The Quad Cities Regional Business Journal is proud to share some of the profiles found in our second annual Regional Leaders, published in January. This special publication recognizes 150 business and community leaders who we consider to be among the most noteworthy and impactful across the bistate region. Last week, the QCBJ held a reception […]
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The Quad Cities Regional Business Journal is proud to share some of the profiles found in our second annual Regional Leaders, published in January. This special publication recognizes 150 business and community leaders who we consider to be among the most noteworthy and impactful across the bistate region.
Last week, the QCBJ held a reception for these leaders and now we will be highlighting their profiles in our newsletters a few at a time. You can still purchase a copy of the glossy, full-color print edition here.
The QCBJ team identified those we believe are leaving their mark on the Quad Cities through their careers, mentorship or philanthropy. We recognize, however, that it is not an inclusive list and urge readers to reach out to us for suggestions for 2026.
The profiles are excerpts from surveys the Regional Leaders completed and/or biographies compiled from information our reporters gathered from company websites, LinkedIn profiles and other accounts. Today’s collection come from the Economic Development category:
Jennifer DeWittEditor Quad Cities Regional Business Journal BRAD BARKPRESIDENT/CEO, GREATER MUSCATINE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY, MUSCATINEMAYOR, CITY OF MUSCATINEBrad BarkA successful city begins with each individual citizen taking pride in their community, says Dr. Brad Bark. And as Muscatine mayor and president/CEO of the Greater Muscatine Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GMCCI), his work contributes to that success. Since taking on both roles in 2022, he has been a part of business expansions, residential development plans and new businesses coming into Muscatine, Iowa. He owns a real estate business, Point Above Properties, and has served on numerous boards, including Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiatives, Muscatine Recreation Advisory Committee, Emergency 911, and more. “We as a community cannot work in separate silos, but need to break down the walls that are barriers in order to collaborate.”Dr. Bark is a 2011 graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic, Davenport. He and his wife, Candice, and their three children enjoy the outdoor opportunities living near the Mississippi River provide. “There are many things to do in our region. In Muscatine, we have 21 parks and recreation sites with 15 miles of trails.”PROUDEST CAREER MOMENT: Changing from health care to mayor and the chamber world. I had surgery in 2021 that did not allow me to practice efficiently, and walked into my two current positions.BIGGEST MENTOR/ROLE MODEL: My father, Duane Bark. He was my high school principal and varsity football coach. Before he passed away in 2020, he was a great resource and a wealth of knowledge.BIGGEST ISSUE FACING REGION: We need to continue to tell the story on why our region is the place a person wants to live.RECOMMENDED READING: “The Fred Factor.” The basis behind this book is how passion in your work and life can turn the ordinary into the extraordinary.BRUCE BERGERDIRECTOR, COMMUNITY PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT,CITY OF DAVENPORTBruce BergerAfter growing up in the Waterloo/Cedar Falls, Iowa, area, Bruce Berger obtained undergraduate and graduate degrees in political science, economics and public policy. He moved to Davenport in 1994 to work as an intern with the city. He became director of community and economic development in 2014. In the past 30 years, he has addressed neighborhood planning, federal grant administration, housing rehabilitation and development, public housing and voucher administration, land use regulation, environmental review, and economic development. APPEAL OF HAVING YOUR BUSINESS IN QC: As a city government, the Quad Cities allows networking and collaboration with colleagues who are likely experiencing the same issues. Additionally, our geographic locale offers proximity to even larger urban areas, which is often appealing in our job recruitment and employer expansion efforts. We are able to market to those who desire water resources, flat buildable ground, great work ethic in the employee base, access to large employers as well as a community that appreciates entrepreneurial spirit.BIGGEST MENTOR/ROLE MODEL: My father-in-law, Ed Brown.DREAM JOB AS A KID: As a kid, I think I thought I might be a jet-setting environmental attorney for the EPA by day, righting all the wrongs of polluting factories, and then strap on an electric guitar in my grammy-winning band that would play arena-rock shows around the world.FAVORITE PART OF BEING A LEADER: We get to work with amazing, bright, passionate people who navigate a complex set of rules and laws every day to help our neighbors, businesses, and citizens accomplish their goals in the community. Every day brings a different project or challenge on which we often need to partner and brainstorm to resolve, so that when that happens, there is a significant feeling of fulfillment and impact. It is a great dopamine hit!MILES BRAINARDCOMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR, CITY OF ROCK ISLANDMiles BrainardRock Island Community Development Director Miles Brainard has been with the city for seven and a half years. In his current role, he deals with areas that include planning, zoning, building inspections, housing rehabilitation and supporting economic development. Some specific interests include downtown revitalization and historic preservation. Before coming to the Quad Cities, Brainard worked in northwestern Iowa at a regional government agency doing grant administration for small communities.FAVORITE PART OF LIVING IN QC: The Quad Cities has a lot of affordable amenities and an ease of living that is hard to beat. Plus, it is conveniently located for someone who likes to travel. It is no big deal to head over to Des Moines, the Twin Cities, St. Louis, or Chicago for the weekend.EDUCATION: BS Degree in community & regional planning with a minor in sociology from Iowa State University, Ames. (Class of 2015).FAVORITE QC PLACE: My favorite spot in the region for the view is Schwiebert Riverfront Park in Rock Island. It is the best park on the Mississippi in the region and offers the most compelling view of the river, Lock & Dam No. 15, and the Davenport skyline. For a quiet stroll, I like to go out to Loud Thunder Forest Preserve.BEST CAREER ADVICE: Work to live, don't live to workFAVORITE VACATION: Backwoods camping trip in Yellowstone National Park a few summers ago.RECOMMENDED READING/LISTENING: "Alchemy: The Dark Art and Curious Science of Creating Magic in Brands, Business, and Life" by Rory Sutherland (2019).BIGGEST ISSUE FACING QC: Welcoming an increasingly diverse population and integrating them into the community.FAVORITE PART OF BEING A LEADER: Elevating my team and giving them the recognition they deserve.DENISE BULATEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, BI-STATE REGIONAL COMMISSION, ROCK ISLAND
Denise BulatDenise Bulat joined the planning commission in 1984. She was planning and transportation director before becoming executive director of a five-county organization that serves 50-plus municipalities and 425,000 people. Its work includes transportation, recreation, land use, environmental planning, community and economic development coordination, grant writing and administration, graphics services and forums. FAVORITE PARK OF LIVING IN QC: I love the diversity of places that are within a short drive in every direction from the Quad Cities and on both sides of the Mississippi River. The Mississippi adds so much and I am thankful for the progress all of our communities have and are making in developing assets along the river. APPEAL OF HAVING YOUR BUSINESS IN QC: (The commission) exists, in part, because the metropolitan area is nearly equally divided between the states of Iowa and Illinois; thus, underscoring the importance of local government cooperation. The urban area alone has over 20 local governments so collaboration is essential and it is why we were formed for transportation and comprehensive planning purposes in 1966. FAVORITE QC PLACE: All of the multi-purpose trails in the Bi-State Region are amazing and my favorite place in the region. We are very blessed that we have so many miles of trails through and along many diverse landscapes. We are also fortunate to be part of three national trails – the American Discovery Trail, Mississippi River Trail, and Great American Rail Trail.BIGGEST MENTOR/ROLE MODEL: Gary Vallem … saw me as a leader and offered me a department head position when I had not considered it. He shared his approach to problem solving and would always provide support if there were any questions. … He allowed me the latitude to tackle those challenges and grow in my career.
Denise BulatDenise Bulat joined the planning commission in 1984. She was planning and transportation director before becoming executive director of a five-county organization that serves 50-plus municipalities and 425,000 people. Its work includes transportation, recreation, land use, environmental planning, community and economic development coordination, grant writing and administration, graphics services and forums.
FAVORITE PARK OF LIVING IN QC: I love the diversity of places that are within a short drive in every direction from the Quad Cities and on both sides of the Mississippi River. The Mississippi adds so much and I am thankful for the progress all of our communities have and are making in developing assets along the river.
APPEAL OF HAVING YOUR BUSINESS IN QC: (The commission) exists, in part, because the metropolitan area is nearly equally divided between the states of Iowa and Illinois; thus, underscoring the importance of local government cooperation. The urban area alone has over 20 local governments so collaboration is essential and it is why we were formed for transportation and comprehensive planning purposes in 1966.
FAVORITE QC PLACE: All of the multi-purpose trails in the Bi-State Region are amazing and my favorite place in the region. We are very blessed that we have so many miles of trails through and along many diverse landscapes. We are also fortunate to be part of three national trails – the American Discovery Trail, Mississippi River Trail, and Great American Rail Trail.
BIGGEST MENTOR/ROLE MODEL: Gary Vallem … saw me as a leader and offered me a department head position when I had not considered it. He shared his approach to problem solving and would always provide support if there were any questions. … He allowed me the latitude to tackle those challenges and grow in my career.
