Doug Neumann has announced plans to step down as executive director of the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance, stressing that he doesn’t consider the announcement to be the end of his professional career.
“I’m not using the word retirement here at all,” said Mr. Neumann, 55, who has worked at the CRMEA in various capacities for 19 years, the last nine as executive director. “I’m open-minded and open-hearted to what the next opportunity might look like.”
According to a release, Mr. Neumann has given notice to the CRMEA board of his intent to step down from his leadership position later this year, after his replacement is chosen.
Mr. Neumann said he felt the time was right to step away from the CRMEA.
“Certainly it’s something that you think about from time to time,” Mr. Neumann said. “What made it such a perfect moment is this position of strength we’re in right now – a big winning streak for the community on a number of different fronts, and a lot of things that are in place and working well at the Economic Alliance. We all ponder our next steps in our career, but it really made sense for me to do right now because of all the things that have happened to align.”
The CRMEA board has approved contracts with a local and a national firm to partner on a nationwide search for a new director.
CRMEA board chair Anne Parmley said the board expects a search could take about six months, and that Mr. Neumann plans to continue in his leadership role during the search and until the leadership transition is complete.
Mr. Neumann said he doesn’t consider his time with the CRMEA in “legacy” terms, but noted that the development of downtown Cedar Rapids has been a point of emphasis for him.
“Downtown development is where I started in economic development,” Mr. Neumann said. “I spent a lot of years working on downtown Cedar Rapids issues, and I’m really pleased with the leadership that’s in place there now and the plan that’s in place.”
He also highlighted the efforts of the Collaborative Growth Initiative, launched in August 2023, which has brought the mayors of Cedar Rapids, Marion and Hiawatha together to work on attracting more workers and professionals to live and work in the area.
“With (talent attraction director) Jodi Schafer now in place, and with a plan in place and some progress starting to be made, I feel better about that now than if this had happened a year ago, when things were much more uncertain,” Mr. Neumann said.
From a larger perspective, Mr. Neumann said he’s proud of the city’s efforts to rebound and recover from the catastrophic flood of 2008.
“With all of the business recovery, community recovery, community, reimagining that we did back then, I was proud to be able to play a role in all of that,” he said. “and certainly that stands today as a really significant career milestone.”
Mr. Neumann also helped with the formation of the CRMEA, which was created in 2012 by merging the economic and community development efforts of the former Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, Cedar Rapids Downtown District and Priority One, the city’s then-economic development arm.
Ms. Parmley said the city’s winning streak in recent years, with community projects and economic development, makes the timing good for executing on a succession plan for Mr. Neumann, one of just two Economic Alliance team members to have been with the organization since its inception.
“We’re blessed that Doug and his entire team have really positioned us to be doing this leadership transition from a position of strength and with an intentional and deliberate succession plan that ensures we have great leadership for our next chapter,” Ms. Parmley said. “We’ll rely on the continued support of the business community, and they should expect that we don’t miss a beat delivering on our promises of economic and workforce growth and initiatives to help businesses succeed.”
At the CRMEA’s annual meeting Jan. 28, Ms. Parmley, Mr. Neumann and others highlighted the organization’s 2025 plans, including the 20th season of the Downtown Farmers Market.
“All our work continues full speed ahead,” Ms. Parmley said.
She added that the board is equally open to a local leader who could fill the role or recruiting someone from elsewhere.
“It’s a big job, but it’s a rewarding job,” Ms. Parmley said. “The Economic Alliance is at the heart of so many community initiatives. I think we’ll have strong interest from people who want to lead in a community like we have here.”
A native of Wisconsin and a graduate of Northwestern University, Mr. Neumann first came to Cedar Rapids in July 1992 to work as a local government reporter for The Gazette. In March 1999, he became executive assistant to then-mayor Lee Clancey and the Cedar Rapids City Council. He left that role in January 2002 for a year-long stint as communications director for the then-Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce before returning to The Gazette for a four-year term as opinion page editor for The Gazette.
He started his Cedar Rapids economic development roles in 2007 as president of the Downtown District, became executive vice president of the CRMEA in January 2012 and was named executive director in May 2016.
Having lived in Cedar Rapids for 32 years, Mr. Neumann said he plans to stay in the area. His wife Jen is the owner of de Novo, a local marketing agency, and the couple has two college-aged daughters, Grace and Anna.
“The life that we’ve built here is exactly what we’re going to continue to enjoy,” Mr. Neumann said. “When this transition is done, maybe by mid-to-late summer, my heart is open to whatever may come next, and whatever comes next is undoubtedly going to be right here in this area.”
At a local level, Patti Seda, of Seda Consulting, will engage with Waverly Partners, a national executive search firm with specific experience serving chambers and economic development organizations, and the search committee to identify key leadership characteristics and ensure a smooth transition.
In the release, Mr. Neumann characterized the move as a chance to look for a role in which he can “have greater impact on fewer things and recapture a bit more time with my family and friends.”
“Working for the Economic Alliance and the people and businesses who make up this incredible organization has been profoundly fulfilling,” he said. “Right now, I’m 100% focused on big initiatives we have on our plate. But there will be some time coming up soon to reflect on what we’ve been able to achieve – and the incredible memories with the incredible friends I’ve been blessed to work alongside all these years.”
