Ed Wallace Named President/CEO of the West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce
West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce Board Chair Julie Eliason announced today that Ed Wallace has been chosen as President/CEO of the West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce. Ed currently serves as Deputy Director of Iowa Workforce Development.
“Ed could recognize we are on a unique trajectory and he demonstrated a contagious passion to drive us forward into unprecedented territory,” said Eliason. ““It is truly a privilege to have someone with Ed’s background lead our organization. Ed’s leadership dealing with workforce and tax policy, coupled with his experience serving state and federal government officials provides our members with a President and CEO who understands the real issues businesses face daily. Additionally, Ed will advance our goal of offering further education related to local, state and federal public policy.”
The West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce serves 650 business members and aligns a wide variety of programming and business resources with the continuously evolving needs of its members. The organization’s previous President and CEO, Dave Schwartz, departed in May to assume the CEO position of the Greater Des Moines YMCA.
“I want to thank Julie Eliason and the search committee for this tremendous opportunity to shape a new chamber model and continue to grow membership, provide quality programming, and champion West Des Moines globally,” said Wallace. “I look forward to collaborating with chamber members, economic developers, city and state officials and all West Des Moines community stakeholders.”
Wallace has spent the past five years as Deputy Director and State Workforce Information Administrator for Iowa Workforce Development. Previously he spent four years as president of the nonpartisan Iowa Taxpayers Association, a business tax policy group comprised of over 160 firms in and around the state of Iowa.
Wallace served as an aide to U.S. Attorney Matthew Whitaker in Des Moines, Iowa and as an aide to U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley in the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance in Washington, DC.
Wallace is a native of Iowa City, Iowa where he attended Iowa City Regina High School. He earned a B.A. degree from Simpson College and an MBA from the Tippie School of Management at the University of Iowa. Wallace currently resides with his wife Jennifer and two sons.
Wallace will begin his duties Aug. 22, 2016.
About the Greater Des Moines Partnership
The Greater Des Moines Partnership is the economic and community development organization that serves Greater Des Moines (DSM), Iowa. Together with 23 Affiliate Chambers of Commerce, more than 6,100 Regional Business Members and more than 330 Investors, The Partnership drives economic growth with one voice, one mission and as one region. Through innovation, strategic planning and global collaboration, The Partnership grows opportunity, helps create jobs and promotes DSM as the best place to build a business, a career and a future. Learn more at DSMpartnership.com.