New Leadership Roles Strengthen Regional and Workforce Development

Greater Dubuque Development has announced new leadership roles for Nic Hockenberry and Mandi Dolson, aligning the organization’s staff structure with the priorities of its five-year strategic plan.

Nic has been named Greater Dubuque Development’s first Director of Regional Development, a new position created to provide strategic leadership and coordination across economic development, talent attraction, data, and community initiatives. He joined the organization in September 2021 as Director of Workforce Programming.

As Director of Regional Development, Nic will lead regional collaboration, support business retention and expansion, translate economic and workforce data into actionable insights, and advance initiatives related to housing, transportation, workforce pathways, and business-ready development. He will also continue to co-coordinate the Future Leadership Team and work with Northeast Iowa Community College on Dubuque Works, the annual Skills Gap Analysis, and Opportunity Dubuque.

Mandi has been named Director of Workforce Solutions, expanding upon her previous role as Director of Workforce Recruitment & Retention. As Greater Dubuque Development’s workforce solutions leader, she will work with employers and regional partners across the full spectrum of workforce development—from attracting and retaining talent to connecting businesses with training resources and responding to changing workforce needs.

Mandi will continue leading Greater Dubuque Development’s partnerships with AccessDubuqueJobs.com partners and the regional human resources community, along with newcomer programs and services such as Distinctively Dubuque. Her expanded responsibilities also broaden her involvement with higher education outreach, workforce training connections, and assistance related to Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification—or WARN—events.

“Employers’ workforce needs do not fit neatly within a single program or strategy,” said Jason White, President & CEO of Greater Dubuque Development. “These roles allow us to provide more coordinated support—connecting businesses with the people, programs, information, and resources they need while strengthening the broader conditions that support regional growth.”

Together, the new roles strengthen Greater Dubuque Development’s ability to respond to employers’ immediate workforce needs while advancing long-term strategies that help businesses, careers, and communities thrive in the Greater Dubuque region. 

To connect with Nic Hockenberry, Director of Regional Development, email nicolash@greaterdubuque.org and to contact Mandi Dolson, Director of Workforce Solutions, email mandid@greaterdubuque.org. Both can be reached at 563-557-9049.