Rob West, CEO APEX   1/27/2010 by Beth Bily

Rob West has virtually unlimited enthusiasm for his job and the region. "I'm bullish on the Northland, quite frankly," he said.

West moved to Duluth to "retire" in 2003. He was a marketing instructor at the University of Minnesota Duluth and account manager for H.T Klatzky & Associates before he was recruited in 2004 as the first president/CEO of the Area Partnership for Economic Expansion (APEX). The position caps his career in marketing and as an entrepreneur. He started, then sold, five businesses in the Twin Cities area: two advertising agencies, a strategic consulting firm, a house wares company and a small construction company.

APEX grew out of a 2001 regional economic summit. The upstart agency was aided and promoted by key regional business players James McGinnis, former president of Murphy McGinnis Media, Nancy Norr, Minnesota Power's regional development manager, David Gaddie, president and CEO of Republic Bank, and Bruce Stender, vice president and principal for Labovitz Enterprises.

Its 2004 launch might have seemed redundant with more than a dozen economic development groups operating in Northeast Minnesota and Northwest Wisconsin, the market APEX is tackling.

But West maintains APEX was, and is different. The mantra of the economic development group, he said, is "pay to play." He also noted the group is the first in the region where private business set its own seat at the table, then engaged the public and philanthropic sectors. Historically, economic development has been led by the public sector.

West, a Michigan native and grandson of a Swedish iron ore miner, is a driving force in regional economic development.

David Ross, president of the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce, said West is an ideal business ambassador for the region. "In economic development efforts there are many organizations that play a part in a (business) relocation or retention effort. Sometimes it's difficult to quantify which organization and which individuals had a role," he said. "I have been involved with many presentations made by Rob West and the quality of his presentation is one his greatest contributions."

James Glowacki, president of the JPG Group, characterized West as a dealmaker. "He likes to roll up his sleeves and get things done," said Glowacki, a founding APEX member.

West said APEX has helped create 1,387 jobs with $72.2 million in combined total wages since 2004. APEX and its members focus on attracting and retaining businesses that build on the region's assets, including healthcare, clean energy, aerospace, transportation, education, forest products, applied technology, mining and metallurgy, machining, manufacturing and tourism.

There is supporting evidence that West and APEX have growing traction. The organization, which obtains most of its funding from private sector members, has grown from 37 founding members to 67. His entrepreneurial experience moves West to view his role as far more than glorified cheerleader. "A CEO wants to know how you cost-justify the decision to move, relocate or expand here," he said. "We build the case for companies that might be looking at other places."

West said the region's strongest assets include its international airport and seaport, five railroads, annual employee turnover less than 3 percent, an abundance of natural resources, good fiber connectivity, excellent healthcare, 11 community colleges and two universities.

West said there are 3,000 potential jobs "in the pipeline." He concedes many won't come to fruition, but some will. It's the prospect of what will happen that fuels his energy and passion.

"I have one of the most exciting jobs you could ever hope for," he said. "We get to win, we get to lose. But, at the end of the day, we're batting .268 and that's near the average of the New York Yankees."

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