Silos & Smokestacks announces new president

The Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area based in Waterloo has named a new president.

Cara Miller brings more than 25 years of non-profit management and leadership experience to SSNHA.

"I am thrilled to be returning to my home state of Iowa, and working on behalf of an organization that recognizes and celebrates the importance of farm life, agribusiness and rural communities in our state and the nation," Miller said.

For the past 11 years, Miller has served as executive director of the Minnesota 4-H Foundation, where she provided strategic leadership and planning for the foundation's board of directors. She also worked closely with individuals, corporations and foundations to raise funds to support the Minnesota 4-H program.

Miller graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in general studies, and is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

The Dayton, Iowa, native succeeds Don Short, who will be retiring in July after serving as SSNHA president for 14 years. During his tenure with Silos, Short was instrumental in securing federal authorization for SSNHA until 2021. He also helped launch the Silos & Smokestacks Foundation in order to make the organization self-sustaining.

SSNHA is one of 49 federally designated heritage areas in the nation and is an affiliated area of the National Park Service. The Heritage Area covers 37 counties in the northeast quadrant of Iowa. Interstate 80 borders it on the south and Interstate 35 borders it on the west. Through a network of sites, programs and events, SSNHA interprets farm life, agribusiness, and rural communities - past and present.

Source: IowaPork