Martens Selected to Lead Iowa Institute for Cooperatives as New Executive Director

 

Ames, Iowa, October 2, 2024 - The board of the Iowa Institute for Cooperatives has announced that Bobby Martens will serve as the next Executive Director of the statewide association for cooperatives in Iowa.

 

Martens' role as Executive Director will begin January 1, 2025. This comes following the retirement announcement of current Executive Director Dave Holm at the end of this year after nearly three decades of leadership.

 

Having most recently spent nearly 19 years at Iowa State University as an Associate Professor of Supply Chain Management and as the Iowa Institute for Cooperatives Endowed Professor of Economics, Martens brings strong academic-industry relationships across a variety of sectors. Known for cultivating thought leadership and developing engaging programs for businesses in Iowa and throughout the country, the Institute will be positively impacted with Martens’ strong industry background.

 

Martens familiarity with the Iowa Institute for Cooperatives will allow for a strong foundation to elevate the resources and development of opportunities available to the state’s cooperatives businesses.

 

“Bobby Martens’ passion for cooperatives and experiences in business are outstanding. He’s prepared to help our cooperative members address current and future challenges,” said Doyle Anderson, President of the Iowa Institute for Cooperatives Board of Directors.

 

Having stewarded the Institute and many other cooperative businesses, Martens stated, “Cooperatives are critically important to many people in the state of Iowa. I’m humbled and excited to build on the important role the Iowa Institute for Cooperatives plays in enhancing the success of member-owned cooperatives”

 

 

Martens grew up on a family grain and cow-calf farm in North Dakota and continues to be closely tied to agriculture and rural America.

 

“Under Dave Holm’s 29 years of dedicated service, the Institute has emerged as the valued resource and partner of cooperatives in Iowa and beyond,” said Rueben Skow, Iowa Institute for Cooperatives Board Vice President, “We extend our gratitude and our best wishes in his retirement.”

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