Bi-State Regional Commission is seeking a practical, collaborative, and forward-looking regional executive to lead one of the Midwest’s most distinctive bi-state planning and intergovernmental organizations. This is a rare opportunity to guide a respected regional commission through its first Executive Director transition in more than 25 years while advancing transportation, infrastructure, economic development, and regional cooperation across a five-county, two-state region (the `Quad Cities’ on the Mississippi River in Iowa and Illinois).
The Commission is seeking an executive who brings:
• Transportation planning, funding, and regional infrastructure credibility
• Experience leading grant-funded public or intergovernmental organizations
• Skill building trust with elected officials, member governments, state/federal partners, and staff
• The ability to strengthen economic development, grant strategy, and member-service value across the region
The role requires visible neutrality, sound public-sector judgment, and the ability to lead through influence rather than formal authority. Bi-State’s value is grounded in trust, technical credibility, funding leverage, and practical service to member governments throughout the five-county region. The organization provides transportation planning, community and economic development, grant administration, GIS and mapping services, environmental planning, and regional collaboration that benefits member governments throughout the five-county region.
Reporting directly to the Commission, the Executive Director leads approximately 18 employees and manages an annual operating budget of approximately $2.5 million supported through federal, state, local, contract, and member-government funding. Bi-State operates in a project-funded environment where staff time, grant eligibility, transportation funding, reimbursement documentation, and audit readiness are directly connected to organizational sustainability. The next Executive Director must be comfortable leading a technical, grant-funded public organization where transportation planning and programming are central to both mission and budget.
The salary range for this position is $135,000–$160,000, depending on experience and qualifications.
Requirements for this position include:
• Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Urban or Regional Planning, Transportation Planning, Public Policy, Business Administration, Economic Development, or a related field
• Eight or more years of progressively responsible management and supervisory experience in local government, regional government, transportation planning, economic development, public administration, or a closely related field
• Demonstrated experience with budgeting, strategic planning, staff leadership, grants, intergovernmental relationships, and board or commission support
• Working knowledge of transportation planning, regional planning, grant-funded programs, or intergovernmental service delivery
• Valid driver’s license
Preferred:
• Master’s degree in a related field
• Executive or senior management experience with a Council of Governments, Metropolitan Planning Organization, regional planning agency, local government, transportation agency, economic development district, or comparable intergovernmental organization
• Experience with federal and state transportation funding, grant administration, project accounting, reimbursement documentation, and compliance requirements
• Familiarity with Federal Highway Administration, Federal Transit Administration, Economic Development Administration, state departments of transportation, or comparable funding partners
• Professional certifications such as AICP, ICMA-CM, CEcD, Professional Transportation Planner, or similar credentials
For more information on this position, contact:
Clay Pearson, Senior Vice President, Executive Recruitment
claypearson@governmentresource.com | 713-816-8639
