Peggy Friday

Peggy Friday began her professional career with U.S. Senator Peter Fitzgerald, working in Constituent Services as a liaison to the Pentagon, Military, Veterans Administration (VA), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and the Federal Aviation Administration ( FAA). Peggy was also responsible for coordinating the senator’s Military Service Academy Program and later became the Associate Northern Illinois Director covering 25 counties in Northern Illinois.

Upon the senator’s retirement, Peggy worked for the City of Rochelle, Illinois in Economic Development where she oversaw commercial and retail development. In a unique arrangement during her early tenure as a city employee, Peggy was also tasked with restarting the Rochelle Chamber of Commerce as its Executive Director. In this dual role, Peggy designed chamber services, grew memberships, held events and raised funds until the organization became sustainable. She returned to the Economic Development Office as the Industrial Development Manager. Her responsibilities included industry recruitment, business retention, infrastructure planning, and workforce development. Peggy drafted the city’s first submission for the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Distinguished Budget Award by preparing high-quality budget documents that met program criteria and improved budget transparency. The City of Rochelle went on the receive the award six years in a row.

Preparing to take early retirement in December 2024, Peggy was made aware of the CEO position at the Kosciusko County Economic Development (KEDCO). Throughout the interview process, Peggy felt God leading her to Kosciusko County. She credits our people and the warm welcome she received for her accepting the position. She is excited to lead KEDCO in the direction of providing economic development and marketing services, partnering with organizations, businesses, and community leaders to provide opportunities, growth and wealth throughout the county.

Peggy’s Fiancée Brian grew up in Kosciusko County. They recently purchased land for a home in Warsaw. She has three children Charles who is the Head Sports Performance Coach for Football at Kent State University, a daughter Katherine who is a cardiac transplant charge nurse in Nashville and a daughter Madeline who is a full-time mom in Huntsville, Alabama where she lives with her husband Tim. Peggy is Nana to Elliott (4) and Maelin Rose (7 months).