WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — Wausau Mayor Doug Diny says he’s not concerned about the city losing momentum as Development Director Liz Brodek prepares to take a new state-level role with the Economic Development Corporation.
“One of the things that beneficial with having a quality staff is [with succession planning] is no matter who the person at the top is, there’s always someone to step in,” said Diny. “Like I used to say in the Army, if there’s two Privates in the room one of them will have seniority over the other and [they] are in charge. Someone in that office will take charge.”
Diny says he also plans to be more hands-on in economic development, which was one of his goals before Brodek’s announcement last week. “I’ll probably spend a little more time down the hall working with [the team].”
Diny adds that he has already received at least one phone inquiry about the job and expects more, especially given how connected the economic development community is statewide. Because of that network and the strength of the department, he doesn’t expect the city will have to hire a search firm just yet.
“I think we’ll be able to attract quality people without having to do that,” added Diny.
Brodek’s last day with the city will be July 5th. Diny expects to name an interim director in the coming weeks.
She joined the city in June of 2021, filling a post that had been vacant for one year after the retirement of Chris Schock. This was her second job in Wausau after she served as director of the River District years ago before leaving that gig for other business development and leadership jobs in Eau Claire and Milwaukee.
Other topics Diny discussed with WSAU’s Mike Leischner include:
Start of video- last week’s veto
7:30- Groundbreaking for Foundry on 3rd
10:40- Departure of Development Director Liz Brodek
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