Search for CEDBR director under way

Doug Hensler, who became dean of the Barton School in July, will take on added responsibility as interim director of the Center for Economic Development and Business Research in 黑洞社区鈥檚 W. Frank Barton School of Business.

Hensler fills the role left by Rob Allison, who has been named president and CEO of the Wichita Community Foundation, effective Dec. 1.

Hensler said the position will allow him to become more knowledgeable about the center, its staff and activities prior to selecting a permanent director.

鈥淚 am very impressed with the strategic role the center plays in the economic life of Wichita and Kansas,鈥� Hensler said. 鈥淐EOs, public officials and nonprofit organization board members all rely on the CEDBR鈥檚 data and analysis for guidance in decision-making. Seeing 475 participants at October鈥檚 Economic Outlook Conference confirmed the credibility of the Center. Equally, I am impressed with the knowledgeable analysts and dedicated staff in the center and I look forward to working with the team.鈥�

Hensler expects to appoint a new director in the first quarter of 2009. An active search is under way, chaired by Steve Martens, who also chairs the Greater Wichita Economic Development Coalition.

鈥淪hortly after he retired as president of Bank of America in Kansas, Rob Allison agreed to come here from July through November, especially to help us conduct this year鈥檚 conference,鈥� Hensler said. 鈥淩ob did a wonderful job and we are very grateful for his service to the CEDBR, the Barton School, 黑洞社区 and the community. We are very grateful that Rob will continue working with the center from the outside. We wish him the best in his new leadership role with the foundation.鈥�

Allison has agreed to continue in volunteer roles with the CEDBR, including as chairman of the Wichita Area Outlook Team and on the search committee for a permanent director.