Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance names new leader

CEDAR RAPIDS — The Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance has tapped Juliet Abdel as its new president and CEO.

  Buy Photo

As CEO, Abdel will serve as the alliance’s top officer and oversee administrative and management functions related to the organization’s goals around business, economic, and population growth in the greater Cedar Rapids area. Her first day will be July 28.

“I am excited and honored to join the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance,” Abdel said in a news release. “I look forward to working with the board, staff and stakeholders to proactively engage with businesses of all sizes during a time of notable growth in our community and region.”

Abdel was selected by the alliance’s policy board to replace outgoing director Doug Neumann, who in February announced his intent to step down after nearly two decades in economic development.

The alliance, based in downtown Cedar Rapids, is an economic development engine with 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.

Abdel comes to the role with more than 15 years of economic development experience, having served most recently as the president of the Greater Topeka (Kansas) Chamber and senior vice president of the Greater Topeka Partnership.

She has earned the designation of certified chamber executive from the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives and is a graduate of the Institute for Organization Management at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

She also holds a bachelor's degree in business administration and master’s degree in international studies, both from Oklahoma State University.

Economic Alliance policy board chair Anne Parmley stated in the news release that she was thankful for the collaborative effort that went into Abdel’s selection and she is confident in Abdel’s ability to take on the new role.

As part of its recruitment process, the alliance retained the assistance of Waverly Partners and Seda Consulting to work with a board-designated search committee.

"We are deeply grateful to the search committee and key stakeholders for their dedication and thoughtful engagement throughout this process. Their commitment ensured a thorough and inclusive search, and we are thrilled to have reached a unanimous decision in welcoming Juliet to lead the Economic Alliance,” Parmley wrote.

Comments: grace.nieland@thegazette.com