have a business retention program , one and three-year plans for economic development , and either have a city commission or separate economic development corporation to oversee a Star City program ,” he said . The latter was the chosen route .
The Vadnais Heights Economic Development Corporation ( VHEDC ) came into existence in 1984 . It wasn ’ t long after the organization was formed that Vadnais Heights became a STAR City for attracting quality businesses . It was named an All Star City in 1998 .
The VHEDC ’ s first Executive Director was Henry “ Hank ” Tessier who served from 1984 to 1994 . During his tenure Vadnais Heights was the fifth largest growing city in Minnesota .
Soon after Tessier retired , the VHEDC sagged for about a year until Mike Bromelkamp came in and re-energized the organization . After getting the organization back on its feet and moving forward again , he found a good person ( Keith Warner ) to take over the executive director position .
IC System is proud and honored to have held a seat on the Board of Directors of the VHEDC since the beginning . Although our business focuses nationally , our core values guide us in understanding that starts by connecting locally . The VHEDC has provided us a platform to interface with a variety of community stakeholders through an impressive variety of initiatives . From HR Connections to the NMYP to countless networking events , VHEDC has provided the programs , support , and infrastructure for IC System to stay grounded in our community and to thrive . IC System has been in business for over 85 years and is proud to call Vadnais Heights home .
Eric R . Johannes , Director of Corporate Marketing
IC SYSTEM
Warner served until 2014 when he passed away after battling cancer .
Gerry Urban and Chris Stoehr stepped in to serve as co-interim directors in late 2013 , helping out with long term planning until Ling Becker ’ s tenure began in 2014 . She says it was just before she started that the focus shifted from member benefits to an investor partnership mentality , and focusing on what the employers really needed in terms of the workforce .
From the beginning , her main objective was to improve the business support organization ’ s visibility and recruit more investors . “ In 2016 , we went and visited 40 businesses in a 45 day timespan , and put together a report that got a lot of people engaged ,” she said .
While under Becker ’ s leadership , VHEDC also launched the Northeast Metro Young Professionals Group ( NMYP ), which brings young developing leaders together to enhance their leadership skills while exposing them to more of the community in which they serve and work . The program launched in 2017 .
Also in 2017 , the VHEDC launched The GenZ Connection : Skills and Careers in Manufacturing program . It is a collaborative partnership between VHEDC , White Bear Lake Area Schools , White Bear Lake Area Educational Foundation , Ramsey County , and local manufacturing businesses to ensure high school students can gain handson manufacturing skills through paid internships .
Other programs VHEDC offers today include HR Connections and Partners for Good . HR Connections is a professional development networking group through which participants can keep up with business trends , share best practices , network with peers and grow their knowledge bases .
Partners for Good is a networking and professional development group for local nonprofit leaders . The program offers Lunch and Learn events , and encourages participants to learn from each other at Coffee Talks . Nonprofit leaders are also invited to attend the VHEDC HR Connections events and Mixers .
Liz Moscatelli took over as Executive Director in 2019 when Becker left to take the position she holds to this day , Director of Workforce Solutions for Ramsey County . Moscatelli is credited with keeping the organization running and relevant during the COVID 19 pandemic .
“ My first six months were really great , and then COVID hit ,” she said . “ Partners for Good , HR Connections and the Northeast Metro Young Professionals all continued to meet virtually . Plus , we were able to use funds from the Workforce Grant Ling secured during her tenure to help the schools purchase equipment .”
Now that the pandemic is over , participants in all of the VHEDC programs are back to meeting in person , and the focus has shifted from survival to working to help improve inclusivity in the workforce , particularly in the area of manufacturing .
“ The VHEDC for over 40 years has brought people together . In its most recent chapter , it is finding people with similar needs with similar aspirations , and connecting them ,” said Becker .
“ What really enthuses me about the VHEDC is its adaptability . It went from being a financing and land organization to one serving businesses by bringing people together ,” added Urban .
The VHEDC is always looking for additional investor partners . Learn more about the organization at VHEDC . com
VHEDC ’ s Executive Directors
Henry “ Hank ” Tessier Mike Bromelkamp Keith Warner Chris Stoehr and Gerry Urban Ling Becker Liz Moscatelli
10 Northeast Metro Business