Gallatin Development Corp. searches for new director

The Gallatin Development Corp. board of directors has decided to begin a formal search for a new executive director.

Former GDC executive director Alicia Bradshaw was hit by a car while walking across a street downtown last June. She suffered a head injury and although she at first hoped to be able to return to work, it has so far been impossible.

By KAYLEY MENDENHALL Chronicle Staff Writer

http://bozemandailychronicle.com/articles/2004/03/28/news/searchbzbigs.txt

"We really wanted to make sure as an organization that we could keep Alicia. She did such a great job," said Spencer Williams, president of the board. "As a board we were waiting as long as we possibly could to see if that would become a reality, to see if Alicia could come back. It became apparent to us that waiting longer could be hurtful to the organization."

Without permanent leadership, he said, the board was worried the GDC would lose momentum. The organization works to promote Gallatin Valley businesses and to bring new entrepreneurs here.

Since Bradshaw’s accident, the GDC has had two interim executive directors. Now that person is Michele DuBose, who said she is not interested in the full-time position.

"I retired from GDC four years ago as the small business development center director," DuBose explained. "The board asked me to fill in for a few months while they did the search, as somebody who knew the organization but didn’t want the job."

DuBose has already begun advertising the position with the Montana Economic Developers Association and with the Chronicle. The board is searching for someone with strong networking skills, excellent writing and speaking abilities, management skills, fund-raising experience and familiarity with financial analysis and budgeting.

But, Williams said, it will be difficult to replace Bradshaw.

"She made this organization what it is today," he said. "She is such a wonderful person who is greatly respected by the board. It’s hard to move on."