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Tom Flavin hasn't been on the job long enough to decorate his office or have business cards printed, but the flip chart pages inked with challenges, goals and expectations that line his office walls are an indication that his priority is getting down to business.

Flavin, who will fill the role of executive director for the Economic Development Partnership, brings nearly 25 years of professional economic development and city management experience to Moffat County.

Challenges are nothing new to Flavin, and the idea of adapting tried and true practices to this area appeals to him.

"I enjoy professional challenges," he said. "My past success has been directly related to the challenges I faced."

Since the resignation of former economic development director Wally Ralston in January, the EDP board has written and approved new bylaws, developed a cohesive board and performed a rigorous search for the right candidate to fill important shoes.

Flavin has a vision for Moffat County, but he doesn't presume to know all of the answers.

"You can't effectively run an organization if your approach doesn't include the stakeholders," he said. "Stakeholders should have the opportunity to participate in the action plan process, as well as in future endeavors," he said.

Flavin conveyed a high energy level and a positive 'can do' attitude to the selection committee, EDP board member Dave Fleming said. Although the board considered local candidates, Flavin was the unanimous choice because his past success in similar positions would allow him to contribute to this community immediately.

"We were really focused on finding somebody who had been there and done that and knew the obstacles that had to be overcome," Fleming said. "He made us feel that he had the background, energy, focus and foresight to move us in the right direction."

The first step in the right direction is developing an action plan and enhancing the visibility and credibility of the EDP, according to the 2004 partnership objectives.

"There's a lot of energy, enthusiasm and expectation, now it's time to do something," Flavin said.

Fleming said that the board envisions Flavin immediately becoming a member of the community, getting out to meet people and finding out how the partnership can support the community.

"Stakeholders have to see value in the economic development effort, and we have to be able to demonstrate real value in being a part of this effort," Flavin said. "We've got to be able to show our investors what they are buying into."

Flavin envisions working with the membership committee to identify key stakeholders and proactively talk to them from a community perspective as well as an individual business perspective.

"Economic development is not real tangible sometimes, but we can make progress with his leadership. We have a pretty focused and excited board to get this thing where it needs to be, and overcome all of the things of the past," Fleming said. "We have reached a milestone and now we just have to put our noses to the grindstone."

Marketing Craig and Moffat County is at the forefront of local concern and Flavin said that pinpointing economic niches unique to the area will be the key to the success of the organization.

" If you position yourself on the cutting edge and look at every opportunity, you will set yourself up to be successful," he said.

Creating a broader Yampa Valley effort will also be a focus for Flavin.

"If we can play to mutual strengths, we will all reap the benefits of working together as a region," he said.

Assessing the strengths and weaknesses of the community and how to capitalize on opportunities will also be an equally large part of Flavin's initial job description.

"I intend to work closely with city and county officials," he said. "I have a background in city management, so I understand how this process works. The single most important element is developing a relationship with the local land use authority, because they have more impact on cost and ease of doing business than anything else," he said.

The overwhelming support for Flavin will help him in his new position.

"We have a strong consensus between the membership and the board that Tom is the right guy to help us move forward," Fleming said.

City Manager Jim Ferree said that the city is committed to the partnership and to the success of Tom, which is evident in the city's monetary contribution toward the effort.

"We generally contribute $25,000 toward the partnership, but with the county cutbacks, we will pick up $5,000 more in the 2004 budget," Ferree said.

In the short term, Ferree said that city expectations of Flavin include getting familiar with the community, increasing the visibility of the partnership and outlines an action plan to get the long-term goals accomplished.

"I am a great believer in a set of clear, realistic priorities," Flavin said.

"He's as qualified a person as we can find. We were fortunate to get him," Fleming said.