Greater Dubuque Development Corporation (“GDDC”), based in Dubuque, IA, is seeking a dynamic leader to become its next President & Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”). The new CEO will work closely with an engaged Board, committed staff, private sector businesses, government entities, and economic development agencies throughout the region to advance the organization’s mission to foster economic prosperity and growth in the Greater Dubuque region and its vision to create a diverse, dynamic economy that offers exceptional opportunities for businesses and residents alike.
Rick Dickinson, GDDC’ longstanding President & Chief Executive Officer, will retire at the end of 2025 after nearly three decades of leadership. The Board of Directors has embarked on a national search to recruit the organization’ next CEO who will guide the organization in strengthening the regional economy through collaboration with businesses, government, and community organizations, with a focus on talent attraction, business retention and expansion, and innovation.
The new CEO will build upon the region’ strong collaborative ecosystem, serving at times as a convenor, collaborator, project owner, or advisor depending on the circumstance. This executive will bring strategic vision and the ability to learn quickly while elevating the visibility and functioning of this well-funded, growth-oriented organization. GDDC’ $2.6MM annual budget is primarily generated through public and private sector support and grants. This executive will oversee all aspects of the organization, focusing on marketing the region’ business opportunities, which will be accomplished through close collaboration with key partners, including economic development, education, workforce, elected officials, and regional organizations.
The successful candidate will be an inspiring leader who fosters collaboration and advances business development, fundraising, and strategic communication. The CEO will guide marketing efforts and economic development initiatives that support business retention and expansion, workforce solutions, and other strategies that reinforce Greater Dubuque’ competitiveness as a premier location for business growth. Recognizing population growth as a critical driver of success, the CEO will also partner closely with regional stakeholders to achieve this shared objective.
Greater Dubuque Development Corporation
Greater Dubuque Development Corporation (GDDC), a 501(c)(6) nonprofit economic development organization founded in 1984, champions economic vitality across Dubuque County and its six surrounding counties including portions of Iowa, Wisconsin, and Illinois. It fuels growth through strategic collaboration with public and private partners, delivers workforce solutions, supports business development, and pushes initiatives that enhance prosperity and inclusion. Their motto: ΓÇ£YOU can be great here.ΓÇ¥
The organization simplifies growth for businesses by providing tailored support through all stages including site selection, financial incentives, workforce solutions, location listings, newcomer assistance, and access to the top regional job platform, AccessDubuqueJobs.com. It connects employers to talent, helps secure funding and infrastructure support, and opens the door for newcomers and businesses alike.
GDDC leads and convenes. It organizes regional stakeholdersΓÇöincluding chambers, utility providers, education institutions, governments, and businessesΓÇöto share data, align strategies, and drive effective regional planning. It plays leadership roles in organizing economic development activities, supporting community collaboration, and advancing housing, workforce development, and inclusive growth. In the latest year, it played a lead role in advancing a broadband initiative worth over $50 million, bringing high-speed fiber to all businesses and nearly every household in Dubuque, transforming connectivity across the region. Its Child Care Solutions project, executed in partnership with Dubuque Initiatives, earned the organization the 2024 Excellence in Economic Development Award from the International Economic Development Council, highlighting its innovative approach to addressing regional childcare needs. At the July 2025 annual meeting, staff and partners celebrated closing out the organization’ 40th year of service, with nearly $1 billion in construction investment, rising median incomes, and meaningful poverty reduction as benchmark achievements.
As part of the ΓÇ£YOU can be great hereΓÇ¥ campaign, GDDC has set bold goals for 2027:
ΓÇó Grow the regional workforce to 64,000 jobs
ΓÇó Increase median household income to $76,000
ΓÇó Facilitate $1 billion in new construction
ΓÇó Expand the Dubuque metropolitan population to 105,000
ΓÇó Reduce poverty levels by 5%
More information on GDDC can be found on the GDDC website: www.greaterdubuque.org
Greater Dubuque Region
The Greater Dubuque Region, encompassing Dubuque, Iowa, and a surrounding seven-county area, serves as a metropolitan hub along the Mississippi River at the intersection of Iowa, Illinois, and WisconsinΓÇöoften called the Tri-State Area. Home to more than 200,000 residents, the region offers an outstanding quality of life, with abundant outdoor recreation, excellent K—12 public and private schools, and a strong higher education presence that includes five colleges and universities, community and technical colleges, and seminaries. Rich in arts and culture, the area features galleries, festivals, museums, diverse dining, live theaters, ballet, and a symphony. At its heart is Dubuque, known as the ΓÇ£Masterpiece of the MississippiΓÇ¥, a vibrant community recognized among the best small cities in America. With its scenic beauty, historic character, and dynamic economy, Dubuque blends small-town charm with big-city amenities, making it an ideal place for both professional and personal growth.
Key industries in this region include manufacturing, healthcare, publishing, Insurance, and financial services. Top private sector employers in the area include John Deere Dubuque Works, Hodge, and MercyOne Dubuque Medical Center.
For more information on the Greater Dubuque Region, please visit:
ΓÇó City of Dubuque: www.cityofdubuque.org
ΓÇó Dubuque County: www.dubuquecountyiowa.gov
ΓÇó Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce: www.dubuquechamber.com
ΓÇó Travel Dubuque Welcome Center: www.traveldubuque.com
The Position
Location
The President & Chief Executive Officer position is based in the GDDC offices at 900 Jackson Street, Suite 109,
Dubuque, IA 52001
Reporting Relationships
The President & Chief Executive Officer reports to GDDC’s 46+ member Board of Directors (which includes a 19- member Executive Committee). The Executive Committee meets monthly, and the entire Board of Directors meets quarterly.
The CEO will supervise the GDDC staff: Vice President of Operations, Vice President of Business Services, and the Directors of Workforce Recruitment & Retention, Workforce Programming, Communications, Existing Business, an Administrative Assistant, and a Strategic Initiatives Consultant. Other important interactions include: executives and employees of investors; elected/appointed officials and their staffs at the local, state, and Federal levels; owners/executives of businesses with operations in the Greater Dubuque Region; representatives and leaders of other community, economic development, business, and academic organizations in the area and region, including economic development consultants; members of the media; and the public at large.
Position Charter
The President and Chief Executive Officer works closely with the GDDC Board of Directors to execute the mission of the GDDC. The CEO must inspire regional private and public sector leaders to work together to strengthen the position of the Greater Dubuque Region in a highly competitive national and global business marketplace.
Position Profile
The CEO is accountable to the GDDC Board for exercising strong leadership and will work closely with the staff team to establish and adopt short and long-term goals, plans, and strategies. This executive ensures the organization’ financial strength by securing investments, aligning resources, and maintaining active engagement from regional leaders. The CEO is accountable for establishing and maintaining positive and productive relationships with board members, investors, site selectors, local and national media, and other stakeholders while serving as the public face of GDDC.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities include:
ΓÇó Economic development: In concert with the GDDC staff, Lead workforce development, job retention, business expansion, and new industry recruitment. Maintain strong relationships with economic development leaders at local, county, and state levels.
ΓÇó Strategic and annual planning: In concert with the upcoming 5-year funding campaign, work with the Board and staff to develop and annually update a 5-year action plan that provides direction for GDDC’s activities and resource allocation; prepare and execute an annual Work Plan in conjunction with the 5-Year Plan.
ΓÇó Fundraising: Responsible for oversight of investor funding for GDDC’s economic development efforts through the 5-Year fundraising campaign. This could also include securing sponsorships and grants.
ΓÇó Board relations and governance: Work collaboratively with the Executive Committee and the entire Board to refine strategic priorities and ensure proper governance, policy, and procedures are in place to manage activities effectively and ensure compliance with applicable policy, requirements, laws, and regulations.
ΓÇó Staff leadership: Responsible for employment, assignment of duties, supervision, evaluation, training, professional development, and leadership of GDDC’ staff and contractors.
ΓÇó Fiscal management: Develop the GDDC budget and relate it to organization goals. Maintain responsibility for all expenditures within the budget’s framework. Fulfill GDDC’s fiduciary duties and contract obligations with other partners.
ΓÇó Advocacy: Develop and promote relationships with and between LEDO’, elected officials and their staff in the region, in the state capital of Des Moines and in Washington, D.C. Promote open communication and cooperation to solve problems, improve quality of life, and promote economic development.
ΓÇó Public relations: Represent GDDC at all appropriate meetings and act as the chief spokesperson for the organization. Serve in highly visible role with various local, regional, and state organizations to continuously keep GDDC relevant and a voice for economic development and business.
ΓÇó Constituent relationships: Responsible for ongoing interaction and liaison with a broad constituency, including: Board of Directors: Earn and maintain the respect and confidence of the GDDC Board. Investors: Responsible for motivating investors to personally and financially support an aggressive GDDC program. Call on major GDDC investors personally to determine their needs, acknowledge their importance, and increase their involvement and support. Economic Development Professionals: Maintain strong working relationships with other professionals and organizations involved in economic development, including the Iowa Economic Development Authority, chambers of commerce, city economic development departments, utility partners, and others. Government Officials: Maintain strong communication and relationships with elected and appointed officials and their staff within the seven-county region, as well as at the state and federal levels. Community: Through personal contact with key community leaders and organizations including Dubuque Forward, Dubuque Initiatives, Travel Dubuque, the Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque, help shape the Greater Dubuque community and relate GDDC’s work to activities that impact the quality of life in the area. Education: Foster strong relationships with representatives of higher education institutions and school districts. Media: Serve as the GDDC’s official spokesperson to the public at large and to the area and state print and electronic media.
Position Profile
ΓÇó Operations and Policy: Monitor organizational structure and culture to ensure that GDDC functions optimally. Responsible for facility management of the GDDC office.
ΓÇó Other duties: Perform other tasks and responsibilities as may be assigned from time to time by the Board.
Travel:
The CEO is expected to travel within the tri-state region and nationally as needed.
Compensation:
The President & Chief Executive Officer is expected to earn an attractive base salary; incentive bonus, appropriate benefits, and some relocation assistance will be provided. Final compensation will be commensurate with experience.
The Candidate
Professional Qualifications and Experience
An undergraduate degree and an advanced degree in Business, Public Administration, or another discipline is preferred. However, any combination of advanced education, lived, and learned experience will be valued and considered. If the candidate’s background includes service in an economic development-focused organization, then a demonstrated commitment to continued professional development through an industry recognized designation or certification will be appreciated but is optional.
The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in economic development, business management, or public administration in a complex regional market. This experience may come from various professional environments: serving as the top executive of a regional, municipal, county-wide or state economic development organization or a combined chamber of commerce; service as the #2 or another senior-level executive within an organization as noted above; a leader from a private sector business, nonprofit or a public sector organization within a growing regional area that relies on relationships across sectors.
The successful candidate will have the ability to quickly gain credibility with and the confidence of the Greater Dubuque area’s business, political, education, and community leadership as well as the GDDC’ Board and staff. A successful track record of progressively responsible career growth and specific experience working with public and private sectors and other economic development-focused organizations is essential.
Since this is a national search, we anticipate some candidates may now be living in a different region in the United States. It will be important for them to demonstrate an ability to understand the characteristics and cultural climate that make the Greater Dubuque Region unique.
Preferred Knowledge and Skills:
ΓÇó Economic development (has coordinated with public sector delivery systems and private sector resources to effectively promote the economic development of a community, county, region, or state).
ΓÇó Public/private relationships (demonstrated track record of developing effective collaborations and partnerships between the public and private sector).
ΓÇó Board relationships (experience with governance issues and Board of Director interactions).
ΓÇó Staff Leadership experience (strong human resource and staff development skills; can effectively coach, mentor, delegate, inspire, motivate, empower, and create a team focus).
ΓÇó Industry knowledge (current with economic development trends including financing tools, governmental planning, zoning, economic development, and redevelopment).
ΓÇó Established contacts (has developed and maintained connections with business, government, and other public-sector organizations; has relationships with site selection and real estate development professionals).
ΓÇó Sales orientation (experience in marketing and selling a community, county, region, or state; effective negotiation skills).
ΓÇó Strategic planning (adept in refining the mission and focus of an organization and then developing and implementing tactical and strategic plans to fulfill that mission).
ΓÇó Varied industries (experience diverse industries i n c l u d i n g manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, services, entrepreneurial, and start-up enterprises).
ΓÇó Financial acumen/management (able to manage GDDC’ financial affairs; good investor relations).
Position Profile
ΓÇó Educational institutions (demonstrated collaboration with leaders of public and private secondary and technical schools and colleges and universities).
ΓÇó Workforce development (experience in community and regional interconnected solutions to meet employment needs through training, education, career paths, and workforce learning).
ΓÇó Technology (knowledgeable and proactive in understanding current technology and social media and its role in driving business development and supporting staff productivity).
ΓÇó Fundraising (experience with successful resource development activities and campaigns).
ΓÇó Media/public relations (ability to effectively articulate GDDC’s goals, objectives, and accomplishments to the media and the area community).
Desired Personal Traits:
ΓÇó Executive presence and strength (polished; self-confident; sets limits and boundaries; take-charge individual; able to respectfully deliver an unpopular opinion and establish independence as an organization supporting all interests in the region).
ΓÇó Strategic thinker and visionary (can see beyond daily operations toward broader strategic goals; “big picture” oriented with the ability to energize others to share a vision of future opportunities and outcomes).
ΓÇó Ethical (person of good character and integrity; adheres to the highest ethical and moral standards).
ΓÇó Authentic/Transparent (genuine and open; communicates honestly and directly; builds trust by being consistent in words and actions).
ΓÇó Human relations skills (relates well to people; builds constructive and effective relationships; tactful).
ΓÇó Collaborative (demonstrates a willingness and ability to work with and through others; diplomatic).
ΓÇó Communication skills (excellent listener; outstanding written and oral communication abilities; strong presentation skills).
ΓÇó Energetic (pro-active; a self-starter; genuinely enthusiastic; strong personal work ethic).
ΓÇó Savvy (possesses the confidence, perception, and know-how to maneuver through complex situations effectively and with finesse).
ΓÇó Teamwork (recognizes that many parties are necessary to accomplish big things; shares credit with others).
ΓÇó Results driven (focused on achieving results with excellence; committed and motivated by measurable outcomes).
ΓÇó Organizational skills (results-oriented; sets clear priorities and meets established goals and objectives).
ΓÇó Entrepreneurial (takes initiative; a proactive person who demonstrates leading-edge thinking).
ΓÇó Adaptable/Flexible (resilient; able to adjust quickly to fluid and complex situations).
ΓÇó Confidence/credibility (can earn and command the respect of the Board, staff, business, government, and other regional leaders).
ΓÇó Decision Making (makes informed decisions; finds clarity in complex situations, able to make tough calls; possesses sound judgment).
ΓÇó Persuasive (synthesizes various viewpoints and mobilizes support to accomplish key projects and objectives; can effectively broker deals).
ΓÇó Regional sensibility (has or can develop an appreciation for regional culture and industry-specific standards for success).
Challenges and Opportunity
Key accomplishments and challenges for the new President & Chief Executive Officer in the first year and beyond
include:
ΓÇó Establish presence as the GDDC’s CEO, including understanding the details of the organization’s day-to-day operations and becoming knowledgeable about the work of its municipal, county-wide, and regional partners, staff, finances, current initiatives, and Board members.
ΓÇó Initiate formal and informal introductions and connections with GDDC investors, key industry leaders, and key stakeholders through varied communications and in-person meetings.
ΓÇó Work to effectively execute GDDC’s next 5-year fundraising campaign, which is slated to kick off in 2026, and contribute to the creation of the 5-year Work Plan (2027-2032).
ΓÇó Embrace and articulate GDDC’s ongoing vision, which focuses on economic prosperity and growth of the region. Continue development of identified and future target industry clusters. Work collaboratively with the Board, staff, and partners to evaluate the strategic direction and efficiency of GDDC and offer a vision for possible short- and long-term changes along with metrics associated with its success.
ΓÇó Enhance GDDC marketing by identifying effective ways to best educate the necessary audiences on “what” the GDDC does and “how” the GDDC delivers growth.
ΓÇó Form effective working relationships with key executives and staff, municipal, county, state, and national government leaders, entrepreneurial business owners and corporate executives, economic, community, and tourism partner organizations, college, and other educational officers, and the nonprofit community by listening, observing, and interacting. Be known in the community.
ΓÇó Continue the progress of business development efforts with particular emphasis on pro-active retention and expansion efforts of not only companies in the seven county region but also those with out-of-town headquarters. Continue to expand efforts to effectively serve BIPOC and small businesses in the area, providing support and counsel as they seek to develop and grow their organizations.
ΓÇó Find the balance between proactively seeking new business recruitment opportunities and developing a solid prospect pipeline while tackling and addressing the existing pipeline.
The President & Chief Executive Officer position of Greater Dubuque Development Corporation is an outstanding opportunity for an economic development, chamber, municipal leader, or private sector executive to lead a well regarded organization at the forefront of regional economic development. The next GDDC CEO needs to be assertive in working with and partnering with area business executives, education leaders, and government officials in making decisions critical to the continued growth and prosperity of the area. With a strong foundation of community support, the new executive will work with an engaged and committed Board of Directors and professional colleagues on the staff, who are eager to move GDDC’s objectives forward.
GDDC is not content with the status quo and has high expectations for its new CEO, as this executive will lead them into “the next chapter” of continued growth for the residents and businesses of the Greater Dubuque Region, the entire tristate area, and for GDDC itself.
Contacts
If you know an outstanding economic development or chamber of commerce executive or other business leader who meets these requirements and would be interested in evaluating this dynamic opportunity, please email: Dubuque@Waverly-Partners.com
Heidi Milosovic, Managing Partner
WAVERLY PARTNERS | a Ward Howell company
O: 440.355.6629; M: 216.387.0832 |
Sara Cikalo, Partner
WAVERLY PARTNERS | a Ward Howell company
O: 440.933.0096; M: 440.821.4437 |
E: HMilosovic@Waverly-Partners.com E: SCikalo@Waverly-Partners.com
The Greater Dubuque Development Corporation and WAVERLY PARTNERS firmly support the principle and philosophy of equal opportunity for all. All applicants will be considered for employment regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.
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