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About the Alliance & Chamber |
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The Greater Cedar Valley Alliance is a regional economic and community development corporation working to increase economic vitality and quality job creation in the Waterloo/Cedar Falls area and surrounding economic region. Our Role Cedar Valley area business and community leaders created the Alliance & Chamber to align economic development efforts and increase the region’s competitiveness in the global economy. The Alliance & Chamber also promotes the Cedar Valley with One Voice through Government Relations, Strategic Communications & Branding, and Information & Research services. Greater Cedar Valley Alliance Strategic Statements.  Alliance & Chamber StaffShared ServicesSteven J. Dust CEcD Bob Justis I.O.M Mary Jo Albright Amy B. Anderson Molly Brown Cary Darrah Shari Ford Sue Hansen Terry L Johnston Linda Laylin Kim Schleisman Lisa Rivera Skubal CEcD Sandi Sommerfelt Bette Wubbena Downtowns/Cultural DistrictsJeff Kurtz Carol Lilly Steven Lind Convention & TourismKim Burger Aaron Buzza Alliance & Chamber / Community DevelopmentBob Justis IOM Molly Brown Bette Wubbena Jay Stoddard Alliance Board of DirectorsJean Trainor Hugh Field Kris Hansen Steven Dust CEcD Ken Lockard Dr. Ben Allen Sue Armbrecht Dave Braton Mayor Buck Clark Dr. Darrel Colson Mayor Jon Crews Rich Czarnecki Chris Fereday Kathy Flynn Tim Hurley Gil Irey Reid Koenig Jim Krieg Kathryn Kunert Rose Lorenz Jane Messingham Dr. Gary Norris Tom Penaluna Bob Petersen Jim Sulentic Steve Tscherter Dee Vandeventer Russ Wasendorf, Sr. Craig White Greater Cedar Valley Alliance Governance Chart. Alliance Programs & ProjectsEconomic Development Committee – The EDC is comprised of volunteers who are involved in various aspects of economic development process. The committee works with the Commercial & Industrial Development staff to ensure that the collective expertise of the Cedar Valley is available to be applied to business expansion and recruitment projects. The committee members also provide valuable feedback on opportunities in the Cedar Valley economy. Click on Economic Development tab to learn more. Cedar Valley Workforce – Workforce development and recruitment takes on new importance with expanding existing businesses and demographic shifts. In partnership with Hawkeye Community College, Iowa Workforce Development and our Cedar Valley regional partners in economic development, the Alliance is leading the creation of a comprehensive workforce development strategy to ensure a skilled workforce for jobs of the future. The Alliance is also developing a workforce recruitment strategy to recruit qualified candidates for current job openings and professional opportunities in the Cedar Valley. Air Service Committee- Air Service works to retain current commercial passenger air lines, pursue new commercial passenger and cargo air service providers for Cedar Valley passengers and shippers, maintain customer service levels at Waterloo Regional Airport, and create a regional governance and operation platform for the airport. The committee is comprised of volunteers from throughout the Cedar Valley and staff involved in development, the travel industry and tourism, customer service, general aviation, and cargo. TechWorks CampusTechWorks operates a 43 acre riverfront campus that is focused on developing the Cedar Valley’s bio-products economy, along with complementary advanced manufacturing and information technologies operations. TechWorks opens in early 2009 as the National Ag Based Lubricants Center opens its new laboratory. Click on TechWorks Campus to learn more. Green Cedar ValleyThis initiative will work with Cedar Valley businesses and partners to increase energy efficiency, encourage the use of green technologies and products in construction and operations, and pursue alternative energy production and options for consumption in business operations. This initiative will be launched in September 2008 with a symposium on energy efficient commercial building design and construction. Shared ServicesIntegration Committee – The Integration Committee is comprised of volunteer and staff representatives of the Alliance organizations. The mission is to prioritize and implement cooperative projects in administrative areas, such as human resources policies and programs, benefits, information technologies, and organizational design. This committee is chaired by the Alliance Vice Chair. Finance Committee – Finance maintains the financial integrity and capital structure of the Alliance. Comprised of volunteer financial professionals and staff, the committee also oversees relationships with auditors and financial institution relationships. The Finance Committee is also the Alliance Compliance Committee and reviews proposed compliance policies. The Alliance Treasurer serves as chair of this committee. Strategic Communications Committee – This volunteer committee guides the coordination of the strategic message of the Alliance to increase affinity of current Cedar Valley residents and businesses, and increase the positive image of the Cedar Valley to external businesses and influencers. The committee provides input on the selection and utilization of communications consultants. Government Relations – Volunteers and staff work together to advance the priorities of the Cedar Valley business community in the local, state, and federal governments. Click on Government Relations/Action Network to learn more. Information & Research – The Alliance publishes a quarterly Cedar Valley Economic Indicators and an annual Community Fact Sheet. These are available by clicking on News & Events, or Economic Development. The Alliance also updates cost of living, census, and other important economic base data. Investor Relations – The Alliance provides special opportunities for investors to be involved in projects that literally change the landscape of the Cedar Valley and add to the economic vitality of the economic area. Investors have input into Alliance programming and receive updates on the programs underway. Special investor events are sponsored, such as the recent two-day session with Richard Longworth, author of Caught in the Middle – America’s Heartland in the Age of Globalism.  Be Part of Something Greater |
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