Golden Shovel Agency

We asked the team, "How would you describe Golden Shovel in just 6 words?" Their answers do not disappoint. Our whole team is here to help you and your community! . . . . . . #EconomicDevelopment #EconDev #CommunityDevelopment #6WordStory #GoldenShovelPR Aaron Brossoit, Ron Kresha, John Marshall, Bethany Quinn, Greg Kolbjornsen, Amanda Jenkins, Warren Westcott, Audrey Anderson, CDMP, PCM, Nash Bochner, Victor Perez S., Spencer Ralph, Mckenna Burris, Michelle Schriever, Chuck Friedbauer, Ellen Williams, Laura Christie, Daija W., Darren Varley

Listen to our latest ShovelTalk episode featuring Chris Suozzi, aka Coach Swazz, Executive VP at GCEDC. Discover his innovative strategies for engaging youth in high-demand careers and building a strong talent pipeline. Tune in now! https://hubs.ly/Q02_GsF10

“One Goal. One Team.” That is the motto for the Align Team in their recent succession planning process. The Align Team, which works with nonprofits, government, and businesses to strengthen communities, approached their leadership transition with careful planning and inclusivity. Brittany Ashby, who was promoted to President and Managing Director, and the leadership team understood the importance of involving the entire organization in the process. What stood out in their approach was the level of involvement. Every team member and board member had a voice in the process. This 360° insight helped them recognize a critical gap… While they were prepared for executive transitions, they hadn’t addressed the need to build up the next level of leadership. As a result, they promoted three individuals to VP roles and hired new staff to support the growing team. “It’s been a lot of work to build a new leadership team and help them feel comfortable in executive roles,” Brittany shared. They invested heavily in training, leadership development, and coaching to ensure the new team had the skills and confidence to thrive. Their strategic, inclusive approach has paid off. The Align Team and Brittany's story is a great reminder that leadership transitions don’t just impact the top—they ripple throughout the entire organization. Including everyone in the process builds trust, encourages buy-in, and ensures a smoother path forward. You can find more successful leadership transition case studies in our latest whitepaper! https://hubs.ly/Q02-MTCk0 #EconomicDevelopment #SuccessionPlanning #LeadershipTransitions #Whitepaper #GoldenShovelResources

It’s time to celebrate! Happy Birthday to Ron! Here’s to a wonderful year ahead filled with growth, laughter, and achievements. 🎉

Happy Birthday, Kenna! Wishing you a day as fantastic as you are and a future full of success and happiness. 🥳

Looking for some delicious and fun recipes to make this holiday season? Check out our Golden Shovel Holiday Cookbook! A collection of recipes from our team ranging from savory charcuterie to the best sweet treats! 🍪🥧🍽️

The power of planning. A lesson we can all learn when it comes to succession planning for Economic Development Organizations. When Dennis Fraise, CEcD, President and CEO of the Lee County Economic Development Group, began thinking about his eventual transition out of the organization, he knew one thing: planning early would be key to a smooth process. With retirement on the horizon, Dennis didn’t wait until the last minute to think about succession. Instead, he and his board started preparing nearly two years in advance. Why? Because as Dennis explains, "When you plan for succession in advance, you can hire the leader the board wants without compromise." This early planning not only allowed his organization to identify the best person for the role but also gave them the time to make the transition feel natural and seamless—both internally and within the community. The new leader could gradually take on more visibility, giving everyone confidence in the change ahead. Dennis’ story is a great reminder that a well-planned leadership transition doesn’t just benefit the organization—it also creates stability for the community and stakeholders. If you’re looking ahead to your own leadership changes, there’s no better time to start planning than now. Want more insights on creating a solid succession plan? Our latest whitepaper dives deeper into best practices and real-world examples. Download it here! https://hubs.ly/Q02-LC930 #EconomicDevelopment #SuccessionPlanning #LeadershipTransitions #Whitepaper #GoldenShovelResources

Check out our recap of our time at the Mid-America EDC Competitiveness Conference! #EconomicDevelopment #conference #Columbusohio #ohiostate

Downtowns are the heart of economic growth! This holiday season, learn why revitalizing your downtown is key to boosting community pride and business success. Check out our latest article for tips and insights! 🏙️✨https://hubs.ly/Q02-KXrn0

A big thank-you to 7 Rivers Alliance for organizing such an incredible conference in November at Western Wisconsin Technical College! Our CEO, Aaron Brossoit, had the opportunity to present on the transformative role of AI in economic development, alongside a great presentation from Dairyland Power Cooperative. These discussions showcased the growing influence of AI across industries. Check out the article for a full summary! https://hubs.ly/Q02-Krnb0