In her position as administrative assistant at the Albert Lea Economic Development Agency, Nancy Jensen brings a unique perspective: from the inside.

Before she took the position 2 1/2 years ago, she had been a tenant in the Albert Lea Business Development Center.

She and her sister were partners in Day Lily Enterprise Inc., a daily planner design company. When her sister left the partnership to explore another venture, Jensen decided to move the company back to her home. In the meantime, she got a call from Ryan Nolander, assistant director of the Albert Lea Economic Development Agency, asking if she’d be interested in working at the agency. “I hadn’t considered going back to work,” she said.

She’s found that having been a tenant in the center is an asset. Having her own business has also offered her a good perspective.

“Whether you make money or not, it’s the experience that counts,” she said.

Now, she said, she has the best of both worlds — a regular job she loves and her own business in her free time.

In her position at ALEDA, Jensen uses her organizational skills that she learned from years of experience in the Albert Lea High School guidance office and then from six years as the secretary to the principal there. She recently compiled a history of Greater Jobs Inc. and has been color-coding files.

Jensen assists Executive Director Dan Dorman with marketing by designing brochures and helps with the agency’s Web site. In addition, she works with the Service Corps of Retired Executives, either matching an entrepreneur with a retired business person or referring the person to the Small Business Development Center.

She also serves as board secretary for the Albert Lea Port Authority, Greater Jobs Inc. and the Albert Lea Business Development Center. She takes minutes of meetings and makes sure all members have the same information so they can make informed decisions.

She meets each Monday morning with Nolander and Dorman. “It keeps me in the loop and gives me time to ask questions,” Jensen said.

“The guys are great to work with,” she said. “I think we make a good team.”

Jensen said she has lived in Albert Lea since 1968 and loves the community. “I love to give a positive twist to things,” she said.

And there is a lot to be positive about, in her eyes.

“One of the hardest things we do is to let people know things do happen here,” she said.

Jensen said when companies inquire about business opportunities, they will most often ask about land. “They’ll fly in and look … Sometimes it takes two years to come to fruition.

“We’re always better for trying,” she said.

She and her husband, Shorty, have three children and three grandchildren. Their son lives in Clinton, Iowa, one daughter lives in Rock Island, Ill., and the other lives in La Belle, Fla.

When Jensen isn’t working, she enjoys reading.