Board of Directors

IEDC is governed by a 13-member Board of Directors comprised of public, private, and nonprofit sector leaders in the community. Itasca Economic Development Corporation is extremely proud of the dedication and effort that our board of directors brings to the table year after year. Their time and diligent work never goes unappreciated!

Tamara Lowney

President & CEO

Staff

Hailing from the charming surroundings of Hill City, Minnesota, Tamara Lowney has dedicated over 20 years to a remarkable career at ARAMARK, where she took on leadership roles across the United States and internationally. Her work has spanned notable locations such as Alaska, Ohio, and...

Joe Gabardi

FORGE Manager

Staff

Joe Gabardi - Educator & Workforce Development AdvocateWith over two decades of experience in education, Joe Gabardi has dedicated his career to equipping students with practical skills and career-ready training. A lifelong resident of the Iron Range, he holds a Bachelor of Science from Bemidji...

Matt Shermoen

Business Development Manager

Staff

With that, we need a resilient and dedicated team here at IEDC. We are excited to announce that we have added Matt Shermoen, formerly with Area Partnership of Economic Expansion (APEX), as our new Manager of Business Development. Matt has worked directly with IEDC for...

Nichole Arbour

Business Consulting Manager

Staff

Born and raised in Grand Rapids, improving the community has long been a passion of Nichole’s. After obtaining a degree in education from College of Saint Benedict, Nichole began as an educator in Central MN and from there to the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area to...

Kayla Swanson

Finance & Operations Manager

Staff

Kayla, a native of Taconite, has always been passionate about showcasing and uplifting the numerous assets of Itasca County. Graduating from Greenway High School in 2013, she chose to extend her stay in the county, attending Itasca Community College and earning her Associates of Arts...

Dan Gile

Business Consultant

Staff

Born and raised amidst the expansive landscapes of South Dakota, Dan's journey led him to the vibrant community of Grand Rapids in 2022, alongside his loving wife. Having earned his bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of South Dakota Beacom School of Business, Dan's...