Former Iowa state senator and television news anchor Liz Mathis has been named as the first-ever economic development coordinator for the Hiawatha Economic Development Corporation (HEDCO).
Ms. Mathis’ appointment to the newly-created position was announced Thursday, Oct. 19, after previously being approved by HEDCO’s leadership and board members.
She begins her new role with HEDCO Nov. 1, according to a news release.
“Liz has years of experience working on business growth and understanding the issues surrounding workforce development and shortages,” Hiawatha City Manager Dennis Marks said. “We are pleased she will join us to help Hiawatha thrive.”
Chad Pelley, HEDCO’s current board chair, said the group, made up entirely of volunteers, has long recognized the need for a dedicated development leader.
“Boards are busy,” he said.”We’re made up of volunteers that have their daily lives and jobs and careers. We have great ideas, but we really haven’t had the capacity to follow through.”
He also said Mathis’ application quickly rose to the top of the candidate pool.
“We’re very fortunate that Liz was at this point in her life,” he said. “I don’t hide my enthusiasm for how much this means to HEDCO and the city of Hiawatha, with her experience, her connections and her broad knowledge. We’re so fortunate.”
The position will be contracted and part-time for the first year, but Mr. Pelley said he’s confident the benefits will warrant a transition to a full-time role thereafter.
“It won’t take long for the return on investment to be evident,” he said.
Ms. Mathis is a resident of Hiawatha. She served in the Iowa Senate from 2011 to 2022 and campaigned as a Democrat in 2022 for a seat in the U.S. House, a position won by incumbent Rep. Ashley Hinson.
AUDIO: Hear Ms. Mathis talk about why her background makes her a good fit for an economic development position.
Ms. Mathis also worked as chief engagement officer and project coordinator at Four Oaks, a child welfare agency, from 2008 to 2021. Previously, she worked as an anchor, reporter, producer and videographer at KWWL-TV from 1980 to 1996 and at KCRG-TV from 1998 to 2007.
Ms. Mathis said she will have office space available in Hiawatha City Hall, but will also have the flexibility to work from home as needed.
She also said that performance benchmarks have been laid out for the new position, and that if HEDCO leaders believe the position requires a full-time commitment, she may be open to that opportunity as well.
Ms. Mathis has also taught part-time at the University of Iowa’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication, and has served as a member of the Ohnward Bank board of directors; the Wartburg Board of Regents; the Marion Cares Advisory Board; PEO; The Cedar Rapids Downtown Rotary; and the University of Iowa President’s Club.
She is a former member of the State Commission on Judicial Qualifications and the UI Journalism Advisory Board, and received her B.A. from the University of Iowa.
The Hiawatha Economic Development Corporation (HEDCO) serves to advocate for current businesses and those who wish to relocate to Hiawatha, a city of 7,000 north of Cedar Rapids. HEDCO’s mission is to cultivate economic growth in Hiawatha by building partnerships with local public and private organizations.
