Staff
C. Mark Williams - Executive Director
Mark Williams has over 20 years experience in the practice of economic development, community development and regional planning. Mark has been the Executive Director for Growth Dimensions for Belvidere and Boone County since January 2002. Prior to Growth Dimensions, Mark held the position of Director of Community and Economic Development for the City of Salem, and as a Community Planner for the North Central Illinois Council of Governments.
Mark is responsible for providing economic development leadership for Boone County in the areas of business attraction, expansion, retention, enterprise zone administration, and economic development strategic initiatives including the implementation of the New Uses AgTech Initiative and development of the Tollway Station Point Transit Oriented Development District, along with other special projects.
Overall, Mark has done extensive work in the field of community and economic development including, marketing, prospect development, incentive negotiations, downtown redevelopment, community bank corporations, and the administration of grants, enterprise zones, tax increment financing, and revolving loan funds. Mark also has extensive work experience in the community development fields of strategic, comprehensive and vision planning, zoning administration, and code enforcement.
Mark currently serves as immediate past chairman of the Illinois Development Council and has served on the Illinois Enterprise Zone Association Board of Directors. Mark also serves on the following local and regional Boards: The Rockford Area Economic Development Council Board, Boone/Winnebago County Workforce Investment Board, the Rock River Valley Entrepreneurship Center Board, and the Illinois/Rock Valley College Small Business Development Center Advisory Board.
Mark has a BS degree in Geography from Southern Illinois University as well as Graduate Studies in Regional Planning and the completion of the Certified Economic Development Course. DPDoFcuments Complete Click Here & Upgrade Expanded Features Unlimited Pages
Donna McDaniel - Office Manager
Donna McDaniel returned to Growth Dimensions in April of 2007 after taking a brief hiatus. Donna has an extensive background in accounting and office management. She currently manages the bookkeeping for the organization, coordinates office operations and supports the Executive Director & other professional staff. A Boone County native, she graduated from North Boone High School and also attended Rock Valley College and Northern Illinois University.