Recap of Pow I-80's Annual Meeting
 
March 26, 2014
 
Poweshiek Iowa Development held its 10th Annual Meeting Dinner on Tuesday, March 25th at the Iowa Transportation Museum in Grinnell. Around 90 guests welcomed Brian Johnson, Vice President of Finance and Corporate Secretary for Casey’s General Stores and Frank Brownell (Chairman) and Pete Brownell (CEO) with Brownells Inc.

Larry Boesenberg, Chair of Poweshiek Iowa Development welcomed guests and introduced the current board of directors. Laura Manatt, Executive Director, presented the current initiatives and the annual report. Laura and Larry Recognized retiring Board Members, Mayor Gordon Canfield, Grinnell; Louise VanErsvelde, Rural Poweshiek County; and Tom Latimer; Grinnell. Laura also provided a special acknowledgement from William Menner at the USDA in recognition of these board members and Poweshiek Iowa Development’s 10th anniversary.

Larry then held board elections, during which five newly elected members were voted on to the board of directors and three board members terms were renewed. The new board members include: Kay Cmelik, Grinnell; Julie Beach, Grinnell; Lori O’Donnell Hinshaw, Grinnell; Aaron McCaselen, Montezuma, Searsboro, Deep River; and Becky Petig, Rural Poweshiek County. Trevor White, MaryAnne Nickle, and Brian Manatt were all voted on for another 3-year term.

Frank Brownell, Chairman of Brownells, explained the history of the Brownells company and how it has evolved throughout the years. He also mentioned that this summer the company will be celebrating its 75th anniversary. Pete Brownell spoke on the company’s future and the impact Brownells has on many of the communities in Poweshiek County. He also talked about the integration of the web in to their overall marketing strategy.

Brian Johnson, Vice President of Finance and Corporate Secretary for Casey’s General Stores, spoke about their strategies in rural markets and the importance of the rural communities in their overall corporate strategy. They currently operate in 15 states throughout the mid-west and the majority of their stores are in communities of 5,000 or less people. He also gave both the Brooklyn and Montezuma communities a sneak peak of what their store will look like when it is completed and the amenities it will provide. He spoke on the importance of the Grinnell store when they were determining the new corporate look for their stores. The store on the east side of town on Highway 6 was used as a pilot store for their store redesign a couple years ago.

All three speakers left time for questions at the end.