Cheryl Brandenburgh CEcD has been named the 2014 Nebraska Economic Developers Association (NEDA) Professional of the Year in the service provider category.  Brandenburgh is an  external affairs manager for Black Hills Energy, a natural gas utility provider in Nebraska, primarily focused on economic development.

The award was presented by NEDA, the largest association of economic development professionals in Nebraska, at its fall conference in Columbus.  She was recognized for her outstanding role as a service provider working in all aspects of economic development and tirelessly giving her time to promote Nebraska at all levels.

"Cheryl's leadership in the field of economic development is beyond compare.  She serves as a role model for many of us, and I am thrilled that Cheryl is being recognized for all of her hard work" said Jennifer Wolf, President of the Nebraska Economic Developers Association.

Brandenburgh's career has spanned 20 years in the economic development field.  In addition to being employed by Black Hills Energy, she has served as the Business Recruitment Manager for the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, Norfolk Area Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Director and Marketing Coordinator for Vishay a Columbus industry.

Cheryl received her Master's in Business Administration from the University of Nebraska, attended Chamber Management Institute, attained her Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) designation, graduated from Economic Development Institute and was President of the Nebraska Economic Developers Association (NEDA) in 2004.  She is active in many economic development organizations on the local, state and national level.  She has become a mentor to many NEDA members, chamber executives and community volunteers.

In January 2014, the announcement of Tejas Tublar Products Inc. was a huge economic success for all of Nebraska and an added bonus for Northeast Nebraska.  With there being a problem of the volume of natural gas for the plant, Brandenburgh and the Black Hills Energy Team developed an innovative approach, and was able to put a plan into place to provide what the new industry needed.  Working with the Norfolk economic development group and other service providers, it was a successful recruitment effort of the $100 million plant, which is now under construction. The plant will employ 200 people.
Pat Haverty, Vice President of Economic Development for the Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development, said "Cheryl's quick response, accurate, professional responses to client requests for natural gas service information has been an invaluable asset to our project responses.  Her ability to communicate with both prospects and company executives makes her a valuable member of the Lincoln Economic Development team."

NEDA was founded in 1973 with the mission of supporting Nebraska's economic development growth and those professionals that work on a daily basis to promote growth.  NEDA's mission remains the same today with 350 members utilizing their expertise to continue to grow Nebraska's economy.

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