Nancy Bird to lead Iowa City Location Improvement/ Business enterprise Partnership

IOWA CITY — Nancy Bird, former executive director of the Iowa City Downtown District, has been named CEO of the newly merged Iowa City Location Improvement and Iowa City Business enterprise Partnership.

“These are two excellent organizations coming collectively,” Bird told The Gazette. “Leadership on each boards have worked collectively to bring the two collectively seamlessly — the group has a vibrant vision for the future — and I am definitely excited to get to function with them.”

Boards of the two organizations voted in November to merge July 1 to greater concentrate on financial requires in the neighborhood, like youngster care, workforce shortages and cost-effective housing.

Bird will start off in June and lead the two organizations by way of a rebranding and in implementing the bylaws and legal structure authorized by the two boards final November.

Robin Therme, chair of the merged board of directors, stated in a news release Thursday that the board is excited to bring Bird’s knowledge and talent to the new organization.

“Her broad knowledge in neighborhood improvement and her track record of executing a clear vision make her ideally equipped to meet the requires of this new organization,” Therme stated.

Adam Keune, former chair of the Iowa City Business enterprise Partnership, echoed Therme, emphasizing his self-confidence in Bird’s potential to lead the new organization.

“As we embark on this fascinating new chapter as a combined organization, we have each self-confidence in her potential to steer us toward development and heightened effect, furthering our attain and amplifying the good distinction we make in the Johnson County neighborhood,” Keune stated.

Bird, whose salary was not disclosed, led the Iowa City Downtown District for just about a decade.

With her departure, the downtown district’s board appointed Betsy Potter, the present inventive solutions director, as its new executive director.

Comments: 319-368-8877 liam.halawith@thegazette.com