in West Lafayette,
Ind.), cutting-edge research and effective partnerships made him rise to
the top.”

Brooks has more than 30 years of economic development experience,
mostly in Indiana. He now heads the Indiana Health Industry Forum that,
according to its Web site, is dedicated to creating “…an environment
where Indiana is a premier location for the creation and growth of
health industry enterprises.”

“With all due respect to the folks in Indiana, I hope we can share
some of that “premier” aura,” said REDI Chairman Bob Black. “One
of our goals is to harness the research power of the University of
Missouri and help it drive technology-related jobs, products and
businesses.”

Watkins agreed. “I’m a big believer in big plans. Mike has what we
need to get all of us working together toward the same end: a region
that can sustain its residents with good jobs and a better future. I
hope that citizens will welcome him and his family.”

Brooks earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Purdue University and
completed a six-year program (plus two years at the “post graduate”
level) with the Institute for Organizational Management.

Current interim Economic Development Director Bernie Andrews will serve
as REDI’s executive vice president.

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