Iowa Area Development Group - Distinguished Leadership

Distinguished Leadership Awards
Leadership and the Iowa Venture Award have always been synonymous. Throughout the years, IADG has taken the opportunity to present a number of individuals and organizations with an Iowa Venture Award for “Distinguished Leadership.”

These awards recognize special leadership and service for the advancement of business and community development. We are grateful to these people and institutions for their commitment to economic development.

Iowa Lakes Community College in Estherville has taken a leadership role within Iowa’s growing wind industry and proactively developed the “Wind Energy and Turbine Technology Program,” which provides curriculum specifically designed for the wind industry. The community college has played a pivotal role in establishing a wind turbine simulation center on campus to offer employee safety and training services to the growing wind industry in Iowa.

The The Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines has provided truly exemplary leadership in advancing community philanthropy and foundation building for all of Iowa. The foundation’s leadership in helping establish the Endow Iowa program and the Iowa Community Affiliate Network (Iowa C.A.N.) will enrich Iowa communities for years to come. The Foundation has also served our state by providing administration, marketing and technical support for Embrace Iowa, our state’s disaster recovery fund. The Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines is on a pathway to becoming one of the nation’s most respected and highly regarded philanthropic organizations.

The Iowa Association of Business and Industry represents over 1,500 Iowa businesses that employ over 300,000 Iowans. Through grassroots efforts the association plays a vital role in shaping public policy on virtually every issue area affecting commerce and economic development in Iowa.

ABI has also unselfishly established the ABI Foundation whose mission is to develop Iowa’s future workforce and leaders. Through programs such as Business Horizons, the Excellence in Teaching Institute and Leadership Iowa, ABI is helping Iowan’s gain a better understanding of the importance of entrepreneurship and the free enterprise system.

Economic development often is measured in terms of job growth and increased income. Although growth is a key indicator of successful economic development, ISU Extension also works to improve quality of life. Business and economic developers in the United States increasingly recognize the importance of quality of life – which includes environmental and recreational amenities and social infrastructure – as well as access to technical expertise in attracting and retaining business in a community.

The University of Iowa – Oakdale Research Park is located in Coralville, Iowa. It is a
200 acre technology center linking business with research programs at the University. The technology center is home to several high tech companies that have made the transition from the laboratory to the marketplace. The research and development opportunities of the University of Iowa and the “high tech” atmosphere of the park have attracted notable projects to Iowa.

USDA Rural Development provides financing and technical assistance for housing, business development, and critical community and technology infrastructure projects in rural America. So, they are in a prime position to support the developments that can help make the future of rural Iowa a bright one.

The primary activity of the IDM is to guide the citizens of Iowa as they make decisions and take organized action to improve their communities through results-oriented economic and community development initiatives. Since its establishment in 1987, IDM has assisted over 400 clients in 94 counties across the state with economic development planning, marketing and consultation.

Mr. Bailey's contributions to our organization, the State of Iowa, and the economic development profession spanned a lifetime.

Jack was serving as president of the Greater Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce when Governor Branstad recruited him back to Iowa to serve as director of the Iowa Department of Economic Development. In 1985 he helped establish the Iowa area Development Group. He retired in 1997 after a dozen years as IADG president and a lifetime of achievements.

Governor Branstad served four consecutive terms as governor of Iowa, from 1983-1999. When elected, he was the youngest governor in Iowa history; and, when he left office, he was Iowa's longest-serving governor. He established the Iowa Department of Economic Development (IDED) and helped restore our state’s competitiveness and economic vitality.

On the national level, Branstad served as chairman of the National Governors Association in 1989. In 1997 he was chairman of the Republican Governors Association and the Governors Ethanol Coalition. From 1997-1998 he was chairman of the Education Commission of the United States.

Charles B. Gill

National Rural Utilities Cooperative Financial Corporation
Governor Emeritus
Recipient in 1994

Charles Gill devoted his entire professional career to assisting cooperatives and improving the quality of life for those living in rural America. He served for 16 years as Governor and CEO of the national Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation (CFC0, an organization he helped develop while working for the Rural Electrification Administration.

Gill’s legacy includes launching a new era of financial flexibility for coops by introducing the long-term variable rate program, creating the Associate Loan Program to enable coops to get involved in new businesses to meet community needs, and creating the Cooperative System Integrity Fund to help cooperatives protect their service areas and address matters important to the long-term security of the entire electric cooperative network.

In addition, in a seven-year span he helped create the National Cooperative Services Corporation, the national Rural Telecommunications Cooperative, and the Rural Telephone Finance Cooperative. These organizations have had a dramatic impact on cooperative development and rural America.

The Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives is the Des Moines-based service organization representing the state's rural electric cooperatives (RECs). The cooperatives distinguish themselves through the cooperative principles. These principles serve as the guiding business philosophies for cooperatives across the country.

Iowa's farmers began forming RECs in the 1930s when large electric companies bypassed rural Iowa due to the sparse population. These pioneering men and women borrowed start-up money from the Federal Rural Electrification Administration, which was created by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on May 11, 1935.

RECs offer more than reliable electric service. They also work to improve rural living. The cooperative supported Iowa Area Development Group helps bring new industry and new jobs to rural Iowa.

For more information on the Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives go to www.iowarec.org

Throughout his tenure as a United States Congressman and later as Secretary of Agriculture (1977-1981) Robert Bergland was widely considered a tireless advocate for rural Americans and farmers. He ultimately brought this experience and devotion to an executive career serving as vice president and general manager of the national Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA).

The World Food Prize is sponsored by businessman and philanthropist John Ruan and is located in Des Moines, Iowa.

The World Food Price is the foremost international award recognizing – with regard to race, religion, nationality, or political beliefs – the achievements of individuals who have advanced human development by improving the quality, quantity or availability of food in the world.

Dr. Norman E. Borlaug, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970 for his work in world agriculture, envisioned a prize that would honor those who have made significant and measurable contributions to improving the world’s food supply. Beyond recognizing these people for their personal accomplishments, Borlaug saw The Prize as a means of establishing role models who would inspire others. His vision was realized when The World Food Prize was created in 1986.

Mr. Alan Thoms was honored for a lifetime of service to the State of Iowa. In all his responsibilities, Mr. Thoms made economic development a top priority.

Mr. Thoms held various executive positions for the State of Iowa from 1986 to 2001, including Chief of Staff to Governor Terry Bransted and Director of the Iowa Department of Economic Development. Mr. Thoms also served as a Commissioner for the Iowa Department of Transportation and the Department of Environmental Quality. Mr. Thoms was serving as the Chairman of the Iowa Utility Board when presented the Iowa Venture Award for Distinguished Leadership.