Jim Miller selected to serve as executive director of The District: Czech Village and New Bohemia

CEDAR RAPIDS — Jim Miller, a Cedar Rapids native who has held numerous roles leading community organizations, has been tapped to serve as the next executive director of The District: Czech Village and New Bohemia, succeeding Monica Vernon.

Miller will assume his role atop the “Main Street” organization Oct. 30, fully beginning service in late November, according to a news release. He currently serves as the Illinois Main Street state coordinator with Main Street America, where he works with 22 designated communities across Illinois to give leadership training, community and board development, fundraising guidance and marketing partnerships.

In a statement, Miller said he was born and raised in southwest Cedar Rapids, graduating from Wilson Middle School and Jefferson High School, and has many memories in this neighborhood.

“I clearly remember meeting at CSPS soon after the flood of 2008, discussing the district and working with the Iowa Economic Development Authority to begin recovery and revitalization,” Miller said. “I've enjoyed my role as supporter, volunteer and board director in the past, and I'm humbled and excited to be in Cedar Rapids. Working together, we’ll make some great things happen. I’m grateful for this opportunity, and I look forward to serving the community, neighborhood and over 220 businesses.”

He previously served as interim executive director with CSPS Hall, vice president with the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library and was the longtime executive director with the Historic Valley Junction Foundation in West Des Moines. Miller has worked with communities in several states, is a nationally Certified Main Street Manager and is an active Cedar Rapids community volunteer and advocate.

In Cedar Rapids, he serves as board president for Playtime Poppy Children’s Theatre and as board director and secretary for Revival Theatre Company.

“We are thrilled to welcome Jim as our new executive director,” Board President Jeff Morrow said in a statement. “He brings leadership, enthusiasm, local knowledge and experience that will move us forward and continue building on our successes. We are lucky to have Jim at the helm.”

Miller has been splitting his time between Cedar Rapids and Rock Island. With this job change, he will live full-time in Cedar Rapids.

Vernon in July announced her resignation from the role, effective in September. She stayed on as administrator of the Czech Village-New Bohemia Self-Supported Municipal Improvement District commission, or SSMID, which decides how to spend self-imposed tax dollars collected from commercial and industrial properties within the district to make improvements in the district.

The commission, made up of developers, property owners and business leaders within the district, voted unanimously for Vernon to stay in that capacity.

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