FCEDC Staff
Matt Gilroy
Matt Gilroy joined the Fulton County Economic Development Corporation in August of 2014 as the first Executive Director of the newly formed non-profit organization. Matt has more than twenty years of experience in the non-profit sector and has extensive experience in business development, project management, fundraising and managing non-profit organizations. Prior to joining the FCEDC, Matt worked at Defiance College as the Chief Development Officer, overseeing a staff of nine people in Advancement and Alumni Relations, and at ProMedica Defiance Regional Hospital Foundation, where he increased annual contributions more than 300% over his tenure.
Matt is proud to have raised funds for Kaitlyn’s Cottage, a place of respite for young adults with special needs. To date, Kaitlyn’s Cottage is the only respite center of its type located on a community hospital campus in the United States. Matt has also raised funds to support scholarship programs for Defiance College students and various health programs that benefit the Defiance community. He created the discounted mammogram program at Defiance Regional Hospital, a scholarship program that benefitted area high-school students entering studies in healthcare and a program to provide car seats to families that needed a safe seat.
In his role at the FCEDC, Matt and the organization have supported more than 70 development projects that have provided more than $1.5 billion investment in Fulton County and more than 1,000 new employment opportunities.
Matt has served in Rotary International for more than fifteen years, is a former President of the Kiwanis of Defiance Club, and has served in leadership positions in several organizations; including American Red Cross of Defiance County, Defiance Area YMCA, Volunteer Connection of Northwest Ohio, the Fulton County Airport Authority and Triangular Processing, Inc. Matt is the current Past President of the Northwest Ohio Regional Economic Development Association (NORED) and currently serves on Northwest Ohio Development Assistance Corporation’s (NODAC) Board of Directors. Matt was recipient of the Toledo Area 20 Under 40 award and the Archbold 4 Under 40 award. He was nominated by former U.S. Senator Mike DeWine to attend a U.S. Senate Youth Leadership Conference in Washington D.C. He graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2002 from Defiance College with a Bachelors of Arts degree in Marketing and Management.
Matt’s most significant accomplishments are the birth of his two daughters, Teylan and Malayla Gilroy. Matt and his wife Jennie live in the Village of Archbold in Fulton County.
Kate Huiskens
Kate Huiskens joined the Fulton County Economic Development Corporation in August of 2023 as Director of Operations & Strategic Initiatives. Kate came to the FCEDC with experience in business development, market research, fundraising and managing non-profit organizations through serving as chairmen at the Fallen Timbers Ducks Unlimited chapter. Kate graduated from Lourdes University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Marketing, and Associates in Business Administration. She then went on to study at the International Institute for Procurement and Market Research where she obtained her certificate as a Certified Research Analyst. Shortly after Kate was accepted into Harvard Business School where she completed an online course through them in Business Analytics. Outside of the FCEDC Kate and her husband own a couple small businesses together and continue to grow their portfolio of investments.
Kate is dedicated to committing to & fostering economic growth and empowering businesses and entrepreneurs to reach their full potential. With a fervent belief in the transformative power of economic development, she has dedicated her career to creating opportunities that enable businesses to thrive. Kate has experience in using market research and data to develop and execute marketing and operational strategy. Driven to fully research and assist in finding effective solutions regarding challenges presented within company growth, she works to connect strong businesses and individuals with a valuable resource to assist in improving and advancing their current operations. Kate has a passion for discovering valuable insights within data to deliver actionable results.
During her spare time Kate enjoys managing her small businesses, hiking, spending time with her husband, or attending dog shows with her Basenji’s. Kate and her husband Jared live in the Village of Swanton in Fulton County.