RICK DICKINSON, Greater Dubuque Development Corp

Rick Dickinson is a native of Sabula, Iowa and holds a B.A. degree from William Penn University in Oskaloosa, Iowa.

Rick Dickinson became the Director of Greater Dubuque Development Corporation on June 1, 1995. Prior to this appointment, he was sales manager for the Eastern U.S. and marketing representative for North America for H.B. Fuller Company, a Fortune 500 company located in St. Paul, Minnesota.

His career in industrial sales has been balanced with 15 years of public service. In 1978, he was elected Mayor of Sabula, and then served as a City Council member before becoming a member of the Jackson County Board of Supervisors where he served for six years. From 1990 through 1994, he served in the Iowa Legislature as the Representative for the 34th House District.

Since June of 1995, Rick has led the economic development efforts of Greater Dubuque Development Corporation. As President and CEO, he is the principal liaison between business and government on all issues relating to economic development. Under Rick’s leadership, Greater Dubuque Development has grown from three full-time employees with an $180,000 budget to one of the most respected economic development groups in the country. The nine member team at Greater Dubuque, with an annual budget of $1,800,000, focuses on Business Retention and Expansion, National Marketing and Workforce Solutions. Today, the Greater Dubuque region is recognized as an international model for Sustainable Development.

Rick’s community service includes the 2002 Campaign Chair for the Tri-State United Way, founding Board member of the Iowa Child Advocacy Board and Board participation on the Dubuque Racing Association, Every Child/Every Promise, Boy Scouts of America, Dubuque Initiatives, Safe Community Task Force, Prosperity Eastern Iowa and Mid-America Economic Development Council.