PEDCO president stepping down later this year

The head of the Pueblo Economic Development Corporation will step down at the end of the year.

Jack Rink, president and CEO of PEDCO, announced he will not renew his contract after it expires at the end of 2015 .

“I feel very proud of the many accomplishments we have achieved together. There is no question that Pueblo is a stronger community as a result of our combined efforts,” Rink said in a statement.

Rink has been president and CEO of PEDCO for four years. PEDCO is the largest job recruiter in the city. Its primary responsibility is to attract companies to Pueblo through use of the half-cent sales tax earmarked for job creation.

Voters will decide this year whether to renew that tax for another five years. It’s set to expire at the end of 2016.

“I want to stress that there is absolutely no controversy or any underlying issues with the board that led to my personal decision,” he said.

Rink informed the PEDCO Board of Directors of his decision Thursday.