The Ames Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the participants who have been selected to participate in the 34th year of the Leadership Ames program:
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• Erica Andorf, Be Rare Initiative
• Lynn Barbier, Acumen Advisors Inc.
• Tara Brown, The Bridge Home
• Danielle BrownWolf, VisionBank
• Kristten Buttermore, Cultivate Wellness
• Alex Cakerice, Bankers Trust
• David Dear, Setwise Technology, LLC
• Sarah Lynn Dvorak, Danfoss
• Collin Fett, Fett Realty
• Kris Foddrill, Hunziker & Associates
• Vicki Hales, Ames Community School District
• Tom Mortice, South Story Bank & Trust
• Tim Neubauer, Northwest Bank
• Nicole Pape, Mary Greeley Medical Center
• Sheila Schofer, Ames Public Library
• Chelsea Steele, Premier Credit Union
• Kate Tindall, Iowa State University Alumni Association
• Michael Wilson, Renewable Energy Group, Inc.

Leadership Ames is a program of the Ames Chamber of Commerce that offers the opportunity for participants to gain experience in civic leadership responsibilities and cultivate relationships with other local leaders and community members.

Co-Chairs for Leadership Ames Class XXXIV are Curtis Spence, City of Ames (Class XXXII), and Kate Reynolds, ChildServe (XXXIII).  Participants in this year’s class will participate in twelve day-long sessions designed to develop informed, involved and concerned leaders.

“I am thrilled to announce Leadership Ames class XXXIV on behalf of the Ames Chamber of Commerce,” says Dan Culhane, President & CEO of Ames Chamber of Commerce. “This year’s class proved to be leaders amid the difficulties of the COVID-19 pandemic, and I am excited for them to engage in this program and take their skills to the next level.”

Classmates will hear presentations on important topics, debate issues, participate in class activities, visit with area leaders, tour facilities and get to know other individuals representing a broad cross-section of the community.
For more information on the Leadership Ames program, visit AmesChamber.com

While the Ames area continues to work to limit the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic there is some good news on the employment front.  In October the unemployment rate dropped below 2.0% for the first time since February. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the Ames Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) had an unemployment rate of 1.9%; the lowest of any MSA across the Country. 

Brenda Dryer who leads the workforce solutions efforts for the Ames Chamber of Commerce reports, “While we have been encouraged by the number of people returning to work across Story County, we know there is work to be done.  Employees in our retail, service, hospitality, and entertainment sectors continue to be adversely impacted by this pandemic.  We are seeing strong job growth in our manufacturing, health care, and construction sectors.  We are committed and will continue to work with partners in education and business to provide retraining opportunities for people wanting to learn a new career.”
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The Ames Chamber of Commerce manages the WorkInAmes.com Story County job board, a one stop website for people searching for employment in the Ames/Story County area.  Dryer goes on to explain, “We have seen as many as 1800 job postings a day this Fall on WorkInAmes.com.  This is a free job board for both employers and job seekers.”