Alliant Energy news release
Joel Schmidt of Alliant Energy elected Chair of Iowa Energy Center Board
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – October 15, 2020 – Joel Schmidt, Vice President of Business Development at Alliant Energy, was elected Chair of the Board of Directors for the Iowa Energy Center.
The Iowa Energy Center, managed by the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA), supports projects and programs that align with the Iowa Energy Plan, created to solidify Iowa as a leader in energy initiatives and policy while developing a path for the future. The Board of Directors, appointed by Gov. Kim Reynolds, oversees, approves and provides direction and implementation of the programs established by the Iowa Energy Center.
“I’m proud of the achievements of the Iowa Energy Center over the past several years. With leadership from the Iowa Economic Development Authority, I look forward to continuing to collaborate with the board to reinforce our state’s energy initiatives and support programs that help Iowans and communities,” Schmidt said.
Schmidt has been a member of the Iowa Energy Center Board of Directors since it was established under IEDA in October 2017. His election as Chair of the Board further strengthens Alliant Energy’s relationship with IEDA, a state agency partner with the company on several initiatives that support development for Iowa communities.
At Alliant Energy, Schmidt has held his current role as Vice President of Business Development since 2017 and is responsible for overseeing growth opportunities that benefit customers and communities. He has been a Vice President at the company since 2010. Schmidt began his career at Alliant Energy in 1988, serving in various roles.
He currently also serves on the Horizons Board of Trustees, Hawkeye Council Boy Scouts of America Board of Trustees, Junior Achievement Board of Trustees, Cedar Rapids Public Library Foundation Board of Directors and Entrepreneurial Development Center Board of Directors.
Schmidt is a CPA who received a bachelor’s degree in Accounting in 1985 and an MBA in 1998, both from the University of Iowa. He is also a certified Lean Six Sigma Green belt.
Schmidt’s full bio is available online.