Tim Eckerle

Executive Director

Contact Tim at: teckerle@grantcounty.com

Since 1984, Tim has been the Executive Director of the Grant County Economic Growth Council, Marion, Indiana. As the Growth Council's initial director, Tim has been responsible for developing the organizations mission and overseeing its development. During his tenure, the Growth Council has participated in attracting 22 diverse new manufacturers such as furniture, plastic lids manufacturers, and an ethanol plant as well as participated in over 12 billon dollars worth of modernization and expansion projects. In 2008, he actively participated with the City of Marion to recruit TriEnda, LLC, a thermal plastics pallet manufacturer from Wisconsin to Marion.

These projects and many others have garnered national recognition by the National League of Cities, National Association of Counties, Site Selection Magazine and Mid America Economic Development Council. Marion was named as one of the Top 100 Small Cities for Economic Development from 1989 to 1999 by CoreNet and as a Top Economic Development Group in 2005 by Site Selection Magazine.

Prior to joining the Growth Council, Tim was Director of Planning and Development of Harvey, Illinois; Assistant Director of City of South Bend, Indiana; Redevelopment Commission and a Planner with the Area Plan Commission of St. Joseph County, Indiana, and the City of Elkhart.

Tim is a Past President of the Indiana Economic Development Association, Northeast Midwest Leadership Council and was named as one of the Top Ten Young Economic Developers in the USA by the Industrial Development Council, as well as several inclusions in Who's Who in Real Estate Development. In 2008 Tim received an Honorary Secretary of Commerce award from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. Governor Mitch Daniels bestow a Distinguished Hoosier Award in 2009. Tim has been a speaker at the Center for Automotive Research's prestigious Management Briefing Seminar, as well as for the National Council for Urban Economic Advance Training Seminars, National Association of Counties, Indiana Association of Cities and Towns, Indiana Association of Counties, and other regional organizations.

Tim is a graduate of Indiana University.

Erin Wheeler

Marketing & Communications Director

Contact Erin at: ewheeler@grantcounty.com

Erin Wheeler joined the Grant County Economic Growth Council team in June of 2011. With a B.A. in Marketing awarded by Cedarville University, Erin fulfills the role of Marketing and Communications Director.

During her college years, Erin participated in a variety of internships and experiences to prepare her for her professional career. She worked as a sales management intern for Enterprise Rent-a-Car. Erin won first place in the Summer Intern Project after presenting a strategic plan to regional managers about improving branch efficiency and growth. In the spring of 2010, Erin studied abroad in Ireland, and interned with the fundraising department of Camara, a non-profit organization that refurbishes computers to supply to disadvantaged schools in Africa and Ireland. In 2009, Erin played a key role in Cedarville's public relations while she represented the school through the Lifeline Players traveling drama ministry team. Cedarville University inducted Erin into the Delta Mu Delta National Honor Society of Business Administration. This accomplishment marked the end of a successful college career that has helped to prepare her for a future in the business world.

Prior to her position as Marketing and Communications Director at the Growth Council, Erin acted as Director for Cardinal Greenway of Grant County.

Erin currently lives in Grant County with her husband. She enjoys cooking, playing piano, and anything outdoors.

Emily Moore

Manager of Business Development

Emily Moore became a part of the Growth Council team in January of 2012 as the Manager of Business Development and Support.

Prior to working at GCEGC, Emily worked in Washington, DC, as an Editorial Assistant and support member for multiple publications. She received her Bachelors of Science in Professional Writing from Taylor University in May 2011. During her time there she served as Freshman Class President, Co-Director of the Social Justice Cabinet, and wasa Christian Leadership Scholar for all four years.

In her role with GCEGC, Emily works on business development projects like integrating the student talent from local universities to serve local small businesses. She will also be overseeing the Revolving Loan Fund, which provides resources and support for local entrepreneurs.

Emily currently lives in Grant County. She enjoys ethnic cooking, reading, and traveling throughout the US and abroad.

Cathryn Rohrman

Project Manager

Cathryn Rohrman (formerly Cathryn Frazier) joined the Grant County Economic Growth Council team in January of 2011, as an intern while finishing her senior year at Indiana Wesleyan University. After completing the semester with the Growth Council, she graduated with a B.A. in Marketing and Business Administration from Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU), got married to her high school sweetheart, and moved to Israel to enjoy four months abroad with her husband, who studied at Jerusalem University College.

Of all the things she missed while away, the Growth Council was one of those missed loves and was thrilled to come back as a fulltimer in January 2012. She enthusiastically looks forward to working with the Growth Council, the community and Grant County professionals.

Prior to her employment at the Growth Council, Cathryn participated in several internships focusing mostly on sales, management, event planning and marketing. She served as a member of the Student Activities Council for 2 years at Indiana Wesleyan University, planning events for the IWU student body. She interned at the customer-focused Nordstrom's in Indianapolis and received the award of "Intern of the Year" in 2010. Beyond working for us as the Intern during her senior year, she worked as the Management Intern for the Center for Life Calling and Leadership for IWU, where she managed and organized work for nine other college interns. Beyond her accomplishments as a business and marketing student, she is also a qualified wedding and event planner through QC School of Wedding Planning, so in short, she knows how to plan a party!

She currently lives in Marion where she is probably hosting some friends while cooking up something "yummy" and planning a party for any and every occasion.