CED Campaign Close Remarks / May 17, 2006

Last September seems light years ago when the “Step Ahead of Tomorrow” campaign entered its General Phase with an amazing kickoff event hosted by Johnny Greuling and his alter-ego. the Amazing Carnac.

Actually, it was the very end of May, not quite one year ago, that the Board of Directors of the Will County Center for Economic Development launched an ambitious campaign to raise $7.5 million to support its ambitious program of work over the next five years. Ambitious because the financial target was 50 percent higher that the previous campaign. Ambitious because the program of work planned for the next five years was the most industrious and far-reaching ever planned by CED leadership.

I agreed to chair the campaign, but only if I was permitted to rub Mighty Carnac’s magic lantern and be granted the three customary wishes. Despite appearances and rumors to the contrary, The All-Powerful and Mysterious Carnac is no dummy. My every wish was his command.

Now, you may notice that Carnac’s Genie, since last September, has decided to downsize from his spacious, golden magic lantern to this simple blue condo, in reality a gravy boat from my kitchen. Nonetheless, Carnac’s Genie was able to make major magic for us during the campaign.

My first wish, Wish #1, was granted immediately.

This is what was needed to start: A solid, persuasive case for understanding and investing in the work of the Will County CED had to be laid out plainly and positively for current and prospective investors.

Mighty Carnac, fortunately, had the foresight to enlist the aid of Spiritual Advisors, namely R & M Resources, a consulting firm from a land far, far away. R & M’s conscientious pre-campaign feasibility interviews, more than 60 in total, helped immeasurably to fashion a persuasive Case Statement.

It's my pleasure to acknowledge the work of R & M and its principal partner, Mike McCarthy, who flew in from Denver to be here today for this morning’s Eye Opener. Thank you, Mike – please stand and be recognized -- for sharing your expertise in formulating our powerful campaign case.

And, that Case Statement was masterfully turned into a handsome brochure by Dan Stephanich and the creative gang at Joliet’s own Gammon Group. Thank you, Dan!

When it was time to publicly launch the campaign, as we did last September in a memorable way, thanks to host Jeff Pfeiffer and the Argosy Empress Casino Joliet, we needed an energetic and entertaining video resource. A special thank you goes to Ron Romero and StageRight Productions for the superb video presentations including today’s visuals. Ron, please make your presence known and be recognized.

However, feasibility interviews, campaign literature and a damn clever video production would not be enough to get the job done.

To accomplish that task, a second wish had to be granted, and the All-Powerful Genie granted my second wish without hesitation.

Wish #2 was for plenty of firepower on the phones and on the streets, connecting with current and prospective investors, securing face-to-face appointments, making thoughtful presentations, and earning the right to ask for an investment. The job, to be successful, would require the dedication of CED staff and an army of volunteers to make the case for investing in the CED.

Hundreds and hundreds of phone calls and appointments were completed over this past year. Hundreds more follow-up phone calls have been made. Quickly but importantly, I wish to acknowledge and recognize the following individuals who brought the campaign to a successful close:

First the Campaign Committee: If you are present, please stand and remain standing as I call your name. Audience, I ask you to please hold your applause until all are standing:

Matt Alexander
Jeff Brickman
Bill Caton
Joe Domenico
Carl Dukes
Br. James Gaffney
Ted Kanellakes
Barbara Ladner
Dan Malinowski
Carmen Morales
Val Rand
Michael Rittof
Roy Thygesen
Derek Wright

Thank you, every last one of you!

The entire CED Board of Directors and Executive Committee was highly supportive during the campaign, providing information and influence when attempting to gain the attention of decision-makers. I wish to recognize five Executive Board members whose advice, encouragement and active participation went above and beyond expectations: They are Jim Roolf, Ed Dollinger, Mike Hanson, Bob Rogina and Dennis Paschen. Gentlemen, please stand and be recognized. Thank you!

Early on, the aid of the Will County CED’s professional corps of Diplomats, many of whom are here, was extremely important to the success of the campaign. Last year’s chair of the Diplomats was Chris Adler; this year’s chairman is Joe Whalen. Would you two gentlemen please stand and be recognized. Will all Diplomats also please stand to be recognized? Thank you!

Many Diplomats as well as board members accompanied R & M Resources as they made presentation after presentation. Most weeks from June up to December, at least one R & M principal was here in Will County to deliver a cogent, persuasive presentation on behalf the CED’s campaign. You already have met R & M’s Mike McCarthy; I also wish to recognize Susan Blansett for her talent and expertise. Please stand Susan. Thank you, Susan! Not here today is Tom Reger, also an important part of the R & M campaign team who helped us immeasurably during the campaign.

Saving the last bit of recognition for last, I am truly indebted to everyone on the CED staff who was an integral part of this campaign, and three individuals in particular.

I first ask Megan Muskovin to stand and be recognized for her relentless diligence in both appointment-making and the organization and follow-through on hundreds of details about the campaign. On behalf of the CED board, please accept our appreciation for a job extremely well-done, Megan. Thank you so very much!

Most of you know that I had a relentless, albeit charming, task-master at the CED who truly came into her own during this campaign. Observing just her second year this month on the job as Vice President of Investor Relations, Janet Romero became the driving dynamo on the staff when the campaign entered the General Phase last September. Always professional and upbeat, I give Janet Romero her due and my heartfelt appreciation. Thank you, Janet. You’re the tops!

Finally, I have come to the last of this remarkable CED to recognize.

John Greuling and I came to Will County within weeks of one another five years ago. John, as President and CEO, brought excellent economic development credentials to the campaign. Yet more than that, he brought a large talent for relationship development. Those relationships have paid off. Under John’s tenure, I saw the work of the CED increasingly optimize, and the results garnered by the CED gave me confidence that the campaign goal would become reality.

Here’s why I was so confident: Consider the thousands of new and retained jobs that are the underpinnings of Will County prosperity. More than that, John in his savviness and professionalism has elevated the image and stature of Will County to a spot on the short list nationally as the place to do business.

John, please stand and be recognized -- for you have made the Will County Center for Economic Development the go-to organization internationally for smart business investment in this region.

You heard Carnac mention a number, $ 7.5 million, as the five-year investment goal. Well, this one time, the Mighty Carnac was a bit wrong -- but not by much. As of this morning, I am proud to announce that the five-year investment for the Will County CED stands at . . . $7.6 million!

Even more important than the dollars is that the number of investors has increased by 7 percent, from 244 at the beginning of the campaign to 261 investors to-date, investors who come from the breadth and width of Will County. The CED truly is represented county-wide.

I am delighted to call this campaign officially closed -- if for no other reason than I have other things to do with my life these days. But of course, CED investor relations and seeking new investors is a never-ending job. I am confident that I leave this campaign in Janet Romero’s capable hands. If by chance there are companies represented here who are not yet investors in the fine work of the CED, then watch out. Janet and Megan are anxious to see you.

Oh, yes: I almost forgot. About that third wish, Wish #3.

Yes, indeed, Mighty Carnac has granted this wish -- for all of us.
This is the wish:
That in this next five years,

Will County will have exponentially more opportunity for economic growth and development;
That we are able to manage growth carefully for optimum results;
That we meet and manage the BIG challenges
surface transportation,
education of our future Will County workforce,
excellence and affordability in healthcare,
and above all,
That we will work hard for more and better paying jobs
to keep Will County workers employed right here,
employed at home . . . in Will County.

I know that last wish is a BIG wish.
But Carnac’s Genie says, “The wish is granted.”

So be it.

Thank you!

Randy Chapman,
Campaign Chairman.