CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – The University of Northern Iowa has appointed Drew Conrad as the new executive director of Business & Community Services (BCS), the economic development outreach arm of the Wilson College of Business, effective July 1. Conrad succeeds Randy Pilkington, who will continue in a part-time capacity to assist with the transition.

Conrad will continue his role as director for the Institute for Decision Making, bringing over three decades of experience in local and statewide economic development planning, research and technical assistance to his new position within BCS. His appointment marks a pivotal step toward the BCS mission of Building a Better Iowa.

“I am extremely honored to be entrusted with leading BCS and helping our programs,” said Conrad. “We pride ourselves on serving all 99 counties in Iowa, and that is a testament to the leadership and vision Randy Pilkington has provided us for decades. We will continue to focus on sustaining and growing our impact by helping to meet the changing needs of Iowa’s communities and businesses.”

Prior to his time at the Institute for Decision Making, Conrad served as Marketing Manager for the Industrial Site Location Program (ISLP) at the University of Northern Iowa, where he provided technical assistance to communities and was responsible for marketing and providing information about the ISLP to business clients, community groups, economic development groups, the general public, and local, state and federal government officials. 

“I’ve worked alongside Drew for 33 years,” said Randy Pilkington. “He knows this work, this team, this mission and our state. And I am incredibly excited about where he’ll take BCS next.”

Conrad is active in various professional and community organizations and volunteer activities. He currently sits on the U.S. Department of Labor’s Workforce Information Advisory Council, the UNI Master of Public Policy Advisory Board, the Center for Regional Economic Competitiveness Board of Directors and the University of Oklahoma’s Economic Development Institute Board of Directors. For over a decade, he represented the Board of Regents on the Iowa Workforce Development Board. He is a past chair of the UNI Alumni Association Board of Directors, a past chair for the Council for Community and Economic Research, a past president of the Professional Developers of Iowa and past board chair for the Leadership Iowa Board of Governors. Conrad is a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa, where he earned a master’s degree in public policy, and is the 2024 recipient of the UNI President’s Distinguished Alumni Service Award. 

“BCS and its programs are going to continue to focus on offering innovative and timely services that meet the needs of businesses and communities across Iowa and beyond, while engaging UNI students and faculty in the delivery of those services,” said Conrad. “I have been fortunate to have the opportunity to work with large and small community organizations and businesses for more than 30 years. My work in economic development across Iowa over the years has enabled me to develop relationships with state, community and business leaders. Our teams are well connected across Iowa, and we will continue to be active in those networks.”

Since 1982, the university has provided economic development and small business support to local businesses. In 2000, BCS brought 12 programs together to assist entrepreneurs, communities, governments, and small- to medium-sized businesses in all 99 Iowa counties and across the country. Learn more about BCS at bcs.uni.edu.