CEDAR FALLS, IOWA – Eric Johnson, Partner at Beecher, Field, Walker, Morris, Hoffman & Johnson, P.C., was elected to lead the Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber Board of Directors during its annual meeting held July 17 at Courier Communications.  Johnson will chair the regional economic and community development organization through its 2019 fiscal year.

Other officers elected to lead the organization with Johnson are: Vice Chair Bryan Earnest, AMPERAGE Marketing & Fundraising; Treasurer Jim McKernan, KWWL; and Past Chair Bob Smith Jr., Lockard Companies.  The officers are joined by TechWorks Campus Chair Tim Hurley; Chamber Council Chair Pete Meehan, Financial Decisions Group; Sue Armbrecht, MidWestOne Bank; and Dave DeVault, John Deere Waterloo Works to form the Alliance & Chamber’s Executive Committee.

The newly elected at-large members of the board include: Pam Delagardelle, CEO UnityPoint Health – Allen Hospital; Jim Walsh, JSA Development; Ty Kimble, Community Main Street Board chair; Mike Mallaro, VGM Group, Inc.; and Leslie Prideaux University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls Tourism & Visitor’s Center Board member.

Retiring from the board are Steve Brewer, U.S. Bank; Dave Bowling, Hy-Vee Food Stores; Brent Johnson, Bike Tech; Mike Butler, retired; Jack Dusenbery, Covenant Medical Center; and Dharmendra Patel, Days Inn.

Work is already in process for the new organization leaders through extensive strategic planning, research and branding efforts, including a community perception survey.

“The Alliance is energized and excited for the immediate future, telling the story of our great community and the people that live and work here,” said acting CEO Cary Darrah, “As part of our strategic planning process, we are taking a deep look into our messaging and branding, continuing to create ways for the whole Cedar Valley to be part of something greater.”

The complete Alliance & Chamber Board of Directors as well as details about the many programs and initiatives of the Alliance & Chamber can be found on their website at www.cedarvalleyalliance.com or by calling Cary Darrah, Acting CEO at (319) 232-1156.

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