The Ames Regional Economic Alliance has been recognized with two awards from the Mid-America Chamber Executives (MACE), honoring excellence in chamber leadership, programming, and communications across the Midwest.
Leading the recognition, President and CEO Dan Culhane was named Executive of the Year, one of MACE’s highest honors. The award recognizes a chamber professional who has demonstrated outstanding leadership, organizational excellence, and long-term impact within their community.
Over the past 20 years, Culhane has led the transformation of the organization from a single-community chamber into a multi-county regional economic development alliance. Under his leadership, the organization has expanded its geographic reach, grown membership, and strengthened partnerships across Boone, Hamilton, and Story counties. In the past decade alone, the Alliance has helped support more than $2.5 billion in project investment across the region, reflecting both sustained economic growth and the effectiveness of regional collaboration efforts.
Culhane’s tenure has been defined by a focus on relationship-building, regionalism, and long-term strategic growth. His leadership has guided the evolution of the organization’s structure, programming, and partnerships, positioning the Ames region as a leader in economic development and community collaboration in Iowa and beyond.
The Alliance also received recognition for the success of the AREA Podcast, which continues to grow as a platform for storytelling and regional engagement. The podcast features in-depth conversations with business leaders, entrepreneurs, and community stakeholders, covering topics such as leadership, innovation, and economic development initiatives shaping the future of Ames and the surrounding region. Episodes are available on major streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon, and more, with video versions accessible on the Alliance’s YouTube channel.
This marks the second consecutive year the Alliance has earned a MACE marketing and communications award. In 2025, the organization was recognized for its rebranding efforts.
Mid-America Chamber Executives (MACE) is made up of chamber professionals belonging to their state chamber executive organization or state chamber of commerce in the six-state area of Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin.
The Ames Regional Economic Alliance remains committed to advancing its mission of fostering a thriving business environment and enhancing quality of life across the region.