Downtown Community Alliance Names Eugene Meyer President
Downtown Community Alliance (DCA) Co-Chairs Mary O’Keefe and Suku Radia join Greater Des Moines Partnership CEO Jay Byers in announcing that Gene Meyer has accepted the position of President of the DCA. Meyer has been Acting President of the DCA since the position became vacant last month. Meyer’s title and responsibilities become effective immediately, and are in addition to his role as President of the Greater Des Moines Partnership.
“Shortly after commencing a formal search for an executive for DCA, it became apparent that Gene’s extensive role in promoting and developing downtown was an invaluable asset,” said Radia of Bankers Trust. “Gene’s experience serving Des Moines Redevelopment Company, his support of the Capital Crossroads vision implementation work, and his long history of building regional relationships with business and community leaders made him the obvious candidate. The DCA Board of Directors has tremendous confidence in Gene to continue to build upon Downtown Des Moines’ success story.”
Meyer has extensive professional and political experience in strategy development and implementation. He served as Mayor of West Des Moines (1997-2006). He served three elected terms on the West Des Moines Community Schools Board of Education (1988-1997). During that time, he served on the Metropolitan Advisory Council and the Metropolitan Planning Organization. His professional career spans 37 years with the Iowa Department of Public Safety, where he retired as Director of the Department of Criminal Investigation in 2006. He returned to the department as Commissioner in 2007, appointed by Governor Chet Culver, and served in that role until January, 2011. He was named President of the Partnership in January, 2012, overseeing the Capital Crossroads vision plan implementation, the direction of Des Moines Redevelopment Company and the administration of the Greater Des Moines Committee.
The work of DCA represents one of the four pillars of work of the Greater Des Moines Partnership. DCA is a non-profit organization whose mission is to achieve a shared vision for the future of downtown Des Moines by providing leadership, initiative, advocacy and building partnerships, and achieving shared solutions.
Media inquiries should be directed to Amy Baker, (515) 286-4919 or abaker@DSMpartnership.com. Bio and photo are available upon request.
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 320 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.