The ERDA put out the following press release.
The Enid Regional Development Alliance (ERDA) Board of Directors has named Charlene Flanery as the next Executive Director of the economic development organization. Flanery was approved on Thursday during the ERDA Board of Directors meeting after the search committee made the recommendation.
Flanery is the current Executive Director of the Blackwell Industrial and Blackwell Economic Development Authorities and has been with the organizations for six years. “I am grateful for the opportunity to serve as the Executive Director of the Enid Regional Development Alliance, said Flanery. Enid is a community full of assets, making it a dream community for economic developers. I am looking forward to working with the City of Enid, local businesses and industries, Vance Air Force Base, each of the education institutions, and state and local partners to focus attraction efforts on targeted industries and identify ways to help those industries that have had long-term investments in the community to continue growing.”
During Flanery’s time in Blackwell, she helped lead business retention and expansion efforts that have allowed various businesses to remain in Blackwell. Not only did she establish a local funding mechanism for economic development growth, but she has also secured state-level funding to help support existing businesses and infrastructure and site development for future development. Flanery has also been very involved at the local and state level serving on the Chamber of Commerce, Blackwell Community Foundation, Northwest Oklahoma Alliance, North Central Oklahoma Workforce Excellence Board, and Select Oklahoma Board of Directors.
“The ERDA Board of Directors look forward to working with Charlene to continue our efforts in making Enid a great place to live, work, and grow, said Matt Parrish, ERDA Board Chair. Charlene values business retention and expansion while having a clear vision of how we can attract new business and industry. We look forward to the growth of ERDA under her leadership.”
Charlene is married to her husband, Michael, and they have one daughter, Kristyn, who is a junior in high school. Flanery is expected to start as executive Director on February 27.
