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About Greater
Iowa City, Inc.

We elevate local companies, invest in community development, and build a resilient economy.

Who we are

Greater Iowa City, Inc. (Greater IC) is a network of business and public sector leaders who collaborate to support local companies, guide investment, and grow a resilient economy. With over 1,000 members, we serve all businesses and business interests in Johnson County, Iowa.

Transition Executive Board

Our board consists of officers from the previous Iowa City Area Development (ICAD) and Iowa City Area Business Partnership (ICABP) boards’ executive committees. They will have a permanent governance structure for Greater IC developed to begin July 2025. At that time, the board will be called the “Executive Council.”

Transition Executive Board (TEB) Members: Robin Therme (chair), Carolyn “Dazi” Wallace (secretary), Todd Means, Geoff Fruin, Kelly Haworth, Pete Mathes, Chris Klitgaard, Patrice Carroll, Adam Keune, Jennie Wunderlich, and Lisa Shileny.

Innovation Councils Board

Innovation Councils will structure our work. Each council is a “working” group comprised of individuals who have experience and understanding to conduct outreach and develop the work. In order to help develop leadership skills in investor companies, these members are not necessarily intended to be CEOs, rather directors or other leadership that will be given the time to tackle issues and review or partner with Greater IC staff to facilitate the programs.

 

Business Support Innovation Council
Economic Development Innovation Council
Community Development Innovation Council

Ambassadors

Our Ambassadors are the face of Greater IC. They welcome new businesses to the community and celebrate milestones of longstanding businesses. They connect and support our businesses – one connection at a time.

Meet our team

The Greater IC team works every day to support the companies and entrepreneurs who are creating the jobs the vitality that our communities rely on.

We are invested in this community, both personally and professionally, serving on over 25 boards and organizations. We believe in giving back to our community to help our area grow. We continue to outpace national trends for economic growth but we know now is not the time for complacency. We want to keep driving innovation and ensure our future is strong and sustainable.

Greater Iowa City, Inc. team

Nancy Bird

President & CEO

Cady Gerlach

Senior Director of Community Development & Executive Director of Better Together 2030

Mary Willie

Vice President of Operations

Mackenzie DeRoo

Senior Director of Advocacy

Liz Hubing

Senior Director of Workforce and Business Innovation

Austin Korns

Senior Director of Economic Development

Thom Johnson

Director of Member Engagement

Sarah Thompson

Director of Rural Development

Krista Hershberger

Director of Marketing

Stephanie Verdinez

Director of Business Support Programs

Maria Schussler

Event Operations Manager

Manager of coworking facility at MERGE Iowa City

Connor Gast

Manager of Co-Working Facilities & Operational Support

Where we work

We work in cities, towns, and rural areas in greater
Iowa City – or Johnson County, Iowa.

Because the success of greater Iowa City depends on regional collaborations, we work together with partners throughout the 7-county area and the state of Iowa to develop our region as a whole.

Our history

1936

Officially incorporated in 1936 as the Chamber of Commerce of Iowa City

1981

Changed name to Greater Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce

1983

Iowa City/Coralville Convention and Visitors Bureau was spun out of the chamber as a separate entity

1984

Iowa City Area Development was spun out of the chamber as a separate entity

1988

The chamber merged with the Coralville Chamber of Commerce and changed name to Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce

2000

Community Foundation of Johnson County started as a project through the Community Leadership Program

2020

The chamber changed name to Iowa City Area Business Partnership to better reflect how we work with our members

2023

Iowa City Area Development and Iowa City Area Business Partnership merged and changed our name to Greater Iowa City, Inc. (Greater IC).


Learn more about the merger

Contact a team member

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