Staff
Mark Williams - Executive Director
“Mark” Williams has over 18 years experience in the practice of economic development, community development and regional planning. Mark has been the Executive Director for Growth Dimensions 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 in the areas of business attraction, expansion, enterprise zone administration, strategic initiatives for the development of New Uses Agricultural Technology Initiative and development of a Tollway Station Point Transit Oriented Development District, and 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 in the community development fields of strategic, comprehensive and vision planning, zoning administration, and code enforcement.
Mark currently serves as Vice Chair of the Illinois Development Council and serves on the Illinois Enterprise 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, and the Rock River Valley Entrepreneurship Center 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.
Kelly Galluzzo - Associate Director
Kelly Galluzzo has been the Communications Manager at Growth Dimensions since July of 2004. Kelly is charged to develop new internal and external communication strategies for Growth Dimensions, as well as the delivery of information, through newsletters, announcements, and website updates. She will also work closely with committee volunteers to aid in the implementation of action plans.
Kelly received her B.A. in Journalism/Communications from Northern Illinois University in 2001 and her M.A. in Communication Studies from NIU in 2004. Kelly has also completed the Basic Economic Development course through Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville and has begun further training towards certification through the Economic Development Institute-University of Oklahoma.
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.