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Bockorny tapped to head Aberdeen Development Corp. [American News, Aberdeen, S.D. :: ](Aberdeen American News (SD) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) July 22--A familiar face has been named as the new CEO of the Aberdeen Development Corp. Michael Bockorny has accepted an offer to become the corporation's permanent chief executive, said Mark Luitjens, president of the corporation's board of directors. "I'm very excited to be joining a great organization in the Aberdeen Development Corp.," Bockorny said. "Aberdeen is a great community, and to have the opportunity to affect people's lives here and help to advance the community along is something I couldn't pass up." Through a news release issued Monday afternoon, Luitjens said Bockorny has the necessary tools to lead the nonprofit business development advocate into the future. "Mike brings a great deal of enthusiasm, along with experience, to this position," Luitjens said. "This hire was made after a prolonged nationwide search." A former Northern State University Foundation employee, Bockorny comes to the corporation from Primrose Retirement Communities, where he has served as director of operations since June 2013. "Leaving Primrose was the most difficult aspect of this decision," Bockorny said. "Primrose is a great organization, too, with some outstanding people. I really loved working at Primrose. Personally and professionally, this was just an opportunity that I couldn't pass up -- it was too exciting of a position." Along with his wife, Northern business professor Kristi Bockorny, and their three children, Bockorny has lived in Aberdeen for 10 years. A Huron native, Bockorny received his bachelor's degree from Northern before obtaining an advanced degree in management from the University of Mary in Bismarck, N.D. Bockorny, who is also an adjunct professor at Northern, said Aberdeen was where he and Kristi decided they wanted to raise their family. "My wife and I met while we were going to Northern," he said. "We moved around after college and lived in several different states, but we realized after we left that Aberdeen was the place we wanted to be. It really is an amazing community." The hire gives the corporation a permanent chief executive for the first time since the retirement of Jim Barringer in March. Longtime employee Chris Haar, who had led the organization on an interim basis following Barringer's retirement, will remain with the corporation in a different role. Bockorny said his first day on the job is scheduled to be Aug. 11 and that this week will be his last at Primrose. "I think this is going to be a good fit," he said. "I've developed companies from inception, so I think my background and experience will be an asset in this new role. I also know a lot of people in town and already have working relationships with a number of them. I know there are some challenges that we'll face, but I look forward to tackling those challenges. I think, overall, the development corp is in very good shape. I can't wait to get started." Luitjens said a selection committee worked for more than one year in an effort to "obtain the right person." Luitjens declined Monday to disclose salary considerations for the hire. Follow @bryan_horwath on Twitter. ___ (c)2014 the American News (Aberdeen, S.D.) Visit the American News (Aberdeen, S.D.) at www.aberdeennews.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |