Alex Holland, formerly Director of Federal Affairs and Strategic Programs at the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) joins McClure Engineering Company, a Clive-based Civil Engineering and Planning firm, as Lead Community Planner – Southern Region.
“Having lived in rural America over the course of the past decade, I understand the unique needs of those residing in rural communities,” said Holland. “The economic challenges faced by rural residents also present opportunities for strategic revitalization efforts, and I look forward to joining the team at MEC to help communities throughout the southern region achieve greater economic prosperity.”
Holland will begin her new position at McClure Engineering Company on March 5th working directly with Principal of Community Planning, Zachary Mannheimer, who joined the firm in March 2017, and Vice Principal of Community Planning, Bethany Wilcoxon, who joined the firm in August 2017.
“Coming from the DRA, Alex is an expert in the Mississippi River Delta region and will lead our placemaking efforts there. We have seen a great deal of interest in the Delta and we are excited to add the best person for the job to our growing team,” said Mannheimer.
Holland brings successful economic development experience as she oversaw and developed federal programs and interagency initiatives designed to enhance economic opportunity in underserved areas of the eight-state Delta region. Her focus included public-private partnerships, workforce development, place-based development, and capacity-building for state and local elected officials.
She also led the Delta Creative Placemaking Initiative, which included technical assistance workshops held throughout the Delta region – featuring subject matter experts from the Rural Policy Research Institute and the National Endowment for the Arts – and a competitive grant program for local and county governments.
