Revitalization & Destination Building
Continuing our celebration of 40 years, we are highlighting Bob Duffy who served on the WDAC Board for two terms from 2013-2018.
Bob explained, “As our community was working through downtown revitalization efforts, collaborating and working with others with a similar passion for revitalization & building a destination was a beneficial experience”
After obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Geography/Urban & Area Development from the University of Wisconsin Whitewater, a Masters degree in Public Administration from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh and a Wisconsin Real Estate Sales license, Bob held planning positions at the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission, as well as the Menominee Indian Nation where he planned and construction-managed the creation of a community from the ground-up. Bob also served as the Hortonville Village Administrator, with the responsibility for the community vision and oversight of municipal day-to-day operations.
Bob returned to his hometown and is currently the Director of Economic Development and Tourism for the City of Oconomowoc. Current projects include: downtown revitalization, business expansion and retention, tourism, community development projects such as Pabst Farms & Olympia Fields planned development projects, as well as promoting Oconomowoc’s destination building efforts as an economic development attraction strategy. In 2022, Bob became an Adjunct Professor at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee School of Architecture & Urban Planning for their Economic Development course.
During Bob’s time on the WDAC Board, their accomplishments included: establishing a Downtown Summit to share experiences and learn from others; Participation in the Small Community Forums; Advocacy through testifying at the Capital and the WDAC Day at the Capital.
