IOWA CITY — Nancy Bird, former executive director of the Iowa City Downtown District, has been named CEO of the newly merged Iowa City Region Improvement and Iowa City Small business Partnership.
“These are two wonderful organizations coming collectively,” Bird told The Gazette. “Leadership on each boards have worked collectively to bring the two collectively seamlessly — the group has a vibrant vision for the future — and I am definitely excited to get to perform with them.”
Boards of the two organizations voted in November to merge July 1 to much better concentrate on financial requires in the neighborhood, such as kid care, workforce shortages and inexpensive housing.
Bird will start out in June and lead the two organizations via a rebranding and in implementing the bylaws and legal structure authorized by the two boards final November.
Robin Therme, chair of the merged board of directors, mentioned in a news release Thursday that the board is excited to bring Bird’s encounter and talent to the new organization.
“Her broad encounter in neighborhood improvement and her track record of executing a clear vision make her ideally equipped to meet the requires of this new organization,” Therme stated.
Adam Keune, former chair of the Iowa City Small business Partnership, echoed Therme, emphasizing his self-confidence in Bird’s capability to lead the new organization.
“As we embark on this thrilling new chapter as a combined organization, we have each and every self-confidence in her capability to steer us toward development and heightened effect, furthering our attain and amplifying the good distinction we make in the Johnson County neighborhood,” Keune mentioned.
Bird, whose salary was not disclosed, led the Iowa City Downtown District for pretty much a decade.
With her departure, the downtown district’s board appointed Betsy Potter, the present inventive solutions director, as its new executive director.
Comments: 319-368-8877 liam.halawith@thegazette.com