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.
Recently, 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 Hospitality category:
Jennifer DeWitt
Editor
Quad Cities Regional Business Journal
DAVE HERRELL
PRESIDENT & CEO, VISIT QUAD CITIES, MOLINE
Born in Fullerton, California, Dave Herrell now proudly calls the Quad Cities home. He and his wife Connie live in Bettendorf with their son and daughter.
As Visit Quad Cities’ leader, he strives to drive positive economic development opportunities through tourism. During his tenure, Visit QC has produced record annual visitor expenditures of $1.3 billion and has set ambitious plans for the future.
Prior to joining Visit, Herrell led the City of Jacksonville’s Office of Sports & Entertainment as its sports and entertainment officer, responsible for Sports, Office of Special Events, Film & Television Office, and the city’s public access venues. In that job, he oversaw events such as the Florida-Georgia Game, Jacksonville Jazz Festival, and the Sea & Sky Airshow. He also oversaw the management of city’s lease agreements including the NFL, ASM Global, minor-league sports franchises, the symphony, and all special events.
A native of St. Louis, he earned his BA in communication from the University of Missouri.
His proudest career moment is seeing his team flourish, particularly the young people. Thos landing an NFL franchise in Nashville was pretty cool too.
FAVORITE PLACE IN QC: They are all like my children so it’s too hard for me to name one. But anything connected to our world-renowned Mississippi River.
BIGGEST MENTOR/ROLE MODEL: My Dad. Not a day goes by that I don’t think about the values he instilled in me.
SOMETHING SURPRISING: Huge fan of Hallmark movies. Let the judging begin!
BIGGEST ISSUE FACING QC: A meaningful commitment to regionalism and backing it up with action not just words.
FAVORITE PART OF BEING A LEADER: The energy and purpose that the team brings to the table 365/24/7. Working with my team every day to make an impact on our community inspires me and brings me so much joy.
DANIEL HUBER
OWNER & CEO, FRONTIER HOSPITALITY GROUP, BETTENDORF
Daniel Huber joined Frontier Hospitality Group in 2007, assuming the CEO role in 2014. With a career that began in chambers of commerce and economic development, he brought his leadership and vision to Frontier – helping to build on its 74-year legacy in the hospitality industry.
He holds a BA degree in public relations and communications from the University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls. At 25, he became a chamber CEO, and by 29, he was leading Iowa’s third-largest chamber. In 2014, Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad appointed him to the Iowa Department of Transportation Commission.
Despite his professional accomplishments, he considers being a father to Adelyn, Allyson, and Celia his greatest honor and achievement.
APPEAL OF HAVING YOUR BUSINESS IN QC: The Quad Cities has been a great place to invest in a business. Our team members make such a difference in terms of running a successful business. They make being in business worthwhile. The QC is also the kind of place where you can partner with local government and other businesses and organizations. There is a real sense of collegiality and helping one another in our community.
BIGGEST MENTOR: With many mentors over his career, he said he has learned much from long-time partner Bart Baker, who has had a great influence on his life.
BIGGEST ISSUE FACING THE REGION The QC is striving to think more regionally, and recognizing what the community has to offer is the sum of the parts each individual community has to offer. All our energies need to be marshaled toward creating more primary job growth which drives a measure of population growth. If we are expanding outward, but without meaningful job and population growth, we are not maximizing the growth opportunities in our regional community.
RYAN HINTZE
CEO, PRESIDENT & OWNER, IRON TEE GOLF | TBK BANK SPORTS COMPLEX | CORN BELT CAPITAL, BETTENDORF
Ryan Hintze is an entrepreneur with more than 15 years of experience in the plumbing and mechanical industry. In 2019, he founded Corn Belt Capital, initially as a side venture, to develop industrial speculative buildings in the QC. The company successfully developed and fully occupied two major facilities. In 2022, he transitioned to full-time commercial development. After expanding his focus to golf entertainment, he founded Iron Tee Golf in May 2024. He also is president and minority owner of TBK Bank Sports Complex.
The Bettendorf native is passionate about the growth and opportunities in the Quad Cities and a movement to make it a better place.
He earned a construction management degree from Pittsburgh State University.
BIGGEST MENTORS: Kevin Koellner, an invaluable mentor in real estate development; Doug Kratz, who taught him the financial side of business and setting high standards; and finally, his father, Stan Hintze, who taught him how to treat people and always leaves them with a smile and a laugh.
APPEAL OF HAVING YOUR BUSINESS IN QC: When we first opened Iron Tee Golf, I noticed a lot of community members were genuinely surprised and impressed by the scale of our entertainment and event spaces. It almost felt like they didn’t believe the Quad Cities deserved something so grand.
PROUDEST CAREER MOMENT: Leaving my steady job and starting my own business. This was a huge leap of faith, stepping away from the safety and predictability of a regular paycheck to dive into the unknown of entrepreneurship. The experience of building a business from the ground up has shaped not just my career but my whole life. It’s given me the chance to lead a team that’s as passionate about our work as I am and to think big about our future.
DAN BUSH
BUMMER CITY, FOUNDER, BETTENDORF
Dan Bush founded Bummer City in 2015 with a mission to create a sense of place for young people in the Quad Cities, a goal sparked by his disappointment when many of his high school classmates left the area and didn’t return. Through Bummer City, he has launched several local businesses, including Armored Gardens, Devon’s Complaint Dept., Analog Arcade Bar, Analog Pizza & Arcade, and the newly opened Take Cover Tiki Club in Moline Centre.
He earned his BA in political science from DePaul University and began his career in the admissions department at St. Ambrose University before entering hospitality management as the operating partner of a Jimmy John’s franchise.
One of his greatest joys is working alongside his wife, Megan, and father-in-law, Rich Cooksey, in their shared ventures. The couple live in Bettendorf with their daughters, Hannah and Lucy.
His guiding mantra: “If you never ask the question, the answer will always be ‘no.'”
FAVORITE PLACE IN THE QC: It’s impossible to name just one, but dinner at Smash Pizza followed by a movie at The Last Picture House is an ideal night out.
BIGGEST ROLE MODEL/ MENTOR: My brother Brendan inspires me every day, and is the toughest person I know.
PROUDEST CAREER MOMENT: When a stranger tells me that something I had a hand in creating is their favorite place.
BEST CAREER ADVICE: Clearly define what you want out of a career, and it starts by figuring out what you value. It could be autonomy, high earning potential, influence, or work/life balance, but you have to choose the ones that are most important because you can’t have it all.
FAVORITE PART OF BEING A LEADER: I am fortunate to be surrounded by incredible people who have been with me a long time. Their investment in our mission drives everything we do.
