MARION — The Marion Economic Development Co. has elected its first woman chairwoman in the history of the organization.
Anne Loomis, an attorney with Allen, Vernon & Hoskins PLC of Marion, will begin her two-year term on Jan. 1. Loomis will be the first woman elected to chair MEDCO, Priority One in Cedar Rapids or the Iowa City Area Development Group in Iowa City.
Loomis will succeed Dave Martin, owner of Martin Design, an architectural firm with offices in Marion and Strawberry Point. Martin will remain on the MEDCO board of directors and continue to serve as chairman of the MEDCO Holding Co.
Loomis, who has served on the MEDCO board since 1999, also was the first woman to be elected president of the Marion East Cedar Rapids Rotary Club. She has been actively involved in community activities and in building a solid economic base in Marion.
“Over the course of the past few years, MEDCO and the City of Marion have taken steps to position Marion for sustained economic growth,” Loomis said. ”The state and national economy have been in recession for two years and we have used this time to create over 300 acres of shovel-ready ground in Marion. The economy is on the upswing and beginning to take off.”
Loomis, a Wisconsin native and graduate of the University of Iowa College of Law, has set certain goals for her term as MEDCO chairwoman.
“First and foremost we must facilitate expansion of Marion’s existing businesses. They are already vested in Marion, they are our friends and neighbors and are a sound investment for the future,” she said. ”MEDCO will market Marion to the world. We have a wealth of shovel-ready ground and Marion has a highly desirable work force that can attract new business.”
Loomis said she also plans to make greater use of the MEDCO board of directors.
“This is a very talented group of individuals who can work with the public and private sectors to help expand our local economy,” Loomis said.
George Lake, president of MEDCO, said Loomis brings organizational and leadership skills to the table that will be important as the economic development group works to assist existing business expand as well as attract new employers to the community.
Other newly-elected MEDCO officers include Treasurer Jennifer Decker, an accountant with Hogan Hanson PC, and Incoming Chairman Tom Barnes, owner of Barnes Manufacturing in Marion.
