The Decatur County Development Corporation (DCDC) recently hired Emily Munter as their new Executive Director. Munter, a resident of Lamoni, is new to DCDC but is no stranger to Decatur County. As she says, if she needs to visit family, all she needs to do is take a quick trip to Rose Hill.
A graduate of Graceland University with a degree in Elementary Education, Munter has actually spent most of her professional life working with small business sales and marketing. Her past endeavors include owning her own event planning company, heading up market entry for a small farm where she also directed their AgriTourism activities and staff, and working with a small family owned music company as their educational representative in addition to her years in the classroom teaching 5th grade and music. Munter grew up in Southern Illinois, the daughter of two Graceland alumni who she credits for teaching her the way to not only handle the business world, but also how to navigate life and any challenges it may bring.
When asked how she sees her role as the DCDC Executive Director, Munter stated she desires to see Decatur County not just grow, but diversify and find ways to increase visibility in new avenues. “I want to plug holes and build bridges”, Munter said, “but I’m also aware I have much to learn about not only economic development, but about Decatur County and its residents.” As she has phased into her role, Munter has been grateful for the support of former Executive Director Shannon Erb and members of the DCDC Executive Board. “If there is a more gracious place to learn the ways of economic development, I’m not sure where it would be. Every person I have interacted with since day one has been helpful and supportive. When you’re given that when taking on a new role, exciting and unexpected things can happen!” Munter says she sees her role, and the role of DCDC, summed up well in a famous Walt Disney quote, “Around here, we don’t look backwards for very long… We keep moving forward, opening up new things because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.”
Munter looks forward to building her own connections and networks in Decatur County and throughout the state of Iowa in the immediate future. As this occurs, she is confident what she has learned previously and currently will have a positive impact in the DCDC area. She has also said there are no plans to relocate any time soon – her son is a freshman at Graceland University this fall and there are some perks being close enough to see his soccer games, provide some home cooked meals and do some laundry!
Emily works in the DCDC Office located in the Decatur County Courthouse in Leon. To reach her, call 641-446-4991 or email here at emunter@dcdciowa.org.