Karl Dehn, President & CEO, Battle Creek Unlimited, Inc.
Karl Dehn serves as the President & CEO of Battle Creek Unlimited, a position he has held since January 2009. He previously served as the organization’s Marketing Director for 12 years. Karl came to Battle Creek after serving as the Economic Development Director of the City of South Haven, Michigan for five years. Karl has extensive experience in business retention and expansion, domestic and international business attraction, tax increment financing, brownfield redevelopment and community development.
During his work with Battle Creek Unlimited, he has led efforts to successfully attract over 30 new companies and over 90 expansion projects. During his career he has secured ten successful economic development grant and loan projects, funded through state and federal sources, totaling over $5.8 million for infrastructure and public facility enhancements necessary to support private development projects.
Karl holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with concentrations in Finance and Management from Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he was a four-year letterman in baseball. Karl is a certified Economic Development Finance Professional through the National Development Council. He was recognized in 2004 by Business Review as one of West Michigan’s Top Business Leaders Under 40.
Karl’s community and state leadership positions include:
•Board Chair, Legacy Scholars
•Board Chair, Global Food Protection Institute
•Board of Directors, Battle Creek Health System Community Partners
•Board President, Calhoun County Economic Development Corporation
•Board of Directors, Neighborhoods, Inc.
•Collaborative Development Council, Michigan Economic Development Corporation
Karl is also a member of the Battle Creek AMBUCS service club. His personal interests include fishing, cooking, golf, college sporting events and coaching youth baseball. Karl and his family reside in the City of Battle Creek.