Rebuilding for Resilience: How Will Iowa Thrive After the Pandemic?

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.

Kanlaya (pronounced Ga-li-a) 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 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 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.