Building on Success Through Regional Collaboration
The 9 counties in the Opportunity Squared region have economies closely aligned with its agricultural roots- livestock and machinery- along with retail, healthcare, higher education, financial services, and advanced manufacturing contributing to the area’s business base. From single artisan workshops to full scale mass production, Opportunity Squared boasts a diverse business climate. Today, small businesses, large retailers, and major factories co-exist to support a $12.5 billion economy.*
About Us
Meet the Board
The 13-member Board of Directors acts in good faith and loyalty to the mission of supporting workforce attraction, promoting professional development, encouraging entrepreneurship, and attracting, retaining or expanding business opportunities in southeast Iowa.
Responsibilities for Opportunity Squared board members include monitoring and reporting laborshed data, hosting critical summits on the topics of housing, childcare, & small business success, and engaging legislators in conversations of greatest economic development issues.
Allie Bennett
Manager of Economic Development and Member Services
Debra Calvert
Business & Community Development Manager
MidAmerican Energy Company
3500 104th Street
Urbandale, Iowa 50322
Phone: (515) 281-2595
Mobile: (515) 979-1037
Email: debra.calvert@midamerican.com
Deann De Groot
Executive Director
Mahaska Chamber & Development Group
222 1st Ave East.
Oskaloosa, IA
Phone: 641-672-2591
Email: ddegroot@mahaskachamber.org
Carla Eysink
Executive Director
214 East Main,
Knoxville, IA 50138
Phone: 641.828.2257
Mobile: 641.218.6146
Email: ceysink@marioncountyiowa.gov
Tod Faris
Member Services & Economic Development Manager
Chariton Valley Electric Cooperative
2090 Highway 5 South
Albia, IA 52531
Phone: (641) 932-7126
Mobile: (641) 814-3723
David Humburg
Business Liaison-Continuing Education & Workforce Solutions
Indian Hills Community College
626 Indian Hills Drive
Ottumwa, IA 52501
Phone: (641) 683-5213
Mobile: (641) 954-0279
Email: david.humburg@indianhills.edu
Joshua Laraby
Executive Director
Fairfield Economic Development Association
101 N.Court Street. P.O. Box 1388
Fairfield, Iowa 52556
Office: 641.472.3436
Mobile: 920.309.0126
Email: joshua.laraby@growfairfield.com
Sarah Lind
Business Liaison-Continuing Education & Workforce Solutions Lucas, Wayne, Appanoose, Davis & Van Buren Counties
Indian Hills Community College
701 North 1st St.
Centerville, IA 52544
Phone: (641) 856-2143
Email: Sarah.lind@indianhills.edu
Michael Matthes
Director
Promoting Appanoose – Centerville Together
128 N.12th Street
Centerville IA, 52544
Phone: (641) 437-4102
Mobile: (641) 895-3535
Email: economicdevlopment@pactiowa.org
John D. Schroeder
Executive Director
Davis County Development Corporation
110 E. Jefferson St.
Bloomfield, IA 52537
Phone: (641) 664-2300
Mobile: (641) 208-6275
Email: john@daviscounty.org
Sharon Stroh
VP, Industrial Development & Organizational Communication
Greater Ottumwa Partners in Progress
217 E. Main St.
Ottumwa 52501
phone: 641-799-1203 (mobile)
email: sstroh@ottumwaiowa.com
Dan Tometich
Executive Director
Albia Industrial Development Corp
Bates Building
1 Benton Ave, W
Albia, IA 52531
Phone: (641) 777-2916
Email: albia.industrial@gmail.com
David Vollmar
Sr. Key Account Manager
Christopher Watkins
Executive Director
Directors serve without pay and are appointed by the governing body which employs them. Current Officers include Sharon Stroh, Chair and David Humburg, Vice- Chair. Administrative functions are outsourced by contract to Area 15 Regional Planning Commission.
*2018 total sales for all industries in the Opportunity Squared region, based on NAICS description (Emsi complete Class of Worker dataset).