Over the river and into the woods does Gail Noggle go – literally.
Noggle has climbed fences and traversed woods to show potential employers available real estate in Republic. As director of planning and development for the city, there are few places Noggle won’t boldly go if it means bringing more jobs to the town of roughly 15,000 people.
“I approach all this development just like I did my own business or when I was in charge of a department in corporate America,” Noggle says. “I think I’m more aggressive.”
It’s working. During her seven years with Republic, the city has added more than 900 jobs to the employment base, including at least 500 in 2014.
Noggle is quick to credit strong city leadership with a vision that matches hers and a willingness to give her a lot of freedom. “I’ve been very blessed for the autonomy they’ve allowed me to have, and we’re able to get a lot done,” she says. “They don’t tie my hands much, which makes a big difference.”
Noggle worked first in banking, hotel management, tourism development and financial planning. She was even a business owner. Armed with her Series 7, 65 and 63 licenses, Noggle opened Gail Noggle Investment Firm, an ING financial advisory. When she was approached by a buyer seven years later, Noggle sold her business in 2005 and found herself unemployed for the first time since she was 15.
She enjoyed the break, but work beckoned when the Republic Area Chamber of Commerce needed an executive director. Noggle stepped in, which began her education in the city of Republic and led to her current job. She praises previous leadership that recognized Republic’s assets – its proximity to Interstate 44 and James River Freeway as well as abundant land – and invested in the infrastructure that helps attract employers.
Noggle is busy. Her work helped secure McLane Distribution Center – Republic was chosen from more than 50 potential sites – which has added more than 400 jobs to the city. Other notable wins that have increased employment include Red Monkey Foods moving its headquarters from Mount Vernon; a new Ashley Furniture HomeStore warehouse; Watson Metal Masters Inc. relocating from Nixa; and new facilities for RepMo Warehousing LLC and Wilbert Funeral Services Inc.
“In the public sector, you have to be a good steward and realize you are using taxpayer dollars to move projects through,” Noggle says. “At the end of the day, you have to be transparent. Transparency is key.”[[In-content Ad]]
