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MEDC hires new executive director
McCOOK, Neb. — The new executive director for McCook Economic Development Corp. won’t have far to move when he takes over the role on April 25. Charlie McPherson will join the MEDC later this month as its new executive director.
McPherson currently has an office just down the hallway from the MEDC at the Keystone Business Center, where he serves as the McCook and North Platte director for the Nebraska Business Development Center.
McPherson replaces Andy Long, who left in February for a job in higher education in Arizona.
Filling the position at the MEDC with a qualified candidate was critical to the continuity and growth at the organization, MEDC Board President Troy Bruntz said.
“We are excited to have Charlie in this role as we are in the middle of some critical projects right now,” Bruntz said. “These include housing, retail, and early childhood education initiatives that are key to our economic development.”
Bruntz added, “Charlie is excited to step in and take this on head first. His prior experience will be a huge asset to him and MEDC.”
McPherson and his family have lived in McCook since 2009, and his wife, Trina, is a McCook native. Along with their five children, they are very active in the community. Charlie is a member of many local and statewide organizations including UNL Meat Processing Committee, Nebraska Economic Development Association, MPCC Business Advisory Committee, MEDC Retail Committee, Cultivate Rural Leaders, McCook Discovery Center, and the McCook Optimist Club.
McPherson earned his Master of Business Administration in 2021 from UNK and has his undergraduate degree in business from Bellevue University. He is also a certified Economic Development Finance Professional and Certified Business Advisor.
In his role with the NBDC since 2013, McPherson has provided direct one-on-one consulting assistance to small business owners and prospective business owners (entrepreneurs) with business planning assistance, financial analysis, market research, marketing planning, operations assistance and more.
During his time, he has worked with over 400 business owners in the region, helped increase client business sales by $10 million, assisted with creating or retaining over 250 jobs for local businesses, and accumulated over $20 million in capital investments that provide a community impact to boost the economy in the regional areas served.
McPherson hopes to use this experience and education to build and expand on the opportunities the MEDC has created recently.
“There has been a lot of momentum created within the MEDC over the past couple of years in business prospects and the potential of expanding our housing development opportunities,” McPherson said. “My goal is to continue to build upon that momentum and help make the community more progressive for the future of McCook.
He added, “We are well-positioned for new future opportunities in business, housing, workforce and community development.”
“I am extremely grateful and excited for this opportunity to be a part of the MEDC team,” McPherson said. “My family and I love McCook and the opportunities it has provided for our family and would like to continue our efforts to make it the place we all love to live, work, and play for years to come.”
As McPherson makes the transition to executive director, he can be reached at the MEDC at 308-345-1200.