Contact Us

For more information about Western Iowa Advantage, please contact:

  • Rick Hunsaker
    Executive Director
    Region XII Council of Governments
    712-792-9914

    Rick Hunsaker is a graduate of Drake University, receiving a B.A. in 1988 and a Masters of Public Administration in 1990. He has served since 1995 as Executive Director of Region XII Council of Governments in Carroll, a regional agency serving 6 counties and 59 cities in west central Iowa, as well as its two affiliate non-profit corporations. Hunsaker serves on the Board of Directors for the Iowa Association of Regional Councils (past chair), the Association of Iowa Workforce Partners, Carroll Area Development Cooperation, and Western Iowa Advantage, an eight county cooperative marketing group. He serves on the Alcoholic Beverages Commission for the State of Iowa, having been appointed by Governor Tom Vilsack in 2006. Mr. Hunsaker is a member of several historic preservation advocacy groups.

Additional WIAD Council Members include:

  • Thomas Nielsen
    Executive Director
    Audubon County Economic Development Corporation
    712-563-2742

    Thomas R. Nielsen became Executive Director of the Audubon County Economic Development Corporation in 2005. He gained first hand experience in the manufacturing business by working various positions and serving on the Board of Directors of Emmert Manufacturing Co. Inc. He also has experience doing business start ups. He was co-founder and owner of an energy efficient lighting company with locations in Santa Ana, CA and Audubon, IA. He was co-owner of a Real Estate and Insurance agency for 31 years. He has been a licensed Iowa Real Estate Broker since 1974.
    He is past president of the Audubon Lions Club, Audubon Jaycees, Audubon Chamber of Commerce, West Central Iowa Board of Realtors, Landlords Inc., and Our Saviour's Lutheran Church. He is past president and a charter member of the Circle A square dance club, and has performed in several plays with the Country Players community theatre group.
    He completed The Heartland Economic Development Course in 2006, and maintains his Real Estate Brokers license. Nielsen is currently active in the Audubon Lions Club, Operation T-Bone Committee, serves on Our Saviour's Lutheran Church Council, and works to retain and recruit local jobs for Audubon County.
    Tom and his wife Joan have two grown children, both married and living in Iowa - Jeff is owner/operator of Nielsen Automotive in Audubon and Carla is a CPA at the Spencer Hospital in Spencer, IA. They enjoy their five grandchildren.

  • Jim Gossett, CEcD
    Executive Director
    Carroll Area Development Corporation
    712-792-4383

    Jim Gossett was named Executive Director of the Carroll Chamber of Commerce and Carroll Area Development Corporation in March 2001. He has twelve years experience in community and economic development. Gossett earned Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) status in 2002. He is Past President of Professional Developers of Iowa. Gossett is a member of International Economic Development Council and serves on the Board of Directors for Mid America Economic Development Council.

  • Don Luensmann
    Executive Director
    Chamber and Development Council of Crawford County
    712-263-5621

    Don Luensmann is the Executive Director of the Chamber and Development Council of Crawford County. The CDC is an organization of over 200 investor/member businesses in Denison and Crawford County. Don is responsible for the industrial, commercial and retail development efforts for the county as well as the public relations, marketing and promotional aspects of the Chamber and Development Council.

    Don is a graduate of Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge with a degree in Broadcasting. He began his career in radio in Fort Dodge before going to Tulsa, Oklahoma as the National Director of Public Relations for The United States Jaycees. Over the past 25 years, Don has worked in several related fields including public relations, marketing, sales, government administration, and fundraising in Nebraska and Iowa. Using his previous business experience, Don is working on economic development projects to benefit Crawford County through job creation, financial investment, and an increased tax base. He and his wife, Laurie, have four children.

  • Rita Frahm
    President
    Ida County Economic Development Corporation
    712-368-4316, x 1205



  • Jason White
    Executive Director
    Midwest Partnership (Adair, Greene and Guthrie Counties)
    515-523-1262

    Mr. White accepted the position of Executive Director of Midwest Partnership Corporation in May 2006. Previously, Jason was Executive Director of the Appanoose Economic Development Corporation in south central Iowa. Jason has also held positions in the Iowa House of Representative, Iowa Senate, and as a redevelopment specialist for the City of Coralville, Iowa. White received his B.A. from Loras College and M.A. from the University of Iowa with concentrations in Economic Development and Transportation. Jason has completed the Heartland Economic Development Course, graduated from the Economic Development Institute, and is completing advanced course work to become a certified economic developer.

  • Shirley Phillips
    Executive Director
    Sac Economic & Tourism Development
    712-662-7383

    Shirley has been the director of Sac Economic & Tourism Development since 1988, working with nine incorporated communities and the county on issues such as industrial, commercial, tourism and community development.
    Community Service (Past & Present): Shirley's community service includes: Community Involvement Committee; Chautauqua Days Committee since 1971; Board member of Chamber Main Street Sac City; Sac County Historical Society - board & officer; Sac County Crime Stoppers - board & officer; Sac County's Iowa Sesquicentennial committee; Sac City Museum volunteer & marketing; Sac City Kids World (an Early Childhood Development Center) fundraising committee; United Methodist Church - finance committee for 6 years and chairman of the capitol campaign for sanctuary renovation; North Central Iowa Correctional Services Advisory Board; Sac Development Corporation; Sac Elementary School Bond Issue Committee, Sac Community Schools Citizens Advisory Committee, Loring Hospital Auxiliary, RAGBRAI committees, President of Sac City Planning & Zoning Commission, President of Sac Athletic Boosters.
    Regionally she is serving as President of the U.S. 20 Corridor Association; Board member and past president of Western Iowa Tourism Region; Board member and past president of Travel Federation of Iowa; Board member of the Western Iowa Advantage Development Group; member of the Department of Transportation T.O.D.S. Committee; member of the Loess Hills National Scenic Byway Council; served for many years as an Iowa Community Betterment judge for Iowa Department of Economic Development.
    Leadership Positions: Shirley has served as officers in many organizations, from finance officer or treasurer to president. You'll see a list of her current activities listed above. She has been a speaker at many conferences over the years.
    Awards & Honors: She was recognized as "Citizen of the Year" in Sac City in 1988; Iowa's "Tourism Leader of the Year" in 2003; Sac Booster of the Year.
    Areas of Expertise & Interest: Shirley is knowledgeable in fundraising, organization, volunteer recruitment, grant writing and marketing. She is also a natural public speaker, having been trained in auctioneering as well.
    Statement of Interest: Shirley is interested in anything that betters the quality of life for her community, her county, her region and the state.
    Previous Philanthropic Experience: Kids World Fundraising committee, United Methodist Church capitol campaign, Fundraising for the annual Chautauqua Days Celebration - individual & corporate sponsors; Fundraising for the restoration of the historic Chautauqua Building; Fundraising for the Western Iowa Tourism Region - membership recruitment and corporate sponsors.
SEARCH LOIS FOR AVAILABLE SITES & BUILDINGS www.iowalifechanging.com