C.R. Metro Economic Alliance names communications manager

CEDAR RAPIDS -- The marketing and communications director for The Eastern Iowa Airport has been named communications manager for the recently formed Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance.

Pam Hinman, who has held her position at the airport for 11 years, will begin working for the Economic Alliance on Jan. 30. She will supervise the communications team and lead the organization's strategic communications and marketing efforts, according to Doug Neumann, executive vice president of the Economic Alliance.

"We are eager to have Pam join the Economic Alliance," Neumann said. "The communications team will be essential in establishing this new organization and creating a unified message."

Hinman, who has previous experience as a print journalist and editor, said she looks forward to joining the Economic Alliance.

"I am very excited to join the Economic Alliance and take the skills I have learned at the airport and bring them into the broader economic development community," she said.

During Hinman's tenure, she has served under three airport directors -- Larry Mullendore, Dan Mann and Tim Bradshaw.

Bradshaw on Wednesday said a search for a replacement for Hinman will begin very soon. He said the airport will provide details of that process in the coming days.

The Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance began operating Jan. 1 after the merger of the Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, Cedar Rapids Downtown District and Priority One. The Economic Alliance combines and aligns the economic development, business support and community development efforts of the former organizations.