Let’s connect you with the right person.
There are so many people pushing for Wisconsin’s success. It truly takes a village—from experts in entrepreneurship and economic development to lawyers and marketers. Our comprehensive staff directory will help you connect with the right person. We can’t wait to look forward, together.
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Strategic Investment & Evaluation
Strategic Investment & Evaluation supports the assessment and management of investment opportunities, evaluates risks, disburses funds, monitors and services awarded investments, and conducts research to inform and refine investment strategies.
Regional Economic Development Directors
From the Northwoods to the Driftless Region to the Lake Michigan shoreline, every beautiful corner of Wisconsin has a dedicated WEDC regional economic development director (REDD) who can provide personalized support for the specific business development needs of your community, coordinating inputs from various partner organizations as needed.
Explore our REDD map to find the contact information for experienced professionals in your region.
PROGRAMS: Business Development Tax Credits, Enterprise Zone Tax Credit, Industrial Revenue Bonds, Brownfields, Idle Sites Redevelopment Program, Capacity Building Grants, Community Development Investment Grant, and Data Center Sales Tax Exemption Tax Credit
Dave Wierzba
Regional Economic Development Director
david.wierzba@wedc.orgRegion 1 Counties: Ashland, Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas, Iron, Price, Rusk, Sawyer, Taylor, Washburn
Ray French
Regional Economic Development Director
ray.french@wedc.orgRegion 2 Counties: Barron, Chippewa, Dunn, Eau Claire, Pierce, Polk, St. Croix
Mark Tallman
Regional Economic Development Director
mark.tallman@wedc.orgRegion 3 Counties: Buffalo, Jackson, Juneau, La Crosse, Monroe, Pepin, Trempealeau, Vernon
Ela Kakde
Regional Economic Development Director
ela.kakde@wedc.orgRegion 4 Counties: Crawford, Grant, Green, Iowa, Lafayette, Richland
Jim Rosenberg
Regional Economic Development Director
jim.rosenberg@wedc.orgRegion 5 Counties: Florence, Forest, Langlade, Marinette, Oconto, Oneida, Vilas
Melinda Osterberg
Regional Economic Development Director
melinda.osterberg@wedc.orgRegion 6 Counties: Adams, Clark, Lincoln, Marathon, Portage, Wood
Jason Scott
Regional Economic Development Director
jason.scott@wedc.orgRegion 7 Counties: Columbia, Dane, Dodge, Jefferson, Rock, Sauk
Vanessa Ineza
Regional Economic Development Director
vanessa.ineza@wedc.orgRegion 7 Counties: Columbia, Dane, Dodge, Jefferson, Rock, Sauk
Jon Bartz
Regional Economic Development Director
jon.bartz@wedc.orgRegion 8 Counties: Brown, Calumet, Door, Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Kewaunee, Manitowoc, Marquette, Menominee, Outagamie, Shawano, Sheboygan, Waupaca, Waushara, Winnebago
Naletta Sanchez
Regional Economic Development Director
naletta.sanchez@wedc.orgRegion 8 Counties: Brown, Calumet, Door, Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Kewaunee, Manitowoc, Marquette, Menominee, Outagamie, Shawano, Sheboygan, Waupaca, Waushara, Winnebago
Natanael Martinez
Regional Economic Development Director
natanael.martinez@wedc.orgRegion 9 Counties: Kenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Walworth, Washington, Waukesha
Neil White
Regional Economic Development Director
neil.white@wedc.orgRegion 9 Counties: Kenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Walworth, Washington, Waukesha
Tracy Luber
Regional Economic Development Director
tracy.luber@wedc.orgRegion 9 Counties: Kenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Walworth, Washington, Waukesha
Business and Community Development
Whether you’re starting or expanding a business or revitalizing a Main Street or community corridor, WEDC’s business and community development team can help you bring your vision to life.
Sarah Bownds
Business Attraction Manager
sarah.bownds@wedc.orgReach out for: Site Selection Support, Certified Sites
Heather Smith
Senior Director of Business & Investment Attraction
heather.smith@wedc.orgReach out for: Site Selection Support
Mike Ward
Vice President, Business and Community Development
michael.ward@wedc.orgReach out for: Key Strategic Partners
Ann Hyra
Business & Community Development Grants Manager
ann.hyra@wedc.orgReach out for: Fabrication Laboratories Grant
Errin Welty
Senior Director of Downtown Development
errin.welty@wedc.orgReach out for: Connect Communities, Main Street
Diverse Business Development
Your diversely owned business can create jobs, build generational wealth, and inspire others to dream big. Our diverse business development experts and statewide network of partners are here to help you succeed and grow.
The Office of Rural Prosperity
Rural Wisconsin is both beautiful and complex in its diversity of experiences for life and work. From small towns and farms to working forests and tribal lands, WEDC’s Office of Rural Prosperity seeks to foster vibrant businesses and communities throughout Wisconsin.
Entrepreneurship and Innovation
From starting a new business to taking an idea from concept to commercialization, our entrepreneurship and innovation experts can help you make it a reality.
Nichole Crust
Director, Entrepreneurship Access & Inclusion
nichole.crust@wedc.orgReach out for: Entrepreneurship Partner Grant, Capital Catalyst
Ed Javier
Director of Entrepreneurship Advancement
ed.javier@wedc.orgReach out for: Entrepreneurship Partner Grant, Capital Catalyst
Chris Schiffner
Director of Entrepreneurship & Innovation
chris.schiffner@wedc.orgReach out for: Qualified New Business Venture, Technology Development Loan
Greg Williamson
Senior Venture Investment Director
gregory.williamson@wedc.orgReach out for: Wisconsin Investment Fund
Joey Frayne
Technology Investment Manager
joey.frayne@wedc.orgReach out for: Qualified New Business Venture, Technology Development Loan
Global Trade and Investment
Whether you’re a Wisconsin-based business considering exporting or an international company interested in establishing a location in Wisconsin, our global trade and investment experts are here to assist.
Sheila Postler
Global Trade & Investment Grants and Fund Manager
sheila.postler@wedc.orgReach out for: International Market Access Grant
Rome Rauter
Market Development Director
rome.rauter@wedc.orgReach out for: Global Trade Missions
Region: Europe
Chad Hoffman
Market Development Director
chad.hoffman@wedc.orgReach out for: Global Trade Missions, ExporTech™
Regions: Canada, Australia & New Zealand, Africa, Middle East, India
Fanfu Li
Market Development Director
fanfu.li@wedc.orgReach out for: Global Trade Missions
Region: Asia
Francisco Carrillo
Market Development Director
francisco.carrillo@wedc.orgReach out for: Global Trade Missions
Regions: Central America, Mexico, Spain
Patrick Roetker
Global Trade & Investment Business Analyst
patrick.roetker@wedc.orgReach out for: Locate in Wisconsin Support
Executive Office
If you’re a member of our statewide or international network, we’re here to listen to your challenges and support and guide your efforts with policy expertise, information, and more.
Media and Communications
If you have a media inquiry or have a speaking engagement, our media and communications team would be happy to provide information and coordination.
Jennifer Plager
Strategic Communications Manager
jennifer.plager@wedc.orgReach out for: All media inquiries
David Callender
Senior Director of Communications
david.callender@wedc.orgReach out for: All media inquiries
Human Resources
People are at the heart of WEDC, and our human resources team is here to nurture a positive and inclusive work environment. Whether you’re currently working for WEDC or interested in an open position, we’re here to provide support and information.
Hayley Hellenbrand
Vice President, Human Resources
humanresources@wedc.orgReach out for: All hiring inquiries
Legal and Compliance
Navigating the legal complexities of economic development, the deployment of funds and federal resources, and compliance with federal and state statues can be intimidating. Our legal and compliance team is here to help.
Brooklyn Mashaw
Senior Director of Compliance
brooklyn.mashaw@wedc.orgReach out for: All compliance inquiries
Katie Ujdak
Federal Grant Compliance Manager
katie.ujdak@wedc.orgReach out for: Federal funding inquiries
Marketing
Whether you’re promoting our programs to businesses and communities within the state or are working to attract talent or businesses to Wisconsin, our marketing and brand strategy team is here with the tools to help.
Jesse Plate
Digital Marketing Director
jesse.plate@wedc.orgReach out for: All digital marketing inquiries
Sarah Duchemin
Vice President of Marketing and Brand Strategy
sarah.duchemin@wedc.orgReach out for: All marketing inquiries
Public Policy
Our team of public policy experts work every day to identify existing or potential problems, determine the problems’ root causes and how policy may influence them, and develop solutions.
Finance
Finance is a critical part of any organization and is even more important when taxpayer funds are involved. Our finance team is here to track and report, oversee investments, and ensure proper stewardship of resources.
