ICAD Group Staff

Joe Raso

Joe Raso is President of the Iowa City Area Development Group. Since joining the organization in November 2000, he has witnessed remarkable growth in the area and led some unique partnering efforts to benefit local and regional economic development.

Joe is a member of the Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Technology Corridor Business Alliance, The Workplace Learning Connection Advisory Council and the Iowa City Community School District’s Facilities Advisory Committee and Comprehensive Strategic Planning Commission.  He is also a member of the International Economic Development Council and Professional Developers of Iowa.

A native Iowan, Joe has lived and worked in Eastern Iowa communities where he created cooperative agreements that have positively influenced and shaped those areas. Prior to joining the Iowa City Area Development Group, Joe was director of economic development for Delaware County, Iowa, and while there he was honored by Governor Tom Vilsack for his comprehensive workforce development and value-added agriculture programs. He was also director of the Cedar Falls, Iowa, Main Street Program.

He was named to the Corridor Business Journal’s “Most Influential” list in 2004, 2006, 2007, and 2008, and the weekly publication’s “Forty Under 40” inaugural list in 2005.

Joe received a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in public policy from the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, Iowa. His post graduate work focused on economic development, emphasizing state and local government.

Site Selector Inquiries - Joe Raso, President

(319) 354-3939 (ext. 202)

Mark Nolte

Before joining ICAD Group, Mark served as a senior manager and training consultant for The Abilities Fund, a nationwide community developer targeted to advance entrepreneurial opportunities for Americans with disabilities and organizations that serve them.  Previously, he was assistant director for the Institute for Social and Economic Development where he managed city, state and federal programs to aid low to moderate income Iowans.  He also assisted with Dave Loebsack’s political campaign and was a candidate for the Iowa Legislature in 2006.

An Iowa native and a University of Iowa graduate, Mark served as an Americorps VISTA supervisor and an Iowa City Housing Authority Advisory Panel volunteer. He co-owns Nolte Academy of Dance in Coralville with his wife, Leslie.

Business Development Inquiries - Mark Nolte, Business Development Director

(319) 354-1624 (direct)

DaLayne Williamson

DaLayne worked for AEGON/Life Investors as an HR generalist.  Previously, she was a staffing and recruiting specialist for Mercer Human Resource Consulting.  DaLayne holds a certification as a Professional in Human Resources. She is a graduate of the University of Iowa. She is also a graduate of Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce Community Leadership Program and served as a board member. She also serves on the local Employer’s Council of Iowa board.

Currently, DaLayne serves on the Iowa City Public Art Advisory Committee and the Horace Mann Elementary Before and After School Program Board of Directors.

Workforce Inquiries - DaLayne Williamson, Workforce Services Director

(319) 351-1137 (direct) 

Eric Hanson

As Communication Director, Eric is responsible for leading the development of ICAD’s communication strategies through its website, newsletters, annual reports, and other communication and marketing materials.  Additionally, he is working with the ICAD Board of Directors, Investor Council, and specific committees on business development projects.  Prior to coming to ICAD, Hanson worked for KZIA Inc. in Cedar Rapids as Director of Programming and as a sales representative and has also served as Creative Director and as a freelance writer for advertising agencies in Illinois and Missouri.

Eric currently serves as Past Chair of ImpactCR, Programming Chair for the Iowa City Chamber Community Leadership Program, is a member of the Professional Developers of Iowa's Communications Committee, is an adjunct professor of marketing for Mt. Mercy College's MBA Program, and is on the Marketing Advisory Council for the Cedar Rapids Metro YMCA.  He holds a BA in Communication Studies and an MBA from the University of Iowa.  Eric was recognized by the Corridor Business Journal in their 2008 "Forty Under 40" list of honorees.

Media Inquiries - Eric Hanson, Communications Director

(319) 351-9769 (direct)

Sheri Jelinek

Sheri Jelinek is the Executive Assistant for the Iowa City Area Development Group. Since October 2002, Sheri has maintained the organization’s financial records including payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable and the organization’s investments and department records including minutes and official records of the board of directors. She works closely with ICAD Group President Joe Raso to coordinate incoming and outgoing correspondence and to manage his schedule.

Sheri is also responsible for LOIS (LocationOne Information System), the organization’s site location database that allows companies and location consultants to search online for available commercial and industrial buildings and sites in the Iowa City area. The database features community and area information including demographics, transportation and quality of life information.

Sheri coordinates with local community representatives and local Realtors® to maintain their information and building and site inventories.

A Waterloo, Iowa, native, Sheri earned an Associate Degree in Applied Science in Accounting from Hawkeye Community College. She also attended the University of Northern Iowa.

She’s an active community participant and a committed volunteer in her children’s school activities.

Research and all other inquiries - Sheri Jelinek, Executive Assistant

(319) 354-3939 (ext. 201)