Economic and community development offices in Kane County municipalities are seeing some new faces.

The city of Geneva announced Monday that 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. Tymoszenko replaces Ellen Divita, who resigned in October after seven years with Geneva’s Economic Development Department to take a position as community development director for the city of DeKalb.

Geneva’s Economic Development Department provides 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.

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.

SOURCE: city of Geneva press release