PRESS RELEASE
TO: Media (for immediate release)
FROM: Steve Gardner, Chair
Joint Powers Board
DATE: February 25, 2025
RE: Finalists for Executive Director position
The Kandiyohi County Economic Development Joint Powers Board has selected four individuals to interview for the position of Executive Director. The finalists are Edgar Cabezas, Barbara Carr, Michelle Marotzke and Lisa Zens (see separate page for information on the finalists).
Interviews of the finalists will be held Friday, March 21, beginning with a Meet & Greet from 8-9:30 a.m. at The Commons at the MinnWest Technology Campus, 1707 Technology Drive NE, Willmar, MN. The board will then take the candidates on a bus tour around the community with community stakeholders. Interviews of the candidates will begin at 1:15 p.m.
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Media inquiries may be directed to:
Steve Gardner
Joint Powers Board Chair
Kandiyohi County Economic Development
320-979-4267
Executive Director Finalists
Edgar Cabezas currently serves as an Economic Development Specialist with the North River Commission where he has been employed for four months. He has also served as an Advisor with Latinx Digital Leaders Now for the past two and a half years. Prior to this, Mr. Cabezas served as Regional Outreach with Lead for America for two years, as a Board Member with the Illinois Local Government Hispanic Network for two years, and as a Business Relations Manager with Talent Workforce Strategy – World Business Chicago for one and a half years. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Northeastern Illinois University.
Barbara Carr currently serves as the Economic Development Manager with the City of Vacaville, California, where she has been in the role since 2024. Prior to this, she served as the Economic Development Manager with the City and County of Broomfield, Colorado, for two years, as the Economic Development Director with the City of New Port Richey, Florida, for seven months, and in Business and Economic Development with the City of Fort Myers, Florida, for two years. Ms. Carr holds bachelor’s degrees in Communication and Political Science from the University of Minnesota – Duluth and master’s degrees in Public Administration and Nonprofit Management from Hamline University.
Michelle Marotzke currently serves as the Business Development Manager with Kandiyohi County Economic Development where she has been employed for one year. She is also currently serving as the Interim Executive Director. Prior to this, she served as an Economic Development Professional with the Mid-Minnesota Development Commission for three and a half years. Ms. Marotzke was also employed by the Willmar Municipal Utilities for five years and held the positions of Power Resources Analyst, Safety Officer, and Energy Services & Marketing Representative. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and a master’s degree in Business Administration, both from Southwest Minnesota State University.
Lisa Zens currently serves as the Vice President of Operations/Owner of RLZ Trucking, LLC where she has been in the role for eight years. Prior to this, she served as the Executive Director for the Sioux Metro Growth Alliance & Harrisburg Economic Development for one and a half years, as the Office Manager with Ag Resource Management for three years, and as a Value Added Agriculture Business Development Representative with the Governor’s Office of Economic Development/Department of Agriculture – South Dakota for two years. Ms. Zens holds an associate degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting from National American University.