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Great Bend Economic Development president will leave position
jessica milsap
Jessica Milsap

Jessica Milsap will step down as president of Great Bend Economic Development (GBED) Inc. to “return to my first loves” of selling real estate and personal training.

She will remain in the GBED position until her replacement is hired.

“I will stay on the job and help with the transition to the next president,” Milsap said. “I have agreed to do that.

“I have missed both selling real estate and serving as a personal trainer more than I thought I would,” she commented.

Milsap also noted that “I appreciate the opportunity afforded me by the board to serve in this position and will miss working on projects to make Great Bend thrive. It is a wonderful and rewarding job.”

The president emphasized that the GBED Board of Directors “is easy to work with and will help in any way they can. The members are a professionally diverse group that brings a wide range of experiences to the organization.

“The board strives to unite the community and make things happen,” she added. “The common goal is to help Great Bend grow and prosper.”

Mark Calcara, GBED board chairman, said “Jessica is a real talent and has excelled in the position. She established a solid foundation for the next president.

“Even though Jessica is stepping down, she plans to be an active volunteer,” Calcara added. “This demonstrates her genuine commitment to make Great Bend the best it can be. We wish her the best and appreciate her devotion to our community.”

Dennis Neeland, board member, echoed some of Calcara’s comments, while noting “we are saddened to see Jessica leave the position. She has done an excellent job of getting the ball rolling and will leave the position with something to build upon. We wish her well.”

Milsap started in her new position Feb. 1; GBED was officially established Oct. 31, 2019, as a city-funded organization.

Recently, she and the board launched the Business Summit project, which has led to the creation of a Facebook page called “Shop Central Kansas Business” to encourage people to support local stores and companies. The slogan is “Look Here First.”

So far, there have been three Business Summits and a few more are in the works. These virtual or in-person sessions offer an avenue to brainstorming sessions with local business owners and managers.