Biobased Industry Outlook Conference
August 29-30, 2005
Iowa State University - Ames, IA
karen Merrick
Karen Merrick, an Iowa native, currently serves as the Biosciences Coordinator for the Iowa Department of Economic Development. She has 30 years of experience in economic development as well as corporate management, and has worked with organizations consisting of two to more than 200 employees in the areas of government and not-for-profit management. Her demonstrated ability to lead and achieve results made her a natural to organize the multiple players involved in the State of Iowa's efforts to implement the needed strategy for developing the biosciences industry in Iowa.
A graduate of the University of Iowa, Merrick has served as a four-term mayor of Guttenberg, Iowa, and CEO of G and G Living Centers, a provider of services to people with developmental disabilities. Merrick, bringing her experience and knowledge in rural development, has also served on multiple state and federal boards and commissions, including as a member of the Board of Directors of the Iowa Department of Economic Development, as an advisor to Iowa State University's Tomorrow's Leaders Today Program, and as an Advisor to the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
