Cathleen Tymoszenko has been named the head of the City’s Economic Development Department bringing more than 26 years of municipal experience to Geneva.

Tymoszenko served as the Director of Community Development for the Village of West Dundee since 2005. She will now lead Geneva’s Economic Development Department, which provides valuable retention, recruitment and training resources to attract and help businesses grow. The department also coordinates special event permits, promotes tourism opportunities, and distributes communication pieces to the City’s business community.

In West Dundee, Tymoszenko created and oversaw a department responsible for economic development, planning, zoning, historic preservation, building permits and code enforcement. She negotiated development approvals for newly annexed commercial, industrial and residential areas. Among her accomplishments, Tymoszenko spearheaded an effort to institute a TIF district to secure a large-scale commercial redevelopment and completed a new comprehensive plan for the village.

“I am pleased to welcome Cathleen as our new Economic Development Director,” City Administrator Mary McKittrick said. “Cathleen has extensive development experience in both planning and economic growth management. Her credentials are first class, and we are fortunate to have someone of her caliber and skill join our management team. I am confident that she will make a positive contribution to our organization as well as to our community’s quality of life.”

Tymoszenko replaces Ellen Divita, who resigned in October after seven years with Geneva’s Economic Development Department.

After graduating from DePaul University, Tymoszenko began her career as the Director of Tourism for the Village of Schiller Park in 1988. Six years later, she was promoted to the village’s Community Development Director. She completed her master’s degree in urban planning and policy from the University of Illinois-Chicago in 2003.

“I have enjoyed visiting the City of Geneva for many years and am excited to begin working to advance the community’s economic development goals,” Tymoszenko said. “I look forward to working with members of the community and successfully contributing to Geneva’s vibrant future.”

Her annual salary will be $112,000.

Tymoszenko will be joined by Jamie Heflin, who has been promoted to the City’s Business Development Specialist. During the past six years in a part-time administrative assistant role, Heflin utilized her marketing background to showcase Geneva as a destination for businesses, meetings and group outings. She has utilized her strong graphic design skills to create advertisements and brochures for the City and freelance clients.

Prior to working for Geneva, Heflin was a Marketing Manager for Prairie Rock Brewing Company and a Marketing Coordinator at Woodfield Mall. She has a communications degree from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Heflin replaces Paul Evans, who has transitioned over to Geneva’s Community Development Department as a City Planner.