Trevor Lane, EDC director for last three years, is leaving for a state position. Kathy Ertel, who has been the EDC workforce development director during that same span, will move into the top position.

“I have a lot of mixed emotions,” Lane admitted. “I hate to leave this job because of everything that is going on. But this is an opportunity I can’t pass up. I will still be able to help Jennings County and work closely with people here in my new job, and I plan to keep doing just that.”

In fact, Jennings County is exactly in the center of the 19-county territory in which Lane will work in his new position as senior project manager for the Indiana southeast regional office in Madison that is under the umbrella of the Indiana Economic Development Commission. Lane in essence will be the region’s director.

“I am pleased to be part of the IDEC during this exciting time of change in Indiana,” Lane said.

“Trevor’s experience in economic development and ties to the southeastern Indiana communities will play a major role in the region’s development,” said Patricia R. Miller, Indiana’s secretary of Commerce and IDEC chief executive. “His background makes him an asset to our efforts.”

Lane and his family will be able to continue living at their farm in Vernon Township, so that’s a plus, too, he said. He raises cattle and does other farming on the side.

Lane and his wife, the former Pamela Anderson, have three daughters, Lauren, 9; Tori, 4; and Emma, 6 months.

“We’re all going to miss Trevor,” said Wanda Ferguson, general manager of Martinrea Industries’ North Vernon plant that received assistance from the EDC on a $3.7 million expansion two years ago. “He has been a big help to us over the years and has been good for the community. We work well with Kathy, too, so we’re happy she will be heading the EDC.”

Lane, who succeeded Travis Campbell as EDC director and before that headed workforce development for two years, said he is proud of what the EDC has helped accomplish in Jennings County in recent years.

He cited the EDC’s efforts to find a new use for the Muscatatuck State Developmental Center, which is currently being transformed into the Muscatatuck Urban Training Center.

According to EDC statistics, Jennings County industries have invested over $60 million in upgrading or expanding their facilities and have created 260 jobs since 2002. Two more large expansions at as-yet unnamed facilities that will create 90 new jobs are in the works this year.

“I feel wonderful about all of those achievements,” Lane said. “It wasn’t just me, though, or Kathy that did those. Our EDC board has done so much. So have North Vernon and Jennings County officials, along with our state legislators past and present. Their ability to come together to work at a moment’s notice has paid off for Jennings County many times.”

Ertel said she is looking forward to the challenge.

“I have very big shoes to fill,” she said. “I’m grateful to the EDC board members for their vote of confidence and giving me the opportunity to help my community. This community means a lot to me.”

Ertel will be one of a relatively few women to head county economic development commissions in Indiana.

“I’m confident, but I know it will take a lot of effort,” she said. “I will work hard at this leadership role.”

Ertel, who started in the EDC office as administrative assistant six years ago, has already demonstrated her skill in directing the establishment of a training and education center in Jennings County earlier this year. The new center helps unemployed residents find new jobs, but also trains current employees in the area. The center is temporarily house in the First Financial Bank’s main branch in downtown North Vernon.

“Kathy will do a good job,” Lane predicted. “She is quite an asset for the EDC.”

Ertel, the former Kathy Cary, is the wife of Joe Ertel. They have two children, John, 12, and Kerigan, 8.

Among Ertel’s main projects early on will be promoting the development of a 147-acre industrial park adjacent to Muscatatuck. The EDC cannot officially act there until the land transfer on July 1 when various tracts are exchanged between the Indiana Family Social Services Administration, Purdue University, Indiana National Guard and Department of Natural Resources.

Also on the drawing board are plans for the construction of a new learning and training center at the Montrow Industrial Park area.

The official date for the Lane to leave the Jennings EDC position and Ertel to take over is May 20. A reception will be held at the EDC office for Lane on Tuesday, May 17, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Lane will not be taking the position being vacated by Connie Combs at the IDEC’s Madison office. Combs, who was project manager there, is leaving to become marketing manager for SEI Communications in Dillsboro.

© 2002 The Plain Dealer & Sun