Wendy Dant Chesser, who led Southwest Michigan’s Cornerstone Alliance for nearly eight years, is taking on a new challenge in the Louisville Metro Area of Kentucky and Southern Indiana.
Chesser has announced she’ll be leaving ‘One Southern Indiana’, a group similar to Cornerstone’s original model, combining Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development activities. She will move in October to an organization that’s in charge of redevelopment of a massive, multti-use office and industrial complex known as River Ridge Commerce Center near Jeffersonville, Indiana.
Chesser headed Cornerstone Alliance from January, 2005 until September, 2012. She took over for Jeff Noel and was succeeded by current Cornerstone Alliance CEO Rob Cleveland.
In announcing her move to River Ridge Commerce Center, Chesser commented:
“For the last decade, I have thoroughly enjoyed serving the businesses, organizations, and residents of our communities in my role at One Southern Indiana. The team of professionals that I have been able to work for and with is truly second-to-none in serving our businesses and communities with passion and foresight. These business professionals are dedicated, eager, and smart – the future of ‘1si’ and those we serve is certainly bright and shiny!”
Chesser added a personal note, “This is where I was born and raised, and to dig a little deeper into the economic future and the stability of southern Indiana was an opportunity I couldn’t say no to.’
Laurie Kemp, Immediate Past Chair of the One Southern Indiana Board of Directors, strongly praised Chesser’s tenure there:
“Wendy has led the organization through many economic development successes, including securing a $50 million READI grant. She helped 1si and many businesses weather the COVID storm and helped expand services and resources to our business members. 1si and this community are the better for her service, and while we will miss her leadership within ‘1si’, we are thrilled that she will continue to use her talents to the benefit of Southern Indiana.”
She added that the 1si Board of Directors has met and will outline a transition plan in the coming weeks, which will include a search for a new President.
In late October, Chesser will start her new position with the River Ridge Development Authority (RRDA) as the Chief Director of Corporate Strategy and External Affairs.
Jerry Acy, Executive Director of the RRDA, said, “Wendy will bring her passion for development as well as her extensive contact list to this new position. She will help us plan and implement the next decade of growth by continuing to serve Southern Indiana.”
Looking ahead to River Ridge, Chesser commented:
“River Ridge has been a great partner of 1si for many years, and this new challenge will allow me to delve deeper into the economic development strategies which will grow and sustain this regional asset.”.
“While I am excited about my new position, I remain committed to the mission of 1si and I am extremely grateful to those who have allowed me the opportunity to lead this organization,”
Chesser added. “I am so very proud of the work we have accomplished, and I look forward to supporting 1si as a committed partner.”
The River Ridge Development Authority manages the River Ridge Commerce Center, a 6,000-acre business and office park established in 1998 to replace lost economic activity from the closure of a former government installation at the site, along the Ohio River near Jeffersonville, IN.
The Authority has invested more than $150 million to redevelop about 35 percent of the Center. River Ridge is home to more than 70 companies and investments and growth at River Ridge recently earned the RRDA the International Economic Development Council’s Gold Award for Real Estate Redevelopment and Reuse. For more information, visit RiverRidgecc.com.
One Southern Indiana was formed in July of 2006 as the economic development organization and chamber of commerce serving Clark and Floyd counties. 1si’s mission is to provide the connections, resources and services that help businesses innovate and thrive in the Southern Indiana/Louisville metro area. For more, visit 1si.org.
