Ames Chamber Welcomes New Director of Community & Economic Development Outreach

(December 8, 2021) - The Ames Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Commission is pleased to welcome Greg Piklapp to the team as the Director of Community & Economic Development Outreach.

“We are thrilled to have Greg joining our team," said Dan Culhane, President & CEO of the Ames Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Commission. “His knowledge and appreciation for both economic and community development will be highly useful as he tackles the important work of engaging with the various communities in Story County. His considerable tenure as a local elected official also lends itself to understanding the wide array of needs within a community and that every community is different. I am confident he will thrive in this important role.”

As the Director of Community & Economic Development Outreach, Piklapp will serve as the liaison between the Ames Economic Development Commission and the rural communities outside of Ames. In this role he will focus on the development of “small” or new business start-ups in the retail, commercial, and industrial sectors.

"I am thrilled to be joining the Ames Chamber and Economic Development team," said Piklapp. "I was born and raised in rural Iowa and am eager to help local leaders tap this unprecedented time of investment opportunities for their communities. Doesn't matter if it is building new or renovating the historic, all are pieces of the puzzle to building their hometowns stronger and better."

Piklapp previously worked at Simplified Benefit Solutions as the Vice President of Sales before accepting his new role with the Ames Chamber of Commerce. He also serves as an elected city councilmember for the City of Boone, a position he has held for 12 years. As a Boone City Councilmember, Piklapp has served as Chair on the City Economic Development Committee the past 6 years, while also serving on the Policy & Administration Committee.
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Piklapp began his position on December 6 and be contacted at greg@ameschamber.com.