Shawano County Economic Progress Inc. Executive Director Steve Sengstock resigned his post Wednesday, according to a SCEPI board official.
“He resigned voluntarily,” Vice President Rick Kane said. He said Sengstock offered no explanation for the decision.
The move comes several weeks before Dennis Heling is due to start as SCEPI’s new chief economic development officer.
In an interview with the Leader last week, Sengstock said he was expecting to work under Heling. However, he also said he did not know how his duties as executive director would be affected by the new position.
Sengstock could not be reached for comment Thursday.
Kane said the board had not determined what would happen with the executive director position.
“There had been no firm decision,” he said. “We wanted to see what was going to happen.”
The board issued a news release last week naming Heling as chief economic development officer “effective immediately.”
Kane said Thursday that Heling would start “in the middle of September.”
In the meantime, the office is being run by office manager Linda Wendt.
Kane said there would be no disruptions caused by Sengstock’s sudden departure.
“It’s business as usual,” he said.
Kane said the board had not discussed issuing any kind of news release regarding Sengstock.
“I don’t think any organization publicizes when somebody quits a job,” he said.
The Shawano Common Council recently approved a memorandum of understanding between the city and SCEPI creating the chief economic development officer position, effective Sept. 1.
Under the agreement, Heling will technically be a city employee so that health, retirement and other benefits can be provided. However, all of the city’s expenses related to the job will be reimbursed by SCEPI.
Both the city and the county make annual contributions to fund SCEPI.
Heling’s salary will be $85,000 a year, according to city officials.
For the past 10 years, Heling has been director of Jefferson County Economic Development Consortium, an intergovernmental agency focusing on economic and community development, where he was responsible for assisting in all facets of economic development.
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