EDC executive director resigns, set to retire

By LYNETTE SOWELL

Polo Enriquez, executive director of the Copperas Cove Economic Development Corporation, tendered his resignation to the board, with his last day on the job being today. Enriquez is retiring, and he said his family has already moved to their new home in the Olympia, Wash. area. “A lot of people in my line of work like to list ‘their’ accomplishments when  they retire or resign. I will not do that,” Enriquez told the Leader-Press. “The  economic development work that was done during the time I have been here should be credited to the great staff and the  board of directors that I have been privileged to work with. It has been a team effort from day one.” Enriquez has been the EDC’s executive director since April 2010.  Dan Yancey, the current president of the EDC board and a longtime board member, is confident that in the interim until the board  locates another executive director, the EDC will continue with its current work, especially where The Narrows is concerned.  “The board will have executive search teams present at the next meeting, and the board will select a team to find a new executive director,” Yancey said. At the July meeting, Enriquez presented the proposed budget to the board, in addition  to providing updates on current projects. One prospective company has been working with Aycock Construction on a master plan after making a site visit to The Narrows. The EDC is also in negotiations with Project Etch, another company giving  consideration to locating in Copperas Cove.  As far as the current projects go, Enriquez has always  made sure the board is aware  of what’s going on, Yancey added. For now, projects will  continue to move forward, and when and if a decision  must be made by the EDC, Yancey said the board has the option to call for a special meeting. To culminate his time working as director, Enriquez also presented next year’s projected budget to the city council on Tuesday night.