New acting DED director, deputy

Breaking news on the Film Office/DED front; news release below:

GOVERNOR CULVER APPOINTS FRED HUBBELL AS INTERIM DIRECTOR OF IOWA DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Joe O’Hern Appointed Interim Deputy Director at IDED

DES MOINES – Governor Chet Culver today announced that Fred S. Hubbell has agreed to serve as the interim director of the Iowa Department of Economic Development (IDED). Hubbell, of Des Moines, has led global companies as well as civic initiatives in Iowa. Because of previous commitments, he will begin the interim appointment on October 5.

In addition, Governor Culver announced that Joe O’Hern, deputy director at the Iowa Finance Authority (IFA), will serve as interim deputy director at IDED, focusing on IDED’s flood recovery efforts.

“The history of the Hubbell family runs parallel to the history of Iowa, and I am honored that someone with Fred’s experience, integrity and commitment to our state will serve in this key position,” said Governor Culver. “Fred’s leadership will help us ensure that proper oversight is in place for IDED programs. And he will play a vital role in our work to support business and job opportunities to help Iowa work our way out of the economic recession.”

“Economic development in Iowa is a critical engine for growth,” said Interim Director Hubbell. “I look forward to helping both Governor Culver and the department address this issue and focus on what IDED does well, which is creating and retaining jobs.”

Added Culver: “Joe O’Hern’s experience makes him an important addition to IDED. He will focus on making sure progress continues with our housing initiatives, the use of CDBG funding, and other initiatives critical to our flood recovery efforts.”

Hubbell has a long history of service to the people of Iowa. He was appointed to serve as chair of the Iowa Power Fund Board by Governor Culver in 2007, and will continue to serve on the board as the representative of IDED. In addition, Hubbell was appointed co-chair of the Iowa Disaster Collaborative, which raised millions of dollars on behalf of those affected by last year’s natural disasters.

Hubbell was a member of the Executive Board and Chairman of Insurance and Asset Management Americas for ING Group, a Netherlands-based banking, insurance and asset management company. Hubbell served as an Executive Board member from May 2000 through April 2006. He was also responsible for Nationale Nederlanden, ING’s largest Dutch insurance company, and ING’s asset management operations throughout Europe beginning in May 2004. Mr. Hubbell retired from ING Group’s Executive Board in April 2006.

Hubbell was formerly Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Equitable of Iowa Companies, an insurance holding company, serving as Chairman from May 1993 to October 1997, and as President and Chief Executive Officer from May 1989 to October 1997. Hubbell served in various capacities with Equitable of Iowa Companies since 1983, in addition to serving as Chairman of Younker’s.

O’Hern is a graduate of Princeton University who spent more than 20 years drafting legislation in the Iowa legislature. President Bill Clinton nominated him to serve as the regional representative for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in Kansas City, KS. After a number of years at HUD, he took a newly created position as head of the Fannie Mae Partnership Office in Iowa, where he helped non-profit housing groups build more and better housing for low-income families. During his time at IFA, he was appointed to the Governor’s Rebuild Iowa Task Force to help coordinate efforts in rebuilding communities after the natural disasters of 2008.