Transcript | Event Summary
What will the recovery from the pandemic look like for Iowa, and what role will different sectors play? The
state faces many challenges, especially given its urban and rural economies and the importance of its farms
and businesses to the nation’s supply chain. Government, industrial, and nonprofit leaders will
consider the challenges Iowa has faced during the pandemic, as well as the roles that government,
philanthropy, education, and the business sector can play to ensure a recovery in which all Iowans can
thrive.
David Oppedahl
Senior Business Economist
Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago
Moderator
David Oppedahl is a senior business economist in the Economic Research
Department at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. Oppedahl conducts research on the
agricultural sector and rural development, as well as analyzes business conditions and the
regional economy. He directs the Federal Reserve District of Chicago's survey of agricultural
banks on agricultural land values and credit conditions and publishes the results in
AgLetter—the Chicago Fed's quarterly agricultural publication. In addition to his
research, he regularly briefs the Chicago Fed's president on the agricultural economy and
organizes the annual agriculture conference.
Before starting his career at the Chicago Fed as an associate economist in 1998, Oppedahl was a
consultant in the economic research department at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. While at
the Dallas Fed, he provided research support in the area of econometrics.
Oppedahl received a BS in mathematics from Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois, and an MS in
statistics from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He also completed graduate-level
course work in economics while attending Southern Methodist University.
Johnny Alcivar
Program Director
Proteus, Inc.
Panelist
Johnny Alcivar is the director of Workforce Programs at Proteus, Inc., a
multistate nonprofit organization that provides services to farm workers in Iowa, Nebraska, and
Indiana. During the Covid-19 crisis, he has managed an emergency immigrant support fund for
individuals and families that do not qualify for pandemic stimulus funds or governmental
assistance. He recently joined the Polk County Disaster Recovery Basic Needs Subcommittee.
Previously, Alcivar worked in community planning and development for the City of Des Moines and
the City of Cedar Rapids. He graduated with a Master of Community and Regional Planning and a
Bachelor of Arts in political science and international studies from Iowa State University.
Kanlaya Barr
Senior Economist
John Deere
Panelist
Kanlaya Barr is a senior economist for
John Deere. She manages a global team of economists which oversees industry trends and the
agricultural market globally. Since joining Deere nearly a decade ago, Barr has held various
roles including manager of forecast analytics for worldwide service parts and a Latin America
economist. Prior to joining Deere, Barr spent a few years in the finance industry. Barr received
her doctorate degree in agricultural economics and a master’s degree in accounting from
Iowa State University.
Quentin Hart
Mayor
Waterloo, IA
Panelist
Quentin Hart is the first African American to serve as Mayor of Waterloo, Iowa.
Hart took the office in January 2016. He is now serving his third term as mayor. He served three
terms as Ward 4 Councilman, from 2008 through 2015, including an appointment as first African
American Mayor Pro-Tem for the City of Waterloo.
Previously, as associate director of multicultural affairs for Hawkeye Community College, Hart
provided leadership for multicultural initiatives and promoted awareness and appreciation for
diversity on campus and in the community. He received his MAE in postsecondary education:
student affairs from the University of Northern Iowa and has a BA in sociology from Minnesota
State and a liberal arts degree from Iowa Central Community College. Hart serves with the US
Conference of Mayors, National League of Cities, Accelerator for America Advisory Board, and the
National Alliance for Partnerships in Equity (NAPE). He is president-elect of the Iowa League of
Cities and has appointments with numerous regional and state organizations.
Dave Swenson
Research Scientist
Iowa State University
Panelist
Dave Swenson is a research scientist in the Department of Economics, Iowa State
University, and a lecturer in the School of Urban and Regional Planning, The University of Iowa.
He is a community economics research and education specialist; his work centers on regional and
statewide economic analysis, technical assistance, and projects that support
university-sponsored efforts in community development. He studies a wide range of mostly
Iowa-specific topics—including the economic contribution of biofuels and advanced biofuels
to Iowa’s economy; the economic impacts of alternative energy opportunities, such as wind
and solar; local foods assessments; industrial and occupational change; and the demographic and
economic consequences of rural transformation in Iowa and the Midwest. He is a frequent
contributor to state and national news outlets looking to understand the Iowa or Midwest
economy. He has been at Iowa State University since 1989, and before that he worked at the
University of Iowa from 1981 through 1988.