Keck heads to Ground Force

POST FALLS - Eric Keck's next assignment will be just down Seltice Way, working for a familiar face.

The Post Falls city administrator, who resigned on Monday, will be the chief operating officer in charge of plant operations at Post Falls-based mining equipment manufacturer Ground Force Worldwide starting Sept. 1.

Keck's next job was announced by the city and Ground Force on Tuesday.

"I am very humbled and excited to be able to join the Ground Force Worldwide team," Keck said. "This is an incredible opportunity to make a difference in the global economy and I look forward to the challenge."

Keck assisted Ground Force's recent facility expansion along Seltice Way through the city process. Both Keck and Ron Nilson, president and CEO of Ground Force, also serve on the board of directors for the Boys and Girls Club of Kootenai County. The two have known each other for six years.

"He's a smart, independent thinker who's passionate about people and will do a fantastic job of overseeing our operating activities," said Nilson.

Keck will remain at his city job through August for the budget process.

Keck said leaving the city, where he has worked since 2006, was a difficult decision because a lot of friendships were built. Shepherding the construction of the new City Hall was among his first projects.

"It's too bad for us, but it's really good for him," said Kit Hoffer, Post Falls spokeswoman. "He has brought a high level of transparency and has been very proactive. But, as he moves along so will we, and I hope we find somebody as great as him."

The COO position at Ground Force is a new one.

"As we continue to grow, we'll need more structure to go around that," Nilson said.

Nilson said the company has been searching to fill the position for about three years.

"The core values of this company are God first, family second and company third," Nilson said. "Eric possesses that. Eric brings years of exceptional leadership, planning and management experience and has earned a reputation as a trusted and respected leader of our community.

"Eric is the right COO to help direct the strategies we have in place and keep us fiscally responsible during these extreme times of growth in the United States and around the world."

Ground Force is expected to see a 75 percent increase in sales in 2012, Nilson said. It is organized into three companies - Ground Force Manufacturing, Underground Force and Ground Force Worldwide. Worldwide is the parent company of the other two.

Since the purchase of the company in 1999, Ground Force has grown from 40 employees to 235.