EDA launches search for new executive director, board member, and SBDC consultant
After nearly six months without an executive director, the Cook County/Grand Marais Economic Development Authority has launched a search to fill the position.
The former executive director, Heidi Krampitz, resigned in July 2025. Shortly after, the EDA Board hired North Shore Development Company (NSDC) to oversee and manage the administrative tasks of the role while the board reviewed and modified the director’s job description.
With that process now complete, the EDA Board is actively recruiting for a new EDA executive director.
One responsibility change for the director role is the reduction of administrative tasks, such as compiling board meeting packets, drafting resolutions, grant management, and other duties.
The EDA Board approved continuing to contract with NSDC in 2026 so the new executive director “can focus on really the core of the business, and that is making those connections within the community and driving economic development,” said EDA President Peter Clissold.
NSDC is owned by Jason Hale, the former executive director of the Housing Redevelopment Authority (HRA). Theresa Bajda, the former EDA director, works for NSDC.
Clissold said that, given Bajda’s previous experience, “she’ll be able to get the new executive director up to speed, doing an onboarding that I don’t think an executive director has seen before.”
The EDA is accepting applications for the executive director position until noon on Friday, Jan. 23. Find the full job description here and the application form here.
The EDA Board will begin reviewing applications at the end of January and is expected to begin the first round of interviews in early February. Clissold said the EDA expects a new executive director to step into the role in March or April of 2026.
For years, the EDA executive director position has been a one-person role, responsible for all administrative duties, overseeing operations at the Superior National Golf Course, leading economic development efforts, and managing the Cedar Grove Business Park, among other responsibilities.
Following feedback from former executive directors on the challenges of the position, the EDA Board began eliminating or reducing various responsibilities from the role. A year ago, in January 2025, the EDA Board hired SVN Northco, a commercial real estate firm, to facilitate the sale of the golf course. The EDA also hired Mike Larson to act as a liaison for the sale.
Clissold told WTIP in January 2025, that the removal of golf course related duties from the EDA director position was to protect the EDA and alleviate golf course responsibilities from the position so the director can, “be focused on economic development and not get as has been in the past sucked into the golf course.”
The start of the new year will also bring a search for a new EDA board member. During the Dec. 16 EDA meeting, the board recognized Howard Hedstrom for his long-standing service on the board. Hedstrom’s term will end on Dec. 31, 2025.
Another position undergoing a period of change in 2026 is the Grand Marais consultant role with the Northland Small Business Development Center (SBDC).
The EDA annually contracts with Northland SBDC to provide support to small businesses through consultations, training workshops, financial planning, marketing, and more. Pat Campanaro held the Grand Marais consultant position for numerous years, and more recently, Pete Mott.
Clissold said the EDA is actively recruiting for a new business consultant to fill the part-time position in 2026. The role is an independent consultant position, with an expected workload of about 50 hours per month. Learn more about the position here.
WTIP’s Kalli Hawkins spoke with EDA President Peter Clissold about the changes within the EDA and the open positions. Audio from the interview is below.
Kalli Hawkins December 31, 2025
