Impacted Worker Response Efforts and Return of Commercial Air Service Focus of September Future Leadership Team Meeting
On Wednesday, September 4, 2024, the Greater Dubuque Development Future Leadership Team met for its regularly scheduled quarterly meeting. This 30-person advisory group, comprised of emerging professionals and community leaders, meets quarterly to discuss and make recommendations on relevant economic development topics, playing a vital role for the Greater Dubuque Development Board of Directors. These dynamic individuals bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas, significantly contributing to our economic, workforce, and community development initiatives. At this most recent meeting, the Future Leadership Team discussed important and timely topics including Greater Dubuque Development's layoff and closure engagement to support impacted workers and the recently announced return of commercial air service to Dubuque Regional Airport.
Regarding layoffs, closures, and impacted workers in the region, the Greater Dubuque Development team highlighted the organization's proactive approach to addressing these events as part of our workforce retention strategy. By closely monitoring Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) announcements, media advisories, and collaborating with workforce partners in Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin, Greater Dubuque Development stays on top of coming events. Early awareness allows us to take shift action to retain and support affected talent within the region, leveraging tools like targeted recruitment, job fairs, and marketing campaigns. By engaging with local employers and utilizing resources from workforce partners, Greater Dubuque Development enhances collaborative rapid response to layoff and closure to keep skilled workers in the Greater Dubuque region by connecting them with their next career opportunity with a regional employer.
Next, Rick Dickinson, CEO & President of Greater Dubuque Development, discussed the return of commercial air service at the Dubuque Regional Airport. The new service, provided by Denver Air Connection, will operate 6 days a week, providing connection between Dubuque Regional Airport and Chicago/O’Hare International Airport. Following the presentation by staff, the Future Leadership Team members discussed this new service in depth, diving into perceived pros and cons, and asking questions to equip them to take information back to their internal teams to advocate for flying Dubuque whenever possible.
The September meeting was the first for several newly elected Future Leadership Team members including: Chad Breitsprecker (Dupaco Community Credit Union), Christina Clayton (McGraw Hill | Higher Education), Lisa Demmer Dubuque Community School District, Staci Duerr (Premier Bank), Katie Hanten (MercyOne Dubuque Medical Center), Tony Hoefelmeyer (Blacks Hills Energy), Matt Kramer (MidWestOne Bank), Tucker Labelle (Clarke University), Jennifer Mond (HODGE), Antonio Mouzon (City of Dubuque), Samantha Reed (Medical Associates Clinic), John Sanchez (Diamond Jo Casino), Shara Sparrgrove (Northeast Iowa Community College), and Jack Studier (East Central Intergovernmental Agency).
The 30 members of the Future Leadership Team serve staggered 24-month terms, and provide feedback to the board of directors and management team on annual and long-range strategies to achieve the objectives of Greater Dubuque Development. One member of the Future Leadership Team serves as a voting member of the Greater Dubuque Development Board of Directors. The next scheduled quarterly meeting is Wednesday, December 4, 2024.
View a list of Future Leadership Team members.
For more information about the Future Leadership Team, contact Nic Hockenberry, Director of Workforce Programming at nicholash@greaterdubuque.org or Mandi Dolson, Director of Workforce Recruitment & Retention at mandid@greaterdubuque.org. Both can be reached by phone at 563-557-9049.
