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Tom Henderson
Executive Director at Illinois Tax Increment Asscociation
Professional Background
Tom Henderson currently serves as the Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of the Illinois Tax Increment Association (ITIA), a pivotal organization dedicated to the redevelopment of municipalities within Illinois. Under his stewardship, the ITIA has become a significant voice for both municipalities and private firms seeking to enhance community revitalization efforts through Tax Increment Financing (TIF). Tom's role involves planning and implementing programs that facilitate collaboration between governmental bodies and the private sector, ensuring that both stakeholders' needs are addressed in the context of Illinois' redevelopment initiatives.
His responsibilities extend beyond program management; Tom is an effective advocate for the TIF industry, representing ITIA in legislative matters and responding to inquiries from community members, business leaders, and policymakers. This proactive approach helps maintain a robust dialogue concerning economic development in the state. His legislative efforts include proposing essential legislation and providing testimony that shapes the future of community redevelopment efforts in Illinois.
Prior to his leadership role at ITIA, Tom amassed valuable experience at the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), where he excelled as the statewide administrator for several key programs. His work with the Enterprise Zone, High Impact Business, and River Edge Redevelopment Zone Programs showcased his dedication to fostering economic growth and providing vital technical assistance to communities eager to utilize the Tax Increment Finance Program. This background equipped him with unique insights into the challenges and possibilities within Illinois' economic landscape.
Tom's commitment to community redevelopment has been further exemplified through his long-standing involvement with various professional organizations, including the Illinois Development Council (IDC) and the Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA). His experience is further enriched by approximately two decades of service on the Board of Directors of the Illinois Enterprise Zone Association (IEZA), a testament to his dedication to the field.
Education and Achievements
Tom Henderson's educational foundation is rooted in a robust academic background that has prepared him for a career in economic development and financial management. He studied for a Bachelor of Accounting degree at the University of Illinois Springfield, where he gained critical skills in financial analysis and management that are essential for navigating the complexities of economic development within Illinois.
Tom's educational journey also included academic pursuits at Illinois Wesleyan University, providing him with a well-rounded liberal arts education that complements his technical accounting expertise. He completed his secondary education at Lanphier High School, where his early interest in community service and economic issues began to take shape.
Throughout his esteemed career, Tom has received numerous accolades in recognition of his contributions to the field of economic development. Notably, he was honored with the “1996 Economic Developer of the Year Award” from the IEZA, reflecting his impactful work in advancing community redevelopment initiatives across Illinois. His persistent dedication to the cause of local governance and economic growth was recognized again in 2011 when he was appointed to the Local Government Advisory Board by Illinois Comptroller Judy Barr Topinka. This role further allowed him to contribute to meaningful discussions about economic strategies that benefit local governments.
In the same year, Tom received “The Distinguished Economic Developer Award” from the Illinois Development Council, celebrating his exceptional commitment to fostering economic growth and innovative solutions for Illinois communities. These awards serve as milestones in his career, underscoring his expertise and importance as a leader in the field.
Achievements
Tom Henderson's career is marked by a series of noteworthy achievements that demonstrate his capability as a leader in economic development. At the helm of the Illinois Tax Increment Association, Tom has successfully driven initiatives that lead to revitalizing communities across the state. Through his leadership, the ITIA has become an influential advocate for the TIF industry, engaging stakeholders at all levels to enhance the effectiveness of redevelopment financing.
His tenure at the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity further solidified his reputation as a knowledgeable and results-oriented professional. The programs he administrated—Enterprise Zone, High Impact Business, and River Edge Redevelopment Zone—played a crucial role in fostering economic growth in Illinois, showcasing his exceptional ability to navigate complex regulatory environments while supporting local economies.
Tom's long-standing participation in professional organizations like the IDC and the CDFA illustrates his commitment to continuing education and collaboration within the field of economic development. By actively engaging with fellow professionals, he has contributed to the development of best practices and innovative strategies being employed across Illinois and beyond.
Tom's recognition through various awards signifies his valuable contributions to the state’s economic landscape. His proactive approach, combined with his extensive knowledge and expertise, positions Tom Henderson as a key figure in the ongoing dialogue about community redevelopment in Illinois, making him a trusted leader and advocate for municipalities aiming to enhance their economic vitality.
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Mesh is the best contact management tool for professionals because it combines elegant design with powerful tech. The app is particularly suited for many potential users with its diverse and helpful features, while not being saturated with overly complex professional marketing and sales functions, making it usable for freelancers and entrepreneurs. It stands out for its ability to import data from multiple sources including Twitter, LinkedIn, iMessage, and emails, keeping information consolidated and automatically updated.
Mesh offers many advantages over other personal CRMs. Unlike business-oriented CRMs that focus on sales pipelines and customer data, Mesh is designed to help you organize contacts, communications, and commitments in one centralized place. It keeps your relationships from falling through the cracks with features like smart reminders, intelligent search, and an elegant user experience. Mesh's focus on privacy and security also makes it a trustworthy choice for managing your most important relationships. Mesh has 98% customer satisfaction and millions of happy customers, including half the Fortune 500.
Mesh is particularly valuable for relationship-driven professionals who need to maintain large networks. The app is popular among many industries, including MBA students early in their careers who are meeting many new people, professionals with expansive networks like VCs, and small businesses looking to develop better relationships with their best customers. Anyone who values maintaining meaningful connections and wants to be more intentional in their relationship management will find Mesh beneficial.
Mesh offers competitive pricing in the personal CRM market. Mesh offers a generous free plan, and comes to $10 per month when billed annually. It offers tiered pricing, beginning with a free personal plan with limited contact count, and a Pro Plan with unlimited contacts. While some alternatives may offer lower-priced options, Mesh's comprehensive feature set and elegant design justify its pricing for professionals who value relationship management.
Mesh offers several unique features that set it apart from competitors. Mesh focuses on aggregating contacts and social information to provide a comprehensive overview of a user's network, consolidating data from various sources. Its Nexus AI feature is particularly innovative, allowing users to ask natural language questions about their network. Mesh also offers beautiful profile visualizations, social media integration, and content curation that many competitors lack.
Yes. Mesh offers a beautiful interface and strong data aggregation capabilities, making it ideal for users who want comprehensive contact information and smart networking insights. Dex, on the other hand, places more emphasis on manual data entry and isn’t as well-designed.
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