Doug Neumann steps down as leader of Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance

  Buy Photo

CEDAR RAPIDS — After nearly two decades of championing economic development — the last nine years as executive director of the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance — Doug Neumann plans to step down this year.

“I'm 55 years old, and I still have another chapter to write. I want that to be something that allows me more freedom to spend more time with family and friends … but I do think that there will still be some kind of professional opportunity for me to continue to contribute to the community,” Neumann said in an interview. “I’m openhearted and open-minded to whatever that might look like.”

Neumann has worked in various roles for economic development in the area for 19 years — before the Economic Alliance was formed. He was the downtown district director when the district merged with the Economic Development Group and the Chamber of Commerce to create the alliance in 2012. As its executive director, he was paid a base salary of over $203,000 a year, according to a 2023 public tax form.

The alliance, based in downtown Cedar Rapids, has some 1,200 members and perhaps is best known among the public for its annual Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmers Market and its Cedar Rapids Restaurant Week events.

Before his work in economic development, Neumann worked in other community-facing jobs, including as a reporter and opinion editor for The Gazette and as executive assistant to Mayor Lee Clancey beginning in 1999.

“This area has so many incredible business stories, things that are made here that people didn't know and can hardly imagine,” Neumann said. “When I think about what's changed over 32 years in Cedar Rapids, or 19 years doing economic development, it’s my appreciation for businesses and business leaders.”

Neumann said that one of the biggest highlights of his career was working with businesses on recovery immediately following the historic flood of 2008 and helping with community reimagining during the years that followed. He said it gave him the opportunity to connect with business owners around the community at a time when everyone was struggling together to rebuild.

“This still is a relationship business, and there's nothing more valuable than a one-on-one conversation with a business owner, and no more powerful question you can ask than ‘How's business?’” Neumann said. “People like to talk about their business, and it's not always good news. They like to talk about the challenges. They like to talk about changes. They like to talk about things that are good and going well.”

  Buy Photo

The alliance board has approved contracts with a national executive search firm — Waverly Partners — and a local firm — Seda Consulting — to lead a nationwide search to replace Neumann. The board is open to hiring a local leader for the position, or to hiring someone from elsewhere, according to a news release from the alliance.

The board believes the search could take up to six months. Neumann will remain in his position until the transition to a new director is complete.

“We’re blessed that Doug and his entire team have really positioned us to be doing this leadership transition from a position of strength and with an intentional and deliberate succession plan that ensures we have great leadership for our next chapter,” board Chair Anne Parmley said in a statement. “We’ll rely on the continued support of the business community, and they should expect that we don’t miss a beat delivering on our promises of economic and workforce growth and initiatives to help businesses succeed.”

Ron Corbett, former mayor of Cedar Rapids and current vice president of economic development for the Economic Alliance, has worked with Neumann in multiple positions in the city. He said he’s grateful for the work Neumann has done in Cedar Rapids, and he will be sad to lose the institutional knowledge that Neumann brought to the alliance.

“That's probably one of the more challenging things that our board’s going to face. Do they look at trying to find someone local that has a lot of community knowledge, or do you bring in someone from outside of the community that doesn't have any historical biases or preconceived notions, who comes in with a fresh look at everything?” Corbett said. “I certainly want someone that's going to be a leader and continue to advocate for the business community. … I think what has made Doug successful over the years is his balanced approach to listening to everybody and listening to all the voices.”

Comments: (319) 398-8328; emily.andersen@thegazette.com