In Memoriam

Paul Hildebrandt served as EDA’s Economic Development Representative (EDR) for Kansas and Missouri. Paul passed away on November 4, 2006.

Paul joined EDA in 1988 as program specialist in the Public Works Division of the Denver Regional Office. In 1995, Paul was named EDR for Missouri, then later the State of Kansas was added to his responsibilities.

He began his career in economic and community development in 1969 with the Interlakes Community Action Agency, serving a ten-county area in eastern South Dakota. He went on to become Assistant Director and then Executive Director of the Northeast Council of Governments located in Aberdeen, South Dakota.

A native of South Dakota, Paul was a 1966 graduate of South Dakota State University with a bachelor’s degree in Economics. Paul served in the U.S. Army from 1966 to 1969 and was a veteran of the Vietnam War.

Bill Garfield served as EDA’s Chicago Regional Environmental Officer. Bill passed away on August 1, 2006.

Bill joined EDA in May of 1993, just in time to help EDA respond to the Midwest floods. As a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners, Bill was passionate about the environment and balanced his passion with economic development principles.

When environmental challenges presented obstacles to economic development, Bill was unsurpassed in developing solutions that protected the environment and allowed EDA’s projects to proceed. Thanks to Bill’s efforts, EDA investments were made better.

Bill was highly regarded by his colleagues in the Chicago Regional Office as well as the entire economic development community in the Midwest. FEMA posthumously awarded him a Certificate of Appreciation for his outstanding contributions as a member of the Natural Hazards Mitigation Committee and the RISC Mitigation Committee.