Area Chamber announces new board members

— Volunteer leaders bring knowledge, expertise to policy-setting board —

IOWA CITY (March 11, 2008) – Four local business leaders have joined the Board of Directors of the Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce. Jonathan Carlson of the University of Iowa, Patricia Heiden of Oaknoll Retirement Residence, Mike Hodge of Hodge Construction and Monica Nadeau of Coral Ridge Mall will lend their expertise to the policy-making body.

Jonathan Carlson, a faculty member in the UI’s College of Law for 25 years, is a senior associate to President Sally Mason. At the University, he has held many leadership positions, including president of the Faculty Senate and associate dean for academic affairs at the College of Law. He has served on the Johnson County United Way Board of Directors and on the North Liberty Planning and Zoning Commission. Carlson was a practicing attorney in Washington, D.C., prior to moving to Iowa City in 1983. He is a graduate of McGill University and the University of Chicago. His wife, Susan, is a real estate agent with Barkalow & Associates Realtors. They have two grown children. Carlson is an ex-officio representative of the University and his term does not expire.

Patricia Heiden has worked been at Oaknoll Retirement Residence for 28 years and has served as executive director since July 1995. She is a licensed nursing home administrator and holds a master’s degree in health services administration. During her tenure, Oaknoll has undergone major renovations and additions, including the most recent George Street addition in 2006. She is a graduate of and a session co-leader for the Community Leadership Program of the Iowa City Area Chamber. Heiden actively supports her two daughters: Ariel attends Iowa City City High and Lindsey will soon graduate from the University of Kansas before heading to graduate school. Heiden will serve until December 31, 2009.

Hodge is president of Hodge Construction Company. He graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in civil engineering and started the construction company in 1981. Hodge Construction specializes in multi-family and commercial units. He and wife Julie have four children. Hodge will serve until December 31, 2010.

In March 1998, Nadeau relocated from Cedar Falls to the Iowa City area to become the assistant marketing director at Coral Ridge Mall. She went on to hold the positions of marketing director and assistant general manager at Coral Ridge prior to leaving in 2002 briefly for a different position but returned to Coral Ridge Mall in 2003 as general manager. She earned a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Northern Iowa and holds the designation of Certified Shopping Center Manager (CSM) from the International Council of Shopping Centers. Nadeau will serve through December 31, 2010.

The Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce, on behalf of more than 1,000 members, actively fosters a better business environment through community and economic development, member services and public policy advocacy.

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