Andy Kelleher settling in as Main Street Lansing’s new Executive Director
Andy Kelleher ...
by Susan Cantine-Maxson
Andy Kelleher, the new Main Street Lansing Executive Director, is no stranger to northeast Iowa. Kelleher grew up in the Lansing/New Albin area and attended school in the Eastern Allamakee Community School District. He graduated with top marks from Kee High School in Lansing and was ready to meet the world.
Kelleher had spent several summers at Village Creek Bible Camp, working with young people and organizing activities for their camps. He ventured away from the area to check out Cincinnati, OH and was ready to move there but eventually came back, ready to find his niche back in his hometown area. He continues to work with an area church’s youth group.
His next adventure led him to run in the primary election earlier this year for District 56 seat in the Iowa House of Representatives. His passion for local community and rural life created a foundation within him which led him to seek a place where he could create some of the change he saw that was needed for rural northeast Iowa. Although his bid for the seat was unsuccessful, he maintained an exuberance for making life better in northeast Iowa.
Next, an opportunity arose when Main Street Lansing needed a new Executive Director after previous director Craig White left the position. The fit seemed like a natural extension of what Kelleher was passionate about. He knew the advantages of growing up in smalltown Iowa where community and values are important to those who choose to live there. Kelleher has been on the job for a couple of months now.
He recently attended the Main Street executive director and board leadership workshops in Des Moines which gave him an overview of how he could match his skills with the needs of the position. His main goal is to promote and increase the visibility of the business entities in Lansing. He hopes to do projects such as video tours and interviews with business owners which will be posted to social media platforms. For the first year, he will concentrate on working with area businesses to enhance projects which are already in place, such as the Lansing Luau and the Christmas promotion.
Reflecting on the area’s needs, he feels the job as executive director will help him address some of those issues as well. Kelleher stated, “I was very concerned with population growth, economic development and advertising local tourism, and this position will allow me to take an active role in each of those areas. I want to see my home prosper and thrive. I’ve spoken with many of my former high school classmates, and some of them have expressed the idea that Lansing really grows on you after being away for a while. I know that time away only made me more fond of the place. Hopefully, my work through this new job will make Lansing a place not only to come back to for a visit, but a place to live and prosper.”
Kelleher may be reached at the Main Street Lansing office at 253 Main Street Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m. or by calling 563-538-9229 or emailing director@lansingmatters.com.
