Landauer Named to Professional Developers of Iowa Board

During its Fall Conference last week in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the Professional Developers of Iowa (PDI) voted Shannon Landauer, Executive Director of the Carroll Area Development Corporation (CADC) and Carroll Chamber of Commerce, to its board of directors.

“I’m honored to be a part of this statewide organization dedicated to developing the economic base of Iowa, and I’m looking forward to bringing a local, Carroll voice to this platform,” explains Landauer. She will serve a three-year term, beginning in November. Also beginning three year terms are James Hoelscher, from the University of Northern Iowa’s Institute for Decision Making, and Drew Kamp, from the Ames Chamber of Commerce. In addition to the board position, Landauer serves on the Membership Committee for PDI.

According to Lynn Harkin, CAE, PDI Executive Director, “As an organization, PDI fosters cooperation among its members to produce the best results for Iowa. As individuals, every PDI member makes his or her community a better place to live and work. Our board is committed to taking the organization to the next level.” 

With more than a decade’s experience in economic development, Landauer is an accomplished professional who consistently demonstrates strong leadership and dedication to the industry.

Landauer got her start in economic development at the Boone County Development Agency in Albion, Nebraska. During her tenure there, she served as Administrative Assistant and then Executive Director. Currently she is Executive Director for both the Carroll Area Development Corporation and the Carroll Chamber of Commerce. In this dual role, Landauer administers business retention and expansion activities, identifies and implements workforce development strategies, works to develop a long-term housing strategy for the Carroll County area and provides guidance for new economic developers and business members in the region.
Landauer is a member of the National Rural Economic Developers Association (NREDA) Marketing Committee, PDI Membership Committee, Raccoon Valley Electric Cooperative Revolving Loan Fund Committee, Region XII Council of Governments Revolving Loan Fund Committee and serves as Vice President of Western Iowa Advantage. In 2017 she earned her IEDC Certified Economic Developer Designation.

PDI holds its board elections in conjunction with its annual Fall Conference. This year’s conference theme was “Rise to the Occasion – Though Leadership in Economic Development.” Session topics discussed at this year’s conference included site development case studies, community and organizational growth, bringing talent to Iowa, entrepreneurship and technology, tax reform/tax credits/ITF, local and federal policy updates and more.

“It was a very informative and engaging conference. As always, it’s great to hear what others around the state are doing and take a look at success stories from other areas and consider what we can apply here,” adds Landauer.

PDI is a statewide organization of nearly 320 professional economic developers. PDI’s purpose is to further the development of the economic base of Iowa by fostering cooperation among economic development professionals in the state and affording professional economic developers a vehicle for assembly and collective expression. PDI also provides timely educational opportunities to enhance professional knowledge, growth and effectiveness, and advocates for economic development on the local, state and national levels.