Vermilion Advantage has a new president and chief executive officer.
The Vermilion Advantage board has announced that outgoing State Representative Mike Marron has been selected as Vermilion Advantage’s new president/CEO.
“Our board of directors is excited to welcome Mr. Marron to head our organization in the future. We believe he has the vision to lead the community to new opportunities. His experience in both government and business is the right combination to bring new energy and perspective in accomplishing Vermilion Advantage goals,” according to a Vermilion Advantage statement.
State Rep. Mike Marron (R-Fithian) also released a statement on his upcoming retirement from his 104th District state legislative seat and assistant leadership position in the Illinois House Republican caucus.
Marron said, “On Monday Dec. 18, I will be starting in my new position as CEO/President of Vermilion Advantage and will be stepping down as state representative. It has been a great honor and a highlight of my life to represent the people of the 104th District for the last five years and it is a bittersweet moment saying goodbye to this position.”
“I truly appreciate all the love and support I’ve experienced during my tenure in office and am proud of what we’ve accomplished together. I will never forget what an honor it has been to represent you in Springfield,” Marron said.
“My new position is nonpartisan, and I am therefore removing myself from all political activity. I look forward to working with all elected officials, on all levels, from both parties to bring new opportunities to Vermilion County. Vermilion Advantage has been the driving force behind economic development in our county for years and it is the opportunity of a lifetime to head up this organization and dedicate myself to guiding the organization into the future,” Marron added.
Vermilion Advantage President and CEO Tim Dudley resigned on Sept. 8. He’d been in the position less than three years.
Todd Lee was named interim president and CEO. He started Sept. 11.
Lee is retired. His last position was as director of the Danville Sanitary District. Lee also has past economic development experience in other positions, including as director of business development and government relations for Vermilion Advantage, and once served as Vermilion County Board chairman.
A search committee was formed to find a permanent CEO, after Dudley’s resignation.
Vermilion Advantage Board Chairman T.J. Morris said they interviewed two candidates.
“The officers of the Executive Committee handled the interviews and recommended Mike to the Executive Committee for approval. The Executive Committee unanimously approved Mike to be considered by the full board. The full board met via Zoom and voted unanimously to hire Mike,” according to Morris.
Morris would not comment on Marron’s salary. He said salary and benefits is a personnel matter and confidential and he didn’t feel comfortable commenting on it.
Former President/CEO Tim Dudley started in the position with about a $100,000 salary.
Morris adds that Marron has already had several meetings with Executive Committee members and Interim CEO Todd Lee.
“This will continue so that he is up to speed and ready to hit the ground running on the 18th,” Morris stated.
Morris also added, “The board of directors is excited for the next chapter at Vermilion Advantage with Mike as the leader. Mike’s experience and connections in government as well as the business community will serve us well as we work to ramp up economic development in the county. The current staff at Vermilion Advantage has done a tremendous job recruiting new small business members and growing the chamber side of the organization. I expect that to continue with the talent we have on staff.”
Morris continued, “We can’t thank Interim CEO Todd Lee enough for the work he has done and will continue to do for the organization. Todd has a passion for Vermilion County and he has worked hard to keep Vermilion Advantage moving forward through this transition period. There is no doubt that Todd will continue to be a valuable source of information for Mike as he takes over in the roll of CEO.”
In September, Morris said he couldn’t speak as to why Dudley left. Morris also has declined comment on Dudley’s severance package.
Dudley replaced Vicki Haugen who died in February 2020. Tinisha Spain had served as interim president prior to Dudley’s appointment.
Dudley previously worked with the city of Decatur as economic development coordinator and as a state economic-development official for the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.
Morris said in September that they hoped to have a new permanent CEO in two to four months.
Vermilion Advantage is part economic development and part chamber of commerce.
In 2002, the Economic Development Corporation and the Danville Chamber of Commerce merged into the organization Vermilion Advantage.
Combining what was then 125 years of experience and dedication to Vermilion County, Vermilion Advantage works for businesses, large and small, to enhance all aspects of community living – quality of life, successful business and retail climate and the general welfare of Vermilion County’s residents, according to the organization.
The not-for-profit’s mission: “With the innovative combination of the membership driven Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development agencies, Vermilion Advantage will create and sustain an environment for all individuals and businesses to succeed and grow within the Danville and Vermilion County area.”