After serving as the first and only Executive Director for the Marion County Development Commission, Carla Eysink has retired after 29 years.

During her career, Eysink oversaw the implementation and growth of the Business Retention and Expansion Program, Top 10 Under 40 Awards, Best of Red Rock Awards, the Red Rock StartUP! Live Pitch Event Contest, among many other projects and programs. Carla said there are multiple things she will miss about serving Marion County, but added that the thing she’ll miss the most is people she’s worked with in this role.

“Well, first and foremost, all the great partners across the state of Iowa that I’ve got to meet has been a joy. And also working with our citizens here who have volunteered to get up at six or seven o’clock in the morning and think about how to grow our community, those people who have true community pride, it’s been a wonder to work with those folks.”

The Marion County Board of Supervisors is currently working through the process of hiring the next Executive Director of the Development Commission. Hear more from Eysink about her retirement on an upcoming In Touch with South Central Iowa.