The Dubuque Initiatives Board is made up of community members and City representatives. The Board meets bi-monthly to collaboratively work toward achieving the organization’s mission, align with City of Dubuque key initiatives, and support the projects of other impactful community organizations.
Kevin Lynch 
Tori Richter 
Rick Dickinson
Susan Farber
Tim Hodge 
Brad Cavanagh 
Ernest Jackson
Mike Van Milligen
Mike Jansen
Tony Pfohl© 2017 Dubuque Initiatives. All Rights Reserved
President & CEO of Net-Smart
Community Involvement: Former Dubuque City Council Member, Dubuque Racing Association, Finley Hospital, Dubuque Initiatives, Greater Dubuque Development Corporation
Senior Vice President Commercial Banking at American Trust & Savings Bank
Community Involvement: Dubuque Main Street, Ltd. Board Member, Hills & Dales Child Development Center Board Member, Mistletones Vocalist, Hunter Fuerste American Vintage Orchestra Vocalist, Julien Winds Flutist
President and CEO of Dubuque Bank and Trust and Executive Vice President of Lending at Heartland Financial
Community Involvement: University of Dubuque Board Member and Dubuque Racing Association Board Member
Mayor of Dubuque
Community Involvement: He serves on the United Way Budget Committee, is a member of the Loyal Order of Moose #355, Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Dubuque County Historical Society, the Dubuque Museum of Art
President & CEO of Greater Dubuque Development Corporation
Community Involvement: Dubuque Racing Association, Iowa Legal Aid, CIRAS Advisory Council
CEO Hodge Company
Community involvement:
Greater Dubuque Development Executive Board Member
Dubuque Bank and Trust, Board Member
Run4Troops, Board Member
Brad Cavanagh, of 565 Fenelon Place., was elected to the Dubuque City Council in November 2019 to represent the city’s Fourth Ward.
Brad is a Dubuque native and was a member of the Dubuque Housing Commission. He also served as vice chairman of the Dubuque County Food Policy Council, was a board member for the Fountain of Youth, and is a co-founder of Resources Unite.
Brad has worked as an associate professor of social work at Loras College since 2010. His previous professional experience includes working as a mental health counselor for Crossroads Counseling Center and psychotherapist and operations manager for Pathways for Aging. He holds a bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of Iowa and a master’s degree in social work from St. Louis University.
Brad and his wife, Jennifer Cavanagh, have two sons.
Founder and CEO of M & M Sales Enterprises.
Raised on Iowa Farm, trained as an Engineer and work as a serial entrepreneur;
Community Involvement:
Startup Dubuque Board Member
Member of St. Anthony parish
External Advisory to University of Illinois
Ernest Jackson has been actively engaged in Greater Dubuque community improvement initiatives for several years. He has served as a mentor to youth, young professionals, and community leaders. His core belief is that we can build a better future for all segments of the local community. Ernest is Chair of the Board of Directors of Dubuque’s True North. He is an active member of the Dubuque Black Men Coalition. Ernest says he has too many hobbies, which include cycling and playing guitar.
Dubuque City Manager
Community Involvement: Dubuque Racing Association Board Member, Dubuque Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Board Member
Senior Project Manager & Structural/Civil Engineer at Strand Associates, Inc.. Former CEO & Principal Engineer at IIW, P.C..
Michael was born and raised in the Tri-State Area. He was on the East Dubuque Savings Bank Board of Directors, UW-Platteville Foundation Board, UW-Platteville Alumni Board, and was involved in numerous community service activities over the course of his 32+ year career as a professional engineer.
Michael and his wife Paula have 4 adult children and 5 grandchildren.
Coming Soon!