EDC VP of Marketing Recognized as One of Forty Under 40
CEDAR RAPIDS, IA—OCTOBER 24, 2007— Josie Heskje, Vice President of Marketing for the Entrepreneurial Development Center (EDC), a not-for-profit Iowa business accelerator, was recognized as one of the Corridor Business Journal’s 2007 Forty Under 40, Tuesday, October 23 at the Cedar Rapids Marriott. The Forty Under 40 are selected by an independent panel of judges and are recognized for their professional success and community involvement in the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City Corridor.
“Josie plays an instrumental role in cultivating the corridor and the state’s economy by helping entrepreneurs on a daily basis with their marketing initiatives,” said Curtis Nelson, EDC President and CEO.
As Vice President of Marketing for the EDC, Heskje works with small business owners across the state to assist them with determining strategy, marketing and communications plans, advertising campaign effectiveness, and creative messages. In tandem with her efforts for entrepreneurs, Heskje evangelizes the importance of entrepreneurialism and the EDC program throughout the Corridor and statewide.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, Heskje is involved with a number of community organizations, including serving on the Catherine McAuley Center's PR Committee, the American Heart Association's Gala Fundraiser, and the Downtown District Board of Directors. She is also currently a member of the American Advertising Federation: Cedar Rapids-Iowa City.
The Entrepreneurial Development Center was incorporated in 2003 as a community-sponsored, non-profit business accelerator. The company provides economic growth through the development and expansion of entrepreneurial enterprises and has successfully assisted over 300 Iowa-headquartered businesses. Its focus is on creating local wealth for area re-investment by growing and cultivating regional, national, and international businesses. In 2006, the EDC expanded its reach to rural Iowa businesses through the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation’s Renew Rural Iowa initiative (www.iowafarmbureau.com/renewruraliowa).
