Mike Kazmierski

Mike Kazmierski is currently the Director of Dermody Community Initiatives, an organization focused on addressing longstanding community challenges in the areas of education, childcare, mental health, and workforce development, especially for working families.

Kazmierski recently led the Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada (EDAWN) from November 2011 to August 2023.

EDAWN’s team of 15 economic development professionals was committed to adding quality jobs to the region by recruiting new companies, supporting the success of existing companies, and assisting newly forming companies, to diversify the economy and have a positive impact on the quality of life in Greater Reno-Sparks.

In the past 12 years, under Kazmierski’s leadership, EDAWN assisted in the attraction of more than 300 new companies, and over 100 new corporate headquarters, resulting in the addition of more than 40,000 new quality jobs with average wages over $50 an hour. Significant new employers attracted to the region include Tesla, Google, Apple, Redwood Materials, and Switch.

Before his position at EDAWN, Kazmierski managed a 14-person non-profit economic development corporation in Colorado Springs, Colorado, as the head of the Regional Economic Development Corporation of Colorado Springs.

Kazmierski is a retired Army Colonel, combat veteran, and former garrison commander of Fort Carson, Colorado, when it was recognized as the best of the 270 installations in the Army in 1998. He was also recognized by the Army as the best supervisor of civilian employees with the Macy Award in 2000. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from the U.S. Military Academy, (West Point) a Master's Degree in Business Administration, and a Master’s Degree in Military Arts & Science.

Mike is a Wisconsin native and his wife, Margaret, a former attorney and school teacher, is now a realtor for Dickson Realty. They have two children, Zack, 30, and Claire, 28.