On Monday, the Carroll Chamber of Commerce and Carroll Area Development Corporation (CADC) introduced their new Executive Director, a well-known local professional. Kimberly Tiefenthaler has served for five years as the North Central Iowa Regional Director for America’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC), working closely with small businesses in a 13-county region, and is co-owner of Performance Tire and Service in Carroll. She says she developed a passion for what the Chamber and CADC do after some hands-on experience.
Tiefenthaler came to Carroll in 1984 and has been co-owner of the family business since that time. This experience, in conjunction with that from the SBDC align with the mission and vision of both organizations.
In her current role, Tiefenthaler works closely with the economic developers, chambers, Main Street directors, city administrators and other stakeholders in those 13 counties. Most importantly, she says, she works directly with the entrepreneurs and small businesses, making sure they are getting all of their questions answered. Much of her work with the Carroll Chamber and CADC will align with this role.
Tiefenthaler’s first day as Executive Director is Dec. 6. She is staying at the SBDC through the month of October. Her schedule has been hectic during the pandemic, and she is looking forward to taking the month of November to spend some time with family. And she is excited to hit the ground running in December.
Tiefenthaler also currently serves on the Empower Rural Iowa Investing Task Force and says their focus is on leadership and growing associated programs that back local businesses.
Tiefenthaler says some of her other short-term goals involve making sure she is getting to know people throughout the county. She is looking forward to getting back to Carroll and meeting all the key individuals that can help with overall organizational goals and digging into the strategic plans of both the Chamber and CADC. Tiefenthaler was selected from a multi-state pool of candidates and takes over for Shannon Landauer, who resigned earlier this year after seven years as Executive Director to become the President and CEO of the Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation.
