New Iowa State President Could Affect Local Economy

The newly selected  University president will play an important role in the entire community of Ames and beyond.

“I would say a vibrant and well functioning Iowa State is a critical part of our local economy, and we have to get the presidency right for Iowa State to remain an important contributor to our local economy,” said former co-chair of the Iowa State presidential search committee, Roger Underwood, whose company, Riverwood Management, invests in agribusiness.

Iowa State's , Steven Leath, should be good for the local economy, some business leaders said.

Leath who was named as the University's 15th president on Tuesday, has been credited with raising $1.4 billion annually in research grants and contracts at the University of North Carolina, where the plant pathologist currently serves as vice president for research and sponsored programs and interim vice president for academic planning.

Dan Culhane, Ames Chamber of Commerce president and chief executive, said Leath's experience building a research park in North Carolina and his plant and science research background seem like a good fit.

“It dovetails nicely with some of the things we're trying to attract in the Iowa State community, Culhane said.

Culhane said the city is also working on developments in its research park and Leath's previous experience might facilitate that.

Underwood said Leath is excited about using the information Iowa State produces and turning that into something the larger community can benefit from.

“Steven Leath appears to want to speed up the process of transferring technology and ideas from research into both public and private growth opportunities and some of that could land in Ames and continue to build the local economy,” Underwood said.

An Iowa State discovery might launch a new business or it could be just as simple as sharing an idea such as how to eat better, Underwood said.

“Steven wants to do a better job of capturing value in information created at Iowa State and have that value benefit Iowans,” he said.

A new leader means new opportunities, not necessarily better, just different Culhane said.

Gregory Geoffroy, the current president, recently completed an $800 million fundraising campaign, and Leath likely won't be asked to raise such a sum, Culhane said.

Geoffroy will go down as one of the best presidents in Iowa State history, Culhane said.

Leath will have some big shoes to fill, Culhane said, adding that he's sure Geoffroy will make the transition easy.

“Geoffroy worked hard and I am eager to see what the new leadership brings at Iowa State,” Culhane said.

Ames Mayor Ann Campbell hasn't yet met Leath but said the city has always had a good relationship with the university and she is sure that will continue.

Leath's first official day on the job is Feb. 1.