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Kysiak, Ronald, 1941-

 Person

Biography

Born November 17, 1941 in Blue Island Illinois, Ronald C. Kysiak attended the Marquette University College of Journalism where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1963.  After holding a series of jobs relating to journalism and communications throughout the 1960s Kysiak changed his career focus in 1969 when he accepted the position of Assistant Director of Economic Development for the City of Milwaukee. Kysiak continued in this position until 1972 when he was promoted to Director of Economic Development. In his six years as Director Kysiak's accomplishments included starting a revenue bonding program, initiating the Menomonee Valley redevelopment, the largest industrial redevelopment in the city's history up to that point, and creating an Overall Economic Development program for the city. At the same time Kysiak attended the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee where he obtained a Masters degree in Urban Affairs in 1978.

In January of 1979 Kysiak relocated to the East Coast when he accepted the position of Deputy Development Administrator and Director of Economic Development for the City of New Haven, Connecticut. In this position Kysiak was responsible for the commercial revitalization of the city, the development of small and minority businesses, the planning and redevelopment of the New Haven downtown area, and overseeing relationships with various federal agencies including the Economic Development Administration.

In 1984 Kysiak accepted Northwestern Vice President for Institutional Relations, William Ihlanfeldt's offer to become the first Executive Director of the Evanston Economic Development Corporation which was to be known as "Evanston Inventure."

In addition to his position as director of Evanston Inventure, Kysiak was involved in many other projects in the Evanston area. In 1996 Northwestern President Henry Bienen appointed Kysiak Vice President of the Northwestern/Evanston Research Park which he had played a major role in developing. In 1999, Kysiak assumed the role of Chairman of the Technopolis Evanston Committee, a group of Community leaders who hoped to turn Evanston into a "cyber city."

Kysiak was also involved in economic development projects outside of the Evanston Area. His expertise was sought out by many in the economic development field, in particular those who sought consultation on the development of University-based Research Parks.  Additionally he was a member of IDEA, a consulting firm that was sought out by many cities and countries seeking advice on economic development.

Kysiak retired from his positions with Inventure and IDEA in 2010, ending a four decade career in urban politics.

Found in 2 Collections and/or Records:

Ronald Kysiak Papers

 Collection
Identifier: 8/2/17
Abstract

Urban planner Ronald Kysiak was the first Executive Director of the Evanston Economic Development Corporation, later known as "Evanston Inventure," and Vice President of the Northwestern/Evanston Research Park, which he had played a major role in developing. Papers document his career in several Evanston projects (1984-2010) as well as his research and involvement in urban planning projects elsewhere, and include biographical material, project files, and presentation/publications files.

Dates: 1973-2010; Other: Date acquired: 07/01/2013

Records of Evanston Inventure

 Collection
Identifier: 55/46
Abstract The nonprofit partnership known as Evanston Inventure was formed in 1984 under Executive Director Ronald Kysiak so that  representatives of the largest public and private institutions in Evanston could work together to promote development of Evanston's Downtown Central Business District.  These records, for the years 1973 to 2010, include meeting minutes, correspondence, and general files documenting the studies, inter-partner relationships, accomplishments, and recommendations of the...
Dates: 1984-2010