Local business leader and former DavenportOne CEO Dan Huber has been elected Chair of the Iowa Department of Transportation Commission, DOT officials announced yesterday in Ames. Huber replaces former Congressman Leonard Boswell, who remains on the commission. The seven-member board is charged with developing a comprehensive transportation policy and plan for the state of Iowa, identifying transportation needs, and developing programs to meet those needs.
Huber has served as a state transportation commissioner since his appointment by Governor Branstad in 2014. Quad Cities Chamber staff identified an opening on the commission that year and pushed for Huber’s appointment.
“We believe it’s tremendously important to stay abreast of opportunities on major boards and commissions and to advocate for local leaders to step into positions of leadership,” says Tara Barney, CEO of the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce. “When we became aware of the Iowa DOT opening, we immediately approached Dan because he uniquely understands the importance of a strong, well-planned transportation network that supports business and industry, tourism and hospitality, and community development in general.”
“It’s a great honor to serve alongside my fellow commissioners as chairman of the IDOT commission,” says Huber. “Our transportation system is a driving force for economic growth. The Iowa Department of Transportation is comprised of many dedicated professionals who work hard to insure Iowa maintains a competitive advantage due to the quality of our transportation system,” says Huber.
Chamber officials have already begun talking with the commission about regional priorities, including upgrading I-80 to six lanes from the Quad Cities to Iowa City and working with the State of Illinois to advance passenger rail.
“We are updating Iowa’s long-range transportation plan, making a major investment in the repair and maintenance of our existing system, aggressively investing in expansion of our highway system, preparing to make investments in sections of our Interstate system where the volume of traffic and truck traffic is over capacity, and much more,” says Huber. “We need to continue to take a very balanced approach in how we invest our resources,” he continues.
Other Quad City leaders to hold DOT commission posts in the past include Davenport residents Roger Fair, Marlin “Hap” Volz, and former mayor Thom Hart.
Huber is currently President & CEO and Co-Owner of Frontier Hospitality Group, a partnership that owns and operates Best Western Plus Dubuque Hotel & Conference Center and Champps Americana in Dubuque; Best Western Plus SteepleGate Inn in Davenport; Holiday Inn Express in Moline and Holiday Inn Express in East Peoria.
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Huber served as President & CEO of DavenportOne (1999-2007), after serving as President & CEO of the Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce (1995-1999) and Director of Business & Government Affairs for the Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce (1992-1995).
Huber is a member of the Young Professionals Organization (YPO - Iowa Chapter) and founding member and former Chairman of the Iowa Chamber Alliance, a coalition of the state’s sixteen largest urban chambers.
He is a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa.
