Greater Louisville Inc., the Metro Chamber of Commerce has posted its help wanted ad, a request for proposals from search firms in its global effort to replace departed CEO Joe Reagan,
Here’s the intro:
GLI, who many describe as “not your Father’s Chamber” wants a leader who will build on the strategy that will transform our community into an idea capital where imaginations and individuals thrive.
You know, do you really want to approach executive search firms with a cliche? And genug with the “idea capital of the world” crap. It makes us look like a bunch of poseurs to the people in New York, San Francisco, Boston and even Omaha.
Though we get the impression this ain’t going to be a world-wide search since one of the selection criteria is GLI membership!
Oh, also, we think there’s something on there about, “Which high school did you go to?” Sheesh.
But anyway, it got us thinking about what GLI and the search firm should look for in our next GLI CEO.
Here’s our version of what Louisville needs in an econ-dev czar if GLI is going to continue as the main economic-development entity:
Has a realistic understanding of what sort of assistance successful business owners and executives need most from small-city economic-development officials. Where the property parcels are and can be assembled. What the problems are for each area. Does this man or woman have a working relationship with the CBRichard Ellises and TRIOs of the world, the commerical real estate brokerages with the expertise to do deals quickly?
Has excellent contacts among the big deal maker groups such as Association for Corporate Growth, which has chapters in every major city
Must have a big, cool friend at each of the big national developers such as RedRock Developments.
Has excellent contacts among the global tech community. Is Erik Brynjolfsson’s number under their iPhone “favorites” star. Or should at least have talked to Rob May about the frustrations that led him to move Backupify out of Louisville.
Understands finance down to how debt placement works. Should have at least an MBA, and maybe a little time working in high-finance. Oh, and a law degree will get you $50,000 per year extra.
Must have the ability to work with state government, where the real incentives are. And shouldn’t have a Googleable record of claiming credit for touchdowns when they were the water boy.
Must have the people skills to make every prospective employer considering Louisville think they’re special and loved.
Must have the ability to sort the wheat from the chaff. We don’t want every company, just the good ones.
Expects to earn a reasonable amount of money, with realistic performance bonuses, New York State and several large cities such as Baltimore pay their chamber/economic development CEOs half of what Joe Reagan was getting. (We will not say ‘earning,’ because he wasn’t.) And these people are proven stars, making $200,000 per year, not $400,000. Just because Bill Samuels can’t make it on less than $500,000 per year doesn’t mean you ‘re going get half-a-mil, Chuck.
Must know the world doesn’t end at the Oldham County line. That means more than being able to find Dubai on a map. Candidates must have a working undertanding of U.S. policy in regards to foreign visitors recieving permanent residence status while investing in American businesses.
Must work nights and weekends.
Here are the actual GLI CEO requirements:
GENERAL SUMMARY: The President and CEO is responsible for the day-to-day management of all GLI functions
carrying out policies established within the limits of the bylaws of GLI and policies established by the Board of Directors.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND TASKS:
1. Develop a strategic plan to advance GLI’s mission and objectives and to promote revenue, profitability, and
growth as an organization
2. Recruit, select and develop the Senior Leadership Team
3. Maintain an effective Economic Development Program that meets the needs of the membership and the region
4. Set an effective tone and culture for the organization
5. Attract and retain the necessary resources for the organization
6. Plan and coordinate meetings of the Executive Committee and Board of Directors
7. Determine and develop effective partnerships for GLI
8. Oversee the finances of GLI, including the annual budget and long range forecasts of needs
9. Develop and maintain an effective communications program responsive to the needs of the organization
10. In concert with the Office of the Chair, develop and maintain an effective governance structure and system
11. Identify critical issues that may impact the Chamber and its members
12. Maintains effective internal and external public relations, including government relations and reputation
management locally
13. Serve as primary spokesperson for the organization
14. Maintain the legal an ethical integrity of GLI
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor’s degree plus (10) years of senior level experience. A combination of education and experience may be
substituted when proficiency is demonstrated. Leadership skills are primary; demonstrated track record in recruiting,
hiring and developing staff. Expertise in sales and marketing, strategic planning, sales administration, decision making,
staff development and finance.
Ability to exercise judgment and diplomacy in a wide variety of public contact situations. Extensive community
knowledge is required.
Should be goal oriented, reliable in meeting deadlines, well organized and a consensus builder.
Must be able to pass any required drug test, maintain a valid driver’s license, and maintain the confidentiality of any
information s/he encounters.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to those who are able to perform the essential duties of the job.
Strong knowledge of computers.
Finally, the meat from the actual search firm RFP:
We will use a combination of weighted criteria to choose the firm we think fits best. In making this decision we will consider:
• Reputation and references
• Community and economic development expertise
• Your executive search process
• How you propose to get to know us
• How you will present this opportunity to candidates
• CEO recruitment expertise and track record
• Commitment to inclusion and diversity
• GLI membership status
• ACCE (American Chamber of Commerce Executives) endorsement
• Candidate sourcing and reach and track record with candidates and their families
• Ability to gain trust of candidates and how you close deals
• How you keep candidates close
• Performance in interview with us (for the top 2-3 firms)
Your next new job: GLI issues request for proposal to executive search firms, looking for Joe Reagan’s successor
Greater Louisville Inc., the Metro Chamber of Commerce has posted its help wanted ad, a request for proposals from search firms in its global effort to replace departed CEO Joe Reagan,
Here’s the intro:
GLI, who many describe as “not your Father’s Chamber” wants a leader who will build on the strategy that will transform our community into an idea capital where imaginations and individuals thrive.
GENERAL SUMMARY: The President and CEO is responsible for the day-to-day management of all GLI functions
carrying out policies established within the limits of the bylaws of GLI and policies established by the Board of Directors.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND TASKS:
1. Develop a strategic plan to advance GLI’s mission and objectives and to promote revenue, profitability, and
growth as an organization
2. Recruit, select and develop the Senior Leadership Team
3. Maintain an effective Economic Development Program that meets the needs of the membership and the region
4. Set an effective tone and culture for the organization
5. Attract and retain the necessary resources for the organization
6. Plan and coordinate meetings of the Executive Committee and Board of Directors
7. Determine and develop effective partnerships for GLI
8. Oversee the finances of GLI, including the annual budget and long range forecasts of needs
9. Develop and maintain an effective communications program responsive to the needs of the organization
10. In concert with the Office of the Chair, develop and maintain an effective governance structure and system
11. Identify critical issues that may impact the Chamber and its members
12. Maintains effective internal and external public relations, including government relations and reputation
management locally
13. Serve as primary spokesperson for the organization
14. Maintain the legal an ethical integrity of GLI
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor’s degree plus (10) years of senior level experience. A combination of education and experience may be
substituted when proficiency is demonstrated. Leadership skills are primary; demonstrated track record in recruiting,
hiring and developing staff. Expertise in sales and marketing, strategic planning, sales administration, decision making,
staff development and finance.
Ability to exercise judgment and diplomacy in a wide variety of public contact situations. Extensive community
knowledge is required.
Should be goal oriented, reliable in meeting deadlines, well organized and a consensus builder.
Must be able to pass any required drug test, maintain a valid driver’s license, and maintain the confidentiality of any
information s/he encounters.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to those who are able to perform the essential duties of the job.
Strong knowledge of computers.
• Reputation and references
• Community and economic development expertise
• Your executive search process
• How you propose to get to know us
• How you will present this opportunity to candidates
• CEO recruitment expertise and track record
• Commitment to inclusion and diversity
• GLI membership status
• ACCE (American Chamber of Commerce Executives) endorsement
• Candidate sourcing and reach and track record with candidates and their families
• Ability to gain trust of candidates and how you close deals
• How you keep candidates close
• Performance in interview with us (for the top 2-3 firms)
• Fee schedule