Taylor Zeinert

CIty of whitewater economic development director

Taylor Zeinert serves as the City of Whitewater’s Economic Development Director and Executive Director of the Community Development Authority. She joined the City of Whitewater in June 2023 as Chief of Staff and transitioned to full-time leadership of the Economic Development Department in May 2024.

Taylor is dedicated to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship within the Whitewater community. In her role she works closely with start-ups and small businesses, providing resources, mentorship, and connections to help them grow and succeed. Taylor is passionate about creating an environment where entrepreneurs can thrive, leveraging partnerships, hosting business development workshops, and advocating for initiatives that support the next generation of local business leaders.

Her approach blends a deep understanding of economic development with a hands-on commitment to empowering individuals to turn their ideas into impactful businesses. Taylor's goal is to make the City of Whitewater a hub of innovation and opportunity.

Thayer Coburn

COmmunity development authority committee Member

Thayer Coburn is co-owner and Director of Operations of The Coburn Company, a manufacturer and wholesale distributor of dairy equipment and farm supplies located in the Whitewater Industrial Park.

A proud native of Whitewater, he has served the community in many capacities, including 12 years on the School Board and 2 years on the Community Development Authority.

Thayer lives in Whitewater with his wife and two children.

Elizabeth Thelen, M.S.

Executive Director Innovation Services and Community Engagement Center

As the Executive Director Innovation Services and Community Engagement Center, Elizabeth Thelen is a leader working at the intersection of technology, economic development and people. She has dedicated her career to connecting people, leading projects and organizations, and getting things done.  Elizabeth does this by building trusted relationships, strong networks and a passion for technology.  BDHS Consulting, AeroX Tech, The Water Council, HRDC, Slinger Speedway, Midwest Innovation Exchange are all organizations she has founded, co-founded or led.  

Thelen has a master’s degree in industrial organizational psychology from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh and numerous certifications in teams, change, leadership, and entrepreneurship. She sits on a number of business advisory boards; including Secretary of Wisconsin Aerospace Advisory Board and Wisconsin Chapter leader of the national non-profit, Independent Women’s Network.  She has real world experience in technology projects, working with start-ups and researchers, organizing and leading teams, and leading businesses through change.  As an entrepreneur herself, Elizabeth has experience of what it takes to build a team, manage financials, inspire vision and implement for results.

Acting as president, vice president, director, network builder, coach, facilitator, or whatever title she has, Elizabeth brings energy, optimism and results to all her assignments. She has a core philosophy of asking people to take action, speaking up, and uses influence strategies to get real system change. She uses tools from advanced manufacturing, start-up processes, design thinking, behavioral science, system analysis and more to drive those results.

Dr. Carol Scovotti

UW-Whitewater Representative

Carol Scovotti, D.P.S. is a Professor of Marketing, Fulbright Scholar, Coordinator of the International Business Program and Director of the Institute for International Business Collaboration at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

Prior to entering academia, Dr. Scovotti was the President of Telecom Denmark’s American subsidiary, responsible for managing multicultural collaboration efforts among businesses across the country to bring American multinationals to Denmark. Scovotti has over 20 years experience in direct marketing and international telecommunication industries.

Dr. Scovotti holds Post Doctoral Seminars from Harvard University, a DPS from Pace University, an MBA from Loyola University of Chicago, and a Bachelor’s degree from Marquette University.

Jeff Knight

Citizen Representative

Since 2010, Jeffery P. Knight has served as Chairman and Managing Director of Knight Public Affairs LLC. With extensive international, federal, state, local, and business experience, Knight works with clients in need of consulting, management, and governmental affairs services.

Knight has an extensive background in consulting, association management, research, governmental affairs, grants, funding and procurement. Knight is active in the Whitewater community and serves on the following boards: Greater Whitewater Committee, Inc., Whitewater Leads, Bethel House, and the Discover Whitewater Series.

Kevin Kaufman

UW-Whitewater Representative

Since July 2016, Kevin Kaufman has served as the Director of the Small Business Development Center at the University of Wisconsin - Whitewater.

Prior to his role at UW-Whitewater, Kaufman served as a Business Consultant at the Small Business Development Center at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Kaufman has a depth of experience working with small and medium sized businesses. From strategic planning to financial projections to buy/sell valuation to operational excellence, Kaufman’s background as a commercial banker, national sales manager and eight years of consulting experience enables him to help companies define and achieve its goals.

Kaufman holds a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from UW-Whitewater and an MBA from UW-La Crosse.