A Glasgow resident and general manager of J.L. French Corporation for the past eight years has been named the new executive director of the Glasgow-Barren County Industrial Development and Economic Authority (IDEA).

Daniel J. Iacconi will begin his new duties Jan. 2.

“Dan is a resident of this community and has many years of experience in industrial production and in job creation in relation to this position,” said IDEA chair Owen Lambert. “With a continuing devotion to progress and to enhancing the economic well-being of the residents of our community, Dan will serve effectively as a liaison and support mechanism between IDEA and existing businesses. I believe that Dan’s experience and skill set are a perfect fit to effectively represent our community and in the recruitment of new business ventures.

“Our organization has worked very hard to secure partnerships with organizations that will provide economic diversity for our county. We have especially sought relationships that will leverage the strength of our county’s agricultural base. I believe that Dan’s passion and commitment to our community will enable him to continue those pursuits, as well, and enable us to create more diversity and hence a more stable employment base,” Lambert said.

IDEA was charted in 1983 as a part of an inter-local agency agreement between city and county government with the purpose to promote manufacturing/industry, commercial and retail development, tourism and agriculture. Since IDEA was founded, four industrial parks have been created, IDEA Park, Beaver Trail, Beaver Trail South, and a fourth one, Highland Glen, is now fully developed with industrial sites available for sale. Since the inception of IDEA, Glasgow and Barren County now have an industrial employment base of more than 7,000.

“When this opportunity arose, I was very excited about embarking on this new endeavor. It has been an absolute joy to live and work in this community for the last 16 years,” Iacconi said. “I’ve had the privilege of working with the IDEA Board and county, city and state government officials. All of these individuals, I strongly believe, are committed to improving the standard of living and quality of life for our community.

“We are extremely appreciative of the business and industries that exist in our community today,” said Iacconi. “I will be staying in contact with our existing businesses and industries to thoroughly understand their needs and to assist with any issues that they request to be addressed. I will keep a communication channel open with them to gather their insight on any issues that affect them.”

Iacconi also plans to work with local and state government officials, the Kentucky Economic Development Cabinet in Frankfort, the Barren River Area Development District and Kentucky Associates of Manufacturers on new job creations for the community.

“I will actively contact suppliers of all manufacturers to evaluate their interest in locating to our area and will work diligently on pursuing research centers, service industries and engineering firms to locate in the Barren County area,” said Iacconi.

Iacconi has plans to visit these types of organizations to showcase how attractive Glasgow and Barren County are in the marketplace as it relates to the geographical location, infrastructure and higher education system.

“I will make them aware of the benefits of locating to our area as well as highlight our labor pool skill set and our postsecondary education system to maintain our competitive edge with our existing and future employers,” Iacconi said.

Iacconi is a graduate of California University of Pennsylvania, California, Pa., with a bachelor’s degree in manufacturing technology and a master’s degree in business administration.

Dan and his wife, Sheila, reside in Barren County.

“We are extremely grateful for the leadership and devotion to the community exhibited by Don Doty during his tenure as IDEA interim executive director,” Lambert said. “Don has served in this capacity since May 2008 and will forever be an integral part of the legacy of our IDEA.”