PRESS RELEASES

Martinsburg Hires Outside Firm to Continue Search for Economic-Community Development Officer

MARTINSBURG, W.Va, November 10, 2017 — A new position aimed at leading economic and community development efforts in the city of Martinsburg remains unfilled, and search efforts, now more than a year old, are set to take a new direction.

The Martinsburg City Council voted unanimously Thursday night to retain Greensboro, N.C.-based Jorgenson Consulting Inc. to provide the city with “executive search services” to help fill the Economic and Community Development Officer position.

“We’re hoping to do this within the next 90 to 120 days,” City Manager Mark Baldwin said of the newly approved search effort in coordination with the consulting firm.

The hiring of Jorgenson Consulting follows two rounds of advertising efforts by the city to attract candidates that began shortly after city council agreed in September 2016 to set aside $305,000 in municipal sales-tax revenue for a new economic development department. The allocation includes money for an administrative assistant, benefits for both positions and operating expenses.

The agreement for the new search effort, which was released after Thursday’s vote, includes a stipulation that the city pay the consulting firm a minimum $30,000 executive-search fee.

Jorgenson Consulting also is to be paid for certain expenses incurred as part of the search effort. Consulting expenses listed in the agreement include communication costs, advertising with the International Economic Development Council and another national publication, and background checks for job finalists.

Baldwin said in January that the city had received about 20 applications for the job since it was first advertised, but noted that some of the candidates had strong experience with one facet of the position, but not both economic development and community development roles.

The person hired is expected to be closely involved with various ongoing initiatives, such as the Martinsburg Mills & Rail Corridor Revitalization project, as part of the city’s effort to implement recommendations of a strategic plan produced in 2013 by Garner Economics LLC.

About Jorgenson Consulting 

Jorgenson Consulting distinguishes ourselves through our unique network in the non-profit profession, by establishing a best-in-class reputation and consistently providing a superior service and value to our clients. We understand that organizations hire executive search consultants for their leadership and knowledge in recruiting top talent for their organization and community. Using our expertise and our expansive network, we can proactively identify, engage, and recruit top professionals.

Contact:
Bonnie Garraway
Manager, Research and Communications
410.384.7243
bonnie@jci-inc.net

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