ORIENT – Debra Houghtaling of Greenfield was named president and CEO of The Wallace Centers of Iowa May 14 during the board of directors meeting. She replaces Diane Weiland, who is retiring after 16 years as executive director of the Henry A. Wallace Country Life Center and nine years as president and CEO of The Wallace Centers of Iowa.
“Diane’s vision, leadership and remarkable dedication to the mission and operation of The Wallace Centers of Iowa leave a remarkable legacy,” Board President Jan Knock said. “She will be missed. Because of her efforts we find an organization on firm footing, poised for the future.”
“We welcome Debra’s experience in organizational development and leadership,” Knock said. “Her roots in southwest Iowa, rural and urban experience, creativity and commitment to the legacy of the Wallace family will bring both stability and anticipated growth to The Wallace Centers of Iowa.”
Houghtaling is a graduate of Orient-Macksburg High School and has a BA, summa cum laude from Buena Vista University. She earned a Master’s in public policy from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University with a concentration in housing/community development and focus in finance. Since then she has worked in community development in both rural and urban settings, including 11 years as executive director of Grow Iowa Foundation in southwest Iowa and three years as a Detroit Revitalization fellow in Detroit, Michigan.
Active in the Greenfield community, Houghtaling served seven years on the city council, and five years as president of the Chamber of Commerce/Main Street. She manages Ed & Eva’s gift shop in the Warren Cultural Center on a volunteer basis, and also owns 180 Workshop, a design studio that creates jewelry, wall art and home goods from historic and salvaged metal and wood.
“The Wallace Centers of Iowa reflect what is great about Iowa and our agricultural heritage – a proud history, locally grown food, innovative programs and a dedication to communities and neighbors,” Houghtaling said. “As an Iowa native, I am honored and excited to join the organization’s talented staff and board.”
She began her new position May 29 and will oversee a core staff of 11, plus seasonal staff, volunteers and interns.
Weiland was instrumental in founding the Henry A. Wallace Country Life Center near Orient in 1991, including acquisition of 40 acres of the birthplace farm of Henry A. Wallace, who was U.S. Vice President, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, U.S. Secretary of Commerce and founder of Pioneer Hi-Bred. During her tenure, she supervised several major projects including the construction of a replica of the original historic barn, restoration of nine acres of Iowa prairie, expansion to 12 acres of fruit and vegetable production and the establishment of the Gathering Table restaurant. In 2009, she guided the merger of the Country Life Center with the Wallace House Foundation in Des Moines. As The Wallace Centers of Iowa, the organization’s two historic locations produce sustainably-grown fruits and vegetables, offer locally-sourced meals and provide educational programs and community services, including a shared-use community kitchen.
More information about the nonprofit can be found at www.wallace.org.