SOREDI Executive Director Ron Fox Announces Retirement

Search Committee Forming to Hire a New Executive Director

Medford, Ore. – February 5, 2016:  – After ten years of exemplary service to our community, Ron Fox has announced that he will retire on May 27, 2016, from his position as Executive Director of SOREDI. The impact Ron has made on SOREDI and our community during his tenure is remarkable. His leadership through the great recession not only ensured the stability of SOREDI but continued to help our region’s economic development. His work with our public and private partners has resulted in a substantial increase in funding and support as well as stability for the organization. During his tenure, the organization has helped numerous companies relocate and expand in our region resulting in thousands of jobs.

“While he will be greatly missed, we are excited for Ron and the joys that await him in his next adventures. We know he will continue to stay engaged in our community with his current role as the Vice Chair of the Board of Education for Rogue Community College which will be working to hire a new president. There will also no doubt be many more fishing days in his future!” says Matt Stephenson, SOREDI Board President.

Ron leaves SOREDI a stronger organization and our region one that is better able to help businesses launch, relocate and prosper because of his tenure.

During his tenure, Ron helped to implement focused activities and personnel to help companies launch, including the A&E Grapevines, Angel Conference, and adding a Venture Catalyst position to the team at SOREDI.

Ron was instrumental in expanding the Enterprise Zones creating full coverage for industrial and commercial sites throughout the two-county region. These Enterprise Zones include property tax incentives and e-commerce zone corporate tax credits for new and expanding traded-sector companies. Ron led the development of the Southern Oregon Edge business attraction campaign, site consultant tours, and ongoing outreach to consultants nationwide to raise the profile of Southern Oregon.

Under Ron’s leadership, SOREDI began implementation of industry tours for partners, educators and local businesses to increase awareness of companies, and workforce needs to help businesses prosper.

Ron’s leadership also produced numerous economic development awards through Oregon Economic Development Association (OEDA) and National Association of Development Organizations (NADO). His contributions did not just include award-winning performance, he was also able to increase funding for SOREDI to add capacity to staff – from 4 people in 2006 to 6 FTE today. The additional staff allows for increased outreach capacity for local and national outreach strategies and leaves SOREDI in a far better place than he found it.

An executive search committee of community leaders from both the public and private sectors is being formed to hire a new Executive Director. The SOREDI Board and Leadership is optimistic that they will be able to facilitate a smooth leadership transition which will build on the strengths of SOREDI and propel our community to, even more, success in the future.

About SOREDI: SOREDI is a private, membership-based, non-profit organization, governed by a board of directors. Its staff is charged with local business expansion and new business recruitment efforts, financial assistance to start-up companies through its business loan fund, and management of Enterprise Zones in Jackson and Josephine Counties. The agency was formed as a regional economic development agency in 1987. Learn more at https://soredi.org.

###