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Staff

Maybe you’ve seen them at the farmers’ market or lending a hand at a volunteer program. Here you can learn about and contact the Downtown District staff members who work every day to make downtown Cedar Rapids a great place to be!

Have general questions or comments? We’d love to hear from you! Contact Us

President/CEO

“Cedar Rapids has a marvelous vision for its future, with much of the focus on the vibrancy of downtown and its core neighborhoods. The Downtown District exists to execute those plans, in collaboration with our partners, to make this no less than one of America’s greatest cities.”

I was appointed President & CEO of the Cedar Rapids Downtown District in January 2007. I came here from The Gazette newspaper, where I worked as a reporter and an editor for 11 years. I also served stints in public policy and communications roles with the City of Cedar Rapids and the Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce. I’m honored to be working alongside the exceptional community leaders I’ve found in downtown business circles, the arts and human services sectors, city and county government, the media and so many others who care so deeply about Cedar Rapids.

I’m a native of Random Lake, Wis., and a graduate of Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. My life is fulfilled by family endeavors that include joining my wife, Jennifer, in following the budding academic, swimming, gymnastics, softball – and quite possibly the musical, dramatic and comedic -- careers of our wonderful elementary age daughters Grace and Anna.


Director of Marketing & Community Relations

I joined the Downtown District in October of 2007 after seven years in local media and advertising. My passion for engaging and connecting people to our community served as an exciting transition tool into the role of marketing and community relations director. As a downtown liaison to several organizations throughout the Corridor, I'm honored to help spread the message of downtown development and it's implications on the vibrancy of our whole community.

I graduated from the University of Iowa with a B.A. in Journalism and Communication Studies, as well as concentrations in marketing and public relations. While our roles with the Downtown District are always with us, I'm involved in ImpactCR, participating as a board member for the Cedar Rapids Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, member of the Women’s Leadership Steering Council, Goodwill Business Advisory Council, co-founder of Conquer the Corridor and active in the Connect 2 Community Program. I'm fortunate to have a fantastic family just a short drive away in Illinois, a hyper active weimariner puppy, and the best friends I could ask for living right here in Cedar Rapids.


Vice President

A native of Austin, Texas, I rejoined the Cedar Rapids Downtown District staff as Operations Director in October 2008, after serving as the Marketing and Events Director from July 2006 to September 2007. Named Vice President of CRDD in February 2011, I am leading efforts to revitalize the downtown parking system through implementation of progressive public policies that support downtown’s larger economic development goals. I also continue to manage the Downtown District’s maintenance staff and streetscape beautification efforts.

I am very active in the Cedar Rapids’ community and have volunteered for/volunteer for a variety of organizations including the Junior League of Cedar Rapids, ImpactCR and Planned Parenthood. In 2009, I was named one of the Cedar Rapids-Iowa City Corridor’s 40 Under 40 Leaders. I hold a magna cum laude B.A. from Southwestern University and a M.A. from the University of Texas at Austin. I live in Cedar Rapids with my husband, Linn County Supervisor Ben Rogers.


Director Of Events

Before joining the Downtown District, I was the Box Office Manager and Marketing Assistant for the Cedar Rapids Symphony, an organization rich in downtown history. Now, as the Event Director for the Downtown District, I create and manage a calendar of unique downtown events with the help of our zealous volunteers. In this position, I’ve teamed up with many of our cultural entities and dining and nightlife establishments to create new ways for our community to experience and enjoy what downtown has to offer. I love that our Downtown neighborhood has opportunities to explore, learn, celebrate and taste what makes Cedar Rapids so unique.

I graduated magna cum laude from Wartburg College with a BA in Public Relations and a minor in Theatre. I currently reside in Waverly, with my husband Thad, our bouncing baby boy, Hagen, and dog Mozart.


Marketing & Research Associate

As a native of Cedar Rapids, Downtown has become my place of learning, creating and staying active as a young professional, and in my personal joys. Whether I’m communicating with downtown business owners, collecting information regarding our properties, building and tenants, or creating the newest collateral pieces that show off our upcoming events and programming, everyday is a learning experience for me. I’m a firm believer that a vibrant downtown begins and ends with people who believe in it, and I’m thrilled to be a part of an organization that can see downtown for all that it can be. 

I stay active in our community as a board member for ImpactCR, volunteering for the Willis Dady Emergency Shelter and Gems of Hope, and by instructing at Farrell's Extreme Body Shaping. I graduated from the University of Northern Iowa, where I earned my B.A. in public relations with an emphasis in art and graphic design. Prior to graduation, I was a summer intern at the Downtown District, igniting my interest in downtown development, and being an proactive member of this community. My wonderful husband Nick and I live in Cedar Rapids.


Office Coordinator

I joined the Downtown District team in September of 2010, but was no stranger to its mission or staff members. For more than 15 years prior, I was a longtime downtown employee and avid volunteer of the Downtown District's Program & Events Committee, and served on a variety of sub-committees. I was able to experience the evolution of the Renaissance Group growing into the Cedar Rapids Downtown District, as it is today. I’m proud to be a part of [what I feel is] the heart and soul of our downtown, and admire the leadership and commitment that fuels the enthusiasm of making our mission possible.

I’m married to my high school sweetheart, have three grown children and thoroughly enjoy our seven beautiful grandchildren and our black lab pal, Murphy. In my spare time, I enjoy biking, I'm a “learn as you go” gardener, and love to read. My home is here, in Cedar Rapids and I’m honored to be working side-by-side with those who strive on making it the best community it can be.


Maintenance Coordinator

I joined the Downtown District staff as Maintenance Coordinator in March 2009, after 22 years with the University of Iowa. I'm responsible for the maintenance of downtown, including preventative maintenance, service request response, horticulture activities and event-related tasks. In my position, I often collaborate with Downtown District and City of Cedar Rapids staff to ensure that all maintenance tasks are completed in a timely manner, with an emphasis on superior customer service.

I'm happily married to my wife Jan and we have four very active children. In my free time, I enjoy collecting farm and garden tractors, antiques and landscaping. I was born and raised on a farm in Johnson County, Iowa.