Rok Šimenc
Author: Bor Slana/STA
Rok Šimenc holds a university degree in Organization of Work and continued his postgraduate studies at the Faculty of Management. After graduating, he pursued further professional training in entrepreneurship consulting both in Slovenia and abroad, specifically at Babson College in the USA and Stirling University in the UK. He is a licensed entrepreneurship consultant.
He began his career at GEA College d.d., where following his internship, he became a project manager for entrepreneurial education programs, and after four years, the director of the GEA College Business Education Center. He then spent eleven years heading the Sora Development Agency, leading it to high revenue growth and substantially enriching its core content, which firmly established the agency in local, regional, and international environments.
Following his leadership of the local development agency, he spent eight years heading the Regional Development Agency of Gorenjska, BSC Kranj Business Support Center. In his first year, he successfully executed a business turnaround and reorganized the company, leading to successful operations, strong revenue and profit growth, and one of the highest credit ratings in the country. In terms of activities, the agency operates in local, regional, and national environments, while generating its highest share—over two-thirds of its business—within the European space.
Afterward, he was employed at the National Council of the Republic of Slovenia as the Secretary of the Commission for Economy, Crafts, Tourism, and Finance, which is considered one of the most active commissions within the National Council. In addition, he was a member of the National Council delegations at international parliamentary conferences. As an advisor, he also accompanied the President of the National Council on official visits across Slovenia, as he highly values direct contact with people and wishes to stay informed about the actual situation on the ground.
On June 5, 2026, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia appointed him to the position of State Secretary at the Ministry for Local Self-Government, Cohesion and Regional Development.