SOREDI Announces New Executive Director

Medford, Ore. – May 11, 2016: Concluding an extensive 3-month search process, the SOREDI Executive Director Search Committee and SOREDI Board of Directors is proud to announce that they have chosen Colleen Padilla as the new Executive Director for SOREDI.

The SOREDI Executive Director Selection Committee was formed in early February 2016 in response to current Executive Director Ron Fox’s announced retirement. The Selection Committee was made up of members of public jurisdictions, businesses, as well as chambers.

This nationwide search yielded more than 50 applicants. The Selection Committee narrowed down the applicant field to the three most highly qualified candidates and conducted personal interviews with each of them.

The most highly qualified candidate, and clear choice was Ms. Padilla, who currently serves as the Senior Business Development Manager at SOREDI. The Selection Committee and Board fervently believe she represents the best choice to lead SOREDI forward, building relationships with member and non-members businesses, and honoring SOREDI’s history.

“Colleen’s hands-on experience and passion for our region made it clear she’s the right fit. Her support from public and private peers in the industry was astounding. She has proven to be creative and possesses an open-minded zeal needed to take SOREDI into the future.” said Aaron Ausland, Incoming SOREDI Board Chair.

Ms. Padilla has been a longtime resident of Southern Oregon and has worked for SOREDI for the last 15 years. She has a B.S. in Communication and a Masters in Management from SOU. She currently serves as a Member and Secretary of Oregon Economic Development Association Board of Directors. Ms. Padilla received a significant number of letters of support from public and private economic development practitioners and businesses for her in the role of Executive Director. She is respected by those close to the industry for her leadership, foresight, and willingness to be part of a team. Ms. Padilla is responsible for the innovative regional marketing campaign known as the “Southern Oregon Edge” and has won several State awards.

After learning of Ms. Padilla’s appointment to follow him as Executive Director, Ron Fox, said, “Having worked with Colleen these past years I am confident in her ability to lead SOREDI into the future and build on the momentum that we have been able to establish.”

Ms. Padilla will assume her new role as Executive Director on May 31, 2016.

SOREDI is a private, membership-based, non-profit organization, governed by a board of directors. Its staff is charged with local business expansion and new business recruitment efforts, financial assistance to start-up companies through its business loan fund, and management of Enterprise Zones in Jackson and Josephine Counties. The agency was formed as a regional economic development agency in 1987.

Learn more at http://www.soredi.org.