Midwest Partnership welcomes Dudley as its new director

Brenda Dudley of Stuart broadened her region of influence when she was named executive director of Midwest Partnership Economic Development (MWP) recently.

The former Stuart Chamber director of five years will now oversee an organization that makes its focus tending to the economic development needs of the 14 communities within Adair and Guthrie counties.

Dudley began her new position April 3. She and her family reside just outside of Stuart.

“I had worked with [Midwest Partnership] on several projects, so I kind of had a feel for what they did,” Dudley said. “Economic development itself, I enjoy that. I decided to go a step farther and apply for this job.”

Understandably the most familiar with Stuart, Dudley is welcoming the opportunity to become as familiar as possible with many more communities. As an example, the other day she took a drive around northern Guthrie County to learn about places there. She and Karen Varley, who is MWP’s coordinator, have been working well together.

“I’ve been going to the Chamber meetings, Development meetings and other community meetings so that I can get to know people, they can get to know me, and I can hand out my business card,” Dudley said. “Economic development covers a broad range of things. One of those things would be getting businesses to the community, helping businesses grow and keeping businesses. Tourism is also little bit of economic development.”

Midwest Partnership is planning a couple of key events coming up. One is a meeting Wednesday, May 3 at Stuart City Hall with officials from Travel Iowa. It is aimed at getting area communities thinking on the same page, in terms of economic development and tourism. June 23 is the organization’s yearly golf outing at Lake Panorama National Resort and Conference Center.

MWP’s board officers include Marty Doud, president; Matt Wedemeyer, vice president; Ryan Morrison, treasurer; and Stacie Eshelman, secretary. Other members are Ryan Billheimer, Josh Calmer, Brad Hayes, Cheryl Marks, Kathy Rohrig, Steve Smith, Scott Tonderum, Mike Underwood, Holi Weston and Julie Jajicek.

Dudley succeeds Peter Johnson, who recently moved on from his role as director of MWP.