Linda Washburn has seen change, growth during her tenure as chamber director

Linda Washburn admits she’s seen a change or two in her nearly 19 years as executive director of the Glenwood Area Chamber of Commerce.

“When I first came here (in 1999), they were just finishing up the renovation of Town Square – new sidewalks, light poles and trees,” she recalled during a recent interview. “At the Glenwood exit (Highway 34), I think the only things there were the car dealership, Hardee’s and the Johnstons had just built their real estate office.

“Fast forward and think about what’s down there now - Anytime Fitness, Dollar General, McDonald’s, the gas station, Medicap Pharmacy, Physicians Clinic and Bomgaars. Of course, we’ve lost some businesses during that time, too. There have been many changes.”

Later this week, Washburn will be making a change of her own as she steps away from the chamber office to go work for Loess Hills Funeral and Cremation Center as a pre-planning consultant / after-care specialist.

“When I started thinking about making a career change, I wanted to find something where I can help people and a place where I would be surrounded by good people,” she said.

From 1999-2016, Washburn served as the executive director of both the chamber and Mills Economic  Development Foundation. The two entities went their separate ways in 2016 when the county decided to hire a full-time economic development director. Washburn stayed on at the chamber as its director.

“It was such a good thing for that to happen because we both had that in our strategic plan for about 10 years,” Washburn said. “It was too much without more staff to try to do both organizations.”

Larry Winum, longtime president of the Mills County Economic Development Foundation, said he is appreciative of Washburn’s work on behalf of both entities. He noted that she played a significant role in helping bring new business to the community, including Bomgaars and the Love’s Travel Center. She also spent many hours doing behind-the-scenes work in the development of the Interstate 29/Highway 34 business corridor and coordinating the dedication/opening ceremonies for the Highway 34 – Missouri River bridge.

“She had a lot on her plate,” Winum said. “In effect, she was doing two jobs in one. I think most people would be hard-pressed to do as good of a job as she did with all those responsibilities.”

Washburn said several people have contributed to the business and economic development successes that have taken place over the past two decades in Mills County, including chamber and economic development board members and her administrative assistants over the years – Carolyn Tackett, Jeannie Van Massdam, Vicki Eckert and Tana Saddler – and volunteer community ambassador Suzanne Tuma.

“I’ve been so blessed to have good co-workers. I’ve always called them my co-workers,” she said. “Their title may have been administrative assistant or office assistant, but I always considered them my co-workers because they did everything I did in planning events.”

Washburn added that the chamber prides itself in being the front door to the Glenwood community.

“I think we’ve done a good job of selling our community,” she said. “Being able to communicate what our assets are here and being able to communicate what a great community and great county we have for businesses to locate here and for people to live here.”

Chamber priorities during Washburn’s tenure as executive director have included membership growth and sponsoring and coordinating community events like the annual women’s health conference, community betterment and awards dinner, Home for the Holidays and the Kegs and Eggs fundraiser. The chamber has spearheaded the Flower Baskets on the Square project and initiated the Leadership Mills County program under Washburn’s guidance.

Washburn and the chamber have been at the center of planning for three RAGBRAI visits to Glenwood – 2003, 2011 and 2016. The event is a huge undertaking for the chamber and community.

“It takes about five months out of our office, but I love RAGBRAI,” Washburn said. “What a great opportunity it is to get 20,000 people to our community and to be able to showcase our community. You have people getting to know and working together with people they may have never gotten to know otherwise. It builds community within the community.”

Washburn will be busy in her new position at the funeral home, but also plans to find more time for family. She and her husband Rob have two sons – Ben and John – and two grandsons.

Washburn will spend her final days as chamber director helping her replacement – Rachel Reis – get her feet on the ground.

“With Rachel coming aboard and Tana still here, the chamber office will be in good hands,” she said.