Mid-America Port Commission seats two new commissioners from Iowa

At its Sept. 9 meeting, the Mid-America Port Commission (MAPC) seated two new commissioners from Iowa. Elected were Emily Benjamin and Rachel Lindeen. They replace Denise Boyer and Shelley Oltmans who left the board earlier this year.

Benjamin is vice- president at Lee County Economic Development Group. Her duties are to ensure that proper programming, operational controls, reporting procedures and people systems are in place togrow Lee County EDG effectively and ensure financial strength and operating efficiency.

Benjamin brings prior experience including agricultural sales and marketing, non-profit leadership and community development. A Lee County native, she sees the residents as the area’s greatest asset and is passionate about engaging in partnerships that highlight as well as improve upon all assets which Lee County has to offer.

Lindeen is the executive vice-president of the Mount Pleasant Area Chamber Alliance since February 2023. She has over 10 years of experience in the Chamber of Commerce and economic development world. A native of Mount Pleasant, Lindeen has been living in working in southeast Iowa for most of her professional career. She is responsible for providing highly visible leadership and building a strong reputation for the organization in all issues related to economic development, business development and community vitality for all of Henry County, Iowa. She oversees the daily activities for the Mount Pleasant Chamber of Commerce, Area Development Commission and Henry County Tourism.

The Mid-America Port Commission (MAPC) was born out of the 1997 Tri-State Summit meeting in Keokuk, Iowa. Recovering from the Great Flood of 1993 was at the top of the minds of leaders from western Illinois, southeast Iowa, and northeast Missouri when they committed to create a three state multi-capable public organization centered on river, port and economic development.

In 1999, the legislatures of Illinois, Iowa and Missouri adopted like-kind enabling legislation to create the Mid-America Port Commission. The compact was the first three state agreement of its kind in the United States.

The MAPC Board is made up of nine members representing the 26 counties in the three states forming the MAPC service area (Illinois, Iowa and Missouri). Each state governor appoints a commissioner with the other two appointed by county boards/commissioners.

MAPC commissioners include:

• Blake E. Roderick, chairman (IL)
• Douglas Aeilts, vice chairman (MO)
• Mike Norris, secretary/treasurer (IA)
• H.O. Brownback and Mike McLaughlin (IL)
• Emily Benjamin and Rachel Lindeen (IA)
• Norris Hinton and Kelly Waymon (MO)

Commissioners Brownback, Norris and Waymon are governor appointees. The other six commissioners were appointed by county boards or commissions in their respective states.