Cultural Corridor Alliance names new director

Abby Ballain has been named executive director of the Iowa Cultural Corridor Alliance.

She replaces Joe Jennison, who resigned in May after four years with the organization. Jennison joined the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Community Development Group on June 1, 2010, as its main street and marketing director.

Originally from Shenandoah, Ballain, 27, brings a background in business and arts management to the Corridor role.

She most recently served as the marketing project assistant with the Madison Symphony Orchestra, where she was instrumental in increasing the organization's “Club 201” attendance by 20 percent over one year. She previously worked as a project manager for Epic Systems Corporation in Verona, Wis., where she focused on strategic development for ambulatory practice roll-outs, specializing in access and revenue. Additionally, she serves as manager of Madison's Ancora String Quartet.

More than 50 applications were received for the position. Applications were reviewed by a five-member board-appointed search committee.

Ballain received her undergraduate degree in music management from Luther College in Decorah, where she served as the tour coordinator for the Celebration Iowa Singers and Jazz Band. She also performed with Luther's Nordic Choir and coordinated the college's Center Stage Series as president of the Performing Arts Committee. She earned her MBA in arts administration from the Wisconsin School of Business, serving as president of the Graduate Women in Business organization; communication chair for the Graduate Business Association,;and a member of the Artful Business Collective group.

Ballain has remained musically active, performing with the Verona Area Community Theatre, the Madison Opera Chorus and MadFusion a cappella.

“The Board is very pleased that Abby has accepted our offer to be the new cxecutive cirector of ICCA,” said David Kilpatrick, board president for the cultural alliance. “Her education, background and training will be a strong asset to each of our members and to the organization as a whole.”

“ICCA excels in bringing together artistic organizations in the Corridor,” Ballain said. “I look forward to joining the ICCA team and working with the members and the board to continue to build and cultivate an artistic Eastern Iowa, and to make the Corridor a destination for travelers looking for an outstanding artistic experience.”

Ballain begins her duties Aug. 1. The board will hold a welcome reception for ICCA members from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, July 12, 2010, at the Cedar Ridge Winery in Swisher.

The alliance is made up of 150 member organizations representing the spectrum of arts and culture organizations in Eastern Iowa. Board members are David Kilpatrick, president; Marcia Hughes, vice president; Dennis Green, treasurer; Nancy Mayfield, secretary; and Josh Beadle, Mary Blackwood, Darcy Caraway, Wally Chappell, Deb Dunkhase, KC Kiner, Quinn Pettifer, Bob Untiedt, Marilee Fowler and Josh Schamberger.

For more information, go to 

www.culturalcorridor.org