Launch. Locate. Grow.
Advancing Knox County Forward
Advancing Knox County ForwardKnox County, Illinois is an excellent location for doing business. The Knox County Area Partnership for Economic Development (KCAP) launched in 2015 to provide economic development services to the Galesburg and Knox County region. The organization is structured as a public-private 501c6 nonprofit and our offices are located in Downtown Galesburg. KCAP’s tagline is “Launch. Locate. Grow.”, which reflects our work helping existing companies expand, recruiting new companies to the region and empowering entrepreneurs. Click here to view our current Strategic Plan.
60+ completed Projects since 2015
501c6 Non-Profit Organization
4-person staff and a 10-person board
50+ community investors
Ken Springer
President
ken@knoxpartnership.com
(309) 343-1194
More about Ken
KCAP President Ken Springer has spent the last two decades helping companies launch, locate and grow. His experience includes working with clients on successful projects in the manufacturing, food processing, transportation/logistics, renewable energy, tech and retail industries. Before joining the KCAP team, the West Michigan native served as Vice President of the Bloomington-Normal Area Economic Development Council.
Mark Williams
Senior Vice President
mark@knoxpartnership.com
(309) 343-1194
More about Mark
C. Mark Williams has over 34 years of experience in community and economic development and held leadership roles—including Manager, Director, and Executive Director—at both regional public/private partnerships and local municipal organizations throughout Illinois. Including the City of Rockford, City of Salem, Growth Dimensions for Belvidere and Boone County, Greater Freeport Partnership, and DeKalb County EDC. Mark was honored with the Illinois Development Council’s Distinguished Economic Developer of the Year Award in 2012. His career highlights include 220 projects that generated over $2.68 billion in private investment and created or retained more than 12,500 jobs. Renowned for his ability to build strong relationships across regional and statewide organizations, Mark has chaired the Illinois Development Council (IDC) and the Illinois Enterprise Zone Association (IEZA) and served on the Illinois Economic Development Association (IEDA) Board. Mark now provides consultation on entrepreneurship and deal structuring for both existing business expansion and new business recruitment in Knox County.
Abby Thomas
Director of Communication & Development
abby@knoxpartnership.com
(309) 343-1194
More about Abby
Abby Thomas brings Economic Development communication to the forefront of KCAP's work in the community. With a history of non-profit work, development, social media marketing, event planning, community outreach and entrepreneurship, Abby leads the team with a strong skill set for promoting the many advantages of Knox County. Communications has been a pillar of growth since bringing Abby onboard in 2020, with many goals for the organization in mind. She is also the point person for the Knox County IL CEO Program alongside the Facilitator. Abby enjoys her time spent volunteering with her husband Mark and dog, Mayve.
John Schlaf
Business Relations
john@knoxpartnership.com
(309) 343-1194
More about John
John Schlaf is really the "Jack" of all trades. He comes to the partnership with a vast awareness of the community from his time as both the Chief of Police for Galesburg for 20+ years and as the past interim City Manager. John now works with retaining and communicating with existing businesses to aid in expansions or assistance. John is in the office once a week but is available through email or phone for clients. When John isn't meeting with existing businesses in Knox County, he is enjoying his time spent in retirement with his wife Judy and their dogs at the lake.
Learn more about our Board of Directors
| Name | Title | Company | KCAP Board Title |
| Adam Vitale | President | G & M Distributors | Chairman |
| Josh Gibb | President | Galesburg Community Foundation | Vice Chairman |
| C. Andrew McGadney | President | Knox College | Secretary/Treasurer |
| John Asplund | Superintendent | District 205 | At Large Director |
| Doug Hankes | COO | Western Smokehouse Partners | At Large Director |
| Eric Hanson | City Manager | City of Galesburg | Elected/Gov. |
| Jared Hawkinson | County Board Chairman | Knox County | Elected/Gov. |
| Rebecca King | Group Head-Agriculture, SVP | Old National Bank | Member Director |
| John Pritchard | President | Galesburg Broadcasting | At Large Director |
| Seamus Reilly | President | Carl Sandburg College | At Large Director |
| Doug Sanders | Retired Bank CEO | Private Investor | At Large Director |
| Marshall Schrader | District Superintendent | Galesburg Sanitary District | At Large Director |
| Peter Schwartzman | Mayor | City of Galesburg | Elected/Gov. |
| Sara Yemm - Witherell | Operations Manager | Yemm Chevrolet Buick GMC Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram | Member Director |