Linda Parkowski is transforming Kent County one new job at a time.
As the executive director of the Kent Economic Partnership, Inc. (KEP), she has to lead at all levels – not only with her own team of employees, but by also working with many partners in hopes of attracting, retaining and expanding the business scene in Kent County.
“The key I try to abide by is ‘Stay in your lane’ and to have meetings in advance,” she said. “Setting expectations of responsibilities is crucial. With each partner taking on their required piece, much can be accomplished.”
The KEP was originally a county-based program, beginning in 2008. Ten years later, it was recognized and turned into its own nonprofit when the Greater Kent Committee stepped in – that’s when Parkowski stepped up as its executive director.
Since then, 32 economic projects were launched in the region, resulting in the creation of 1,370 paying jobs and $287 million in investments, including the $91 million Delmarva Corrugated Packaging plant outside Dover.
“The largest challenge when I started was both a benefit and a hindrance,” she told the Delaware Business Times. “Kent County up till 2018 did not have a data-based economic plan, but the benefit was that the landscape was clear, and I was able to work the plan which had been developed by the Greater Kent Committee.”
Prior to assuming this role, Parkowski was the acting director of the state’s Division of Small Business and, before that role, was Delaware’s director of tourism where she instituted the state’s first multi-platform branding campaign, growing the tourism industry from $1.5 billion to $3.3 billion annually. Parkowski also has prior experience in the hospitality area.
“What I’ve learned in these positions,” Parkowski says, “is that you are only as good as the team around you, no matter what the industry or sector. I was fortunate enough to have good mentors along the way, and my job now is to help prepare the future leaders.”
