GRAND RAPIDS – Ray DeWinkle, well know vice president of business development for the Right Place economic development program in Grand Rapids is leaving that job to become President and CEO of GreaterFindlay, an economic development group that serves Findlay and Hancock counties in Ohio. DeWinkle assumes his new post on Nov. 17.
“Ray served our region with distinction,” said
The Right Place President and CEO Birgit Klohs Klohs. “We accept his decision to resign with sincere appreciation for the lasting contributions he made to West Michigan�??s economy and quality of life.”
De Winkle joined The Right Place in September 1989 and led the campaign to retain, expand, and attract business opportunities throughout the region. De Winkle and his business development team helped secure 3,040 existing jobs, generate 5,521 new jobs, and add $229 million in new payroll in the last five years. During that time, he and his team also leveraged more than $450 million of new capital investment.
De Winkle’s other chief accomplishments include organizing the Technology Council of West Michigan’s Fourth Friday Forum, establishing the CEO Roundtable for manufacturers and assisting in the development of the first strategic plan for the West Michigan Science and Technology Initiative.
“Ray knows how to get things done,” Klohs said. “He is an invaluable colleague who will be missed greatly. I thank him for his service and wish him the best in Findlay.”
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