Board chair Bob Howard is pleased to share that the Greater Muscatine Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GMCCI) has named Erik Reader as new president and CEO. In this role, he will be responsible for providing vision, direction and leadership to GMCCI.
Reader has spent the past eight years in the nonprofit sector working to restore neighborhood vitality, assisting small businesses, and creating vibrant downtowns. In some of his most recent roles in Rock Island and the greater Peoria region, he has provided reinvestment strategy solutions to municipalities, downtown organizations and economic development entities. He takes a collaborative approach in working with groups on executing redevelopment plans, marketing, and leveraging local assets to create stronger communities.
“The Muscatine community has already been very welcoming, and I couldn’t be more excited for the opportunity to lead such a strong organization with a great team and vested stakeholders,” Reader said. “There’s such a tremendous amount of natural assets paired with a robust, diverse economy, and engaged community that I can’t wait to get started.”
His appointment coincides with the retirement of Greg Jenkins, who has led the organization since 2013.
“We want to thank Greg for all of his contributions to GMCCI and the Muscatine community, and wish him the very best in retirement,” the chamber said.
Reader will be relocating to Muscatine with his wife, Danielle, and dog, Max. He begins his new role at GMCCI on Dec. 16.
