Kjellin begins work as economic developer
Staff reporter
Timing is sometimes everything.
Timing can be important when a person changes jobs or moves to a different community.
Timing.
How does a person know his timing may be right?
Ask Doug Kjellin, the newly-hired Marion Economic Development Director.
After the deaths of his parents, his father just this past year, Kjellin and his family decided to return to the Marion area and live on the family farm, just east of Marion.
No stranger to Marion, Kjellin graduated in 1983 from Marion High School. He went on to Wichita State University where he earned a bachelor's degree in business administration with a minor in economics.
Looking at his work history, it appears that Kjellin was tailor-made for the economic development position.
While at WSU, he worked closely with SBDC (Small Business Development Corporation) and assisted with small business start-ups.
The family moved on to McPherson where Kjellin owned and operated his own business for five years — an aviation refueling manufacturing company.
"And then 9/11 happened and I went out of business," Kjellin said. "I've seen the highs and lows of a business."
His most recent job was as a commercial real estate developer with A.G. Tollefson Company. Kjellin was able to work out of his home and traveled as needed to the home office in Topeka.
Kjellin saw his share of success.
"We built probably $25 million worth of facilities in the four years I was there," Kjellin said.
The family had already decided to move back to Marion, 35 minutes closer to Topeka, when Kjellin said development went a different direction and he decided it was time to do something else.
As if it was meant to be, the economic development director job opened up, placing the final piece in the timing puzzle.
And, just like that, Kjellin is working for the City of Marion and the family farm is being renovated.
Only on the job since July 1, Kjellin obviously doesn't know the ins and outs of the position but does have an idea of where his focus needs to be.
"We need to maintain what we have," he said. He wants to look at programs and processes to help local businesses.
The next step for him is to get out and visit businesses and find out their needs.
Kjellin is looking forward to working with members of Marion Economic Development, Inc.
"I'm planning to use that group as my sounding board," Kjellin said, and provide information he may not otherwise know.
Kjellin has been married to wife, Amy, for 27 years. They have three children — Erik, 16, Andrew, 14, and Adam, 10, who already have become involved in community activities.
Kjellin has two sisters who live in the Marion area — Mary Beth Bowers and Pat Enos. A third sister, Karen Kelly, lives in Missouri.
"It's exciting to come back to my hometown. The community has been welcoming," Kjellin said.
Kjellin's office is at Marion City Building.
