Bill Hanna to head RDA into regional future

In one of the biggest stories we've reported here on our site, Valparaiso City Administrator Bill Hanna has been chosen to head up the RDA. Congratulations Bill, welcome to regional leadership, a well deserved promotion. Valparaiso will miss his abilities, and I know Mayor Costas is already looking for a person to try their hand at filling his very capable shoes.

From the Times

"The Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority named Valparaiso's city administrator as the organization's new executive director at a special meeting Friday.

William Hanna, 35, is set to leave his city post and take the RDA helm April 1.

He replaces Tim Sanders, who resigned recently to become associate vice president for governmental relations at Purdue University Calumet.

RDA Chairman Leigh Morris said nearly 300 people applied for the executive director's post from across the country and abroad.

"Bill Hanna is the best fit for this organization," Morris said immediately after the meeting that approved Hanna's appointment. "Bill brings a wealth of experience in planning, economic development and operations. He knows and understands the needs and concerns of local government, and he has great insights into the opportunities our region has to grow and prosper."

I personally talked to Bill yesterday after the announcement to congratulate he and his family. From my perspective the search could have interviewed 1,000 candidates and they weren't going to get a guy that would work as hard for NW Indiana as Bill.