WORTHINGTON -- Glenn Thuringer, the current manager of economic development for Worthington, said Friday that effective Oct. 1, he is taking a new position as the president of Bioverse, an eco-friendly water treatment company.
Thuringer worked to bring Bioverse, currently headquartered in Pipestone, to Worthington. The Biotechnology Advancement Center in Worthington's Bio-science Park will be its new location.
Thuringer said he applied for the open position after the new lease was finalized.
"The lease was signed with the city and that's when the job description started bouncing back and forth," Thuringer said. "I don't want people to think I structured this deal for myself."
While Thuringer was not actively looking for new employment, he said the opportunity came up when Bioverse officials asked him to review the job description.
ADVERTISEMENT
Bioverse is owned by four investors, including one local resident. Thuringer said the local owner stepped back and let another owner in Texas, Jeff Montgomery, conduct the interview process. Montgomery was not available for comment on Thursday.
Thuringer said city officials will be meeting next week to discuss the future plans of the economic development department.
"These are all top notch people," Thuringer said. "They understand you have to take opportunities when they're presented."
The salary increase is "obviously a nice feature," Thuringer said, but added that not having to move out of Worthington was also an incentive.
"It makes it a no-brainer," he said of the decision.
Thuringer stated there are currently about 25 projects in the works for the city, which is the most he's ever had at one time.
"We're letting the companies know and trying to set an action plan as to how their projects will be followed up on," Thuringer said.
Looking back on time spent in his current position, he said that while there were always challenges, they made the projects better.
ADVERTISEMENT
"All those projects had their own goals, so you'd be bouncing back and forth many times during the day," Thuringer said. "I'm really looking forward to working on multiple projects, but having a single goal for the company to advance."
He said the network of people, both in the state and nationally, is what he will miss the most.
"This is tough, after 14 years you build a lot of great relationships," Thuringer said, adding that he's looking forward to a new challenge.
Daily Globe Reporter Kayla Strayer may be reached at 376-7322
