Published: May 16, 2008 03:08 pm            

Hilgendorf-Cooley is named new CVB director

CLINTON — Lori Susie, chairwoman of the Clinton Convention and Visitors Bureau has announced that Heather Hilgendorf-Cooley has been named the director of the Convention and Visitors Bureau. She will assume her new duties June 2. Susie commented, “We are thrilled to bring Heather on board and are excited about her commitment to the Clinton Community. Her positive energy, experience with grant writing and marketing expertise will be a great benefit to the CVB.”

Prior to joining the CVB, Hilgendorf-Cooley served as the assistant dean of students and director of alumni and career services at Ashford University for the past nine years.

“I am excited for the opportunity to play such an integral part in bringing people to our wonderful community,” Hilgen-dorf-Cooley said. “I have so much passion for this city and its people.”

Hilgendorf-Cooley received the Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce’s 2006-2007 Community Leader of the Year Award last June. She has served on several Chamber of Commerce committees and was a graduate of the Chamber’s Leadership Institute in 2001-2002.

“I am excited that Heather will be joining the staff of the Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce, “ commented Julie Allesee, President of the Chamber. “Heather is a native of Clinton and has been involved in many organizations and is a valued volunteer. Heather will bring a new dimension to the Clinton Convention and Visitors Bureau and will expand on the tourism opportunities already available in Clinton. There are several very exciting projects that will come on line during the balance of the 2008 year, including the opening of the new Wild Rose Casino and the completion of the Vision Iowas and Great Places project.”

Last year, she completed seven years as board member of the Gateway Area Chapter of the American Red Cross. During those years, she was very active on the board, serving as president in 2004-2005 and 2005-2006. She served on several committees, including public support, which does the majority of the fundraising for the Chapter. She was instrumental in leading the Boot Campaign for Hurricane Katrina, in which more than $50,000 was raised. In 2005, she received the Volunteer of the Year Award and in 2006 she received the Clara Barton Award for Meritorious Volunteer Leadership, the highest award given by the Red Cross.

Hilgendorf-Cooley joined the YWCA board in 2004 and served as co-president in 2005-2006 and 2006-2007.

As a board member, she attended regional meetings as well as the national conference in Washington, D.C. In addition, she has been a member of the YW Task Force for the past couple of years and serves as Ex-Officio on the Executive Committee. She was named the 2008 Woman of Achievement Unsung Hero YWCA Honoree last month.

Hilgendorf-Cooley is the chairwoman of the 2008-09 United Way of Clinton County campaign, continuing on from last year, where she served as the campaign co-chairwoman. In addition, she is very active in the Clinton Chapter of Make-A-Wish, an organization she had wanted to join for some time.

Other activities Hilgendorf-Cooley is involved with include: Clinton Junior Baseball Board member and Pee Wee’s coach, a member of Jesus Christ Prince of Peace Parish, in which she served as advancement campaign leader for the last two campaigns, Whittier PTA member, Junior Achievement teacher and a member of the Clinton Community Schools finance task force. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family as well as playing softball and volleyball.

Hilgendorf-Cooley received her master’s of business administration degree from St. Ambrose University in 2004, graduating cum laude. During her studies there, she received the 2002 Lloyd G. Schermer Scholarship in recognition of scholastic achievement, commitment and service to the community. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Mount. St. Clare College, where she participated in volleyball and softball. Throughout her collegiate career, she was named to several all-conference teams and was active in the student body.

She and her husband, Mark, have two children, J.T., 7, and Makenzie, 5.

        

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