Ron Tillery has been named the 2023 Nebraska Economic Developers Association (NEDA) Professional of the Year in the Community Category.Tillery, who spent six years as the executive director of the Fremont Area Chamber of Commerce, is the Executive Director of Phelps County Development Corporation (PCDC). He is recognized for his accomplishments and dedicated service to economic growth in the State of Nebraska.Tillery has been with the Phelps County Development Corporation since May 2016. He is the primary contact for companies considering south central Nebraska as a new home or additional location.
“Ron has the ability to lift others up, he has a desire to share what has been successful for him, and how to replicate that success. He is at the top of his game when it comes to recruitment. He can sense if a project is not going to be right for Holdrege, but he works his hardest to make sure there is a place in Nebraska where the project can go,” said Jen McKeone, Cozad Develpment Corporation. “Ron has been involved with the improvement of the Holdrege downtown, housing, childcare, and industrial park development.”
Tillery’s team enticed Becton Dickinson to invest $100 million to expand operations in Holdrege in 2021. He also played a key role in improvements to Holdrege’s downtown, including a new brewery, theater and dining establishments. He was instrumental in Holdrege being named the community of the year in 2022.
McKeone said Tillery is a great mentor.
“He always makes sure that no matter what he is working on, he is first and foremost promoting Nebraska,” she said. “Ron works harder behind the scenes than anyone in our profession, attending all trade shows, networking events, and regional meetings to further economic development.”
