Gene Gettys joins JEO as client partner for Iowa 


Gene Gettys, former city administrator for Harlan, Iowa, has joined JEO as client partner in the firm’s Business Development Department. Based in Ankeny, Gettys will act as the company’s liaison with clients across the state of Iowa. He assumes the role from Matt Mardesen who was recently named city administrator for Muscatine, Iowa. 

“Gene spent more than 10 years in city government, so he knows better than most the opportunities and challenges municipalities face when updating, maintaining, and replacing facilities,” noted Lonnie Burklund, director of business development for JEO. “He will be a fabulous resource for our clients as they seek to undertake new projects and explore opportunities.”  

Prior to joining JEO, Gettys served first as mayor and then city administrator for Harlan, Iowa. As city administrator he was responsible for all municipal departments and services for a community of nearly 5,000 residents with an annual operating budget of $5 million. Under his guidance, the city implemented numerous community improvement projects including the development of 40 senior housing units, $650,000 in upgrades to city parkland, a $1 million capital improvement program for a wastewater plant, and more than $4 million in airport projects and improvements. A project to redevelop eight acres of highway property for commercial, restaurant, and professional services earned the city an All-Star Community Award from the Iowa League of Cities. 

“My entire career has been focused on helping clients improve the quality and cost-effectiveness of their projects – whether that be a street maintenance and repair program, or oversight of a financial contact center,” commented Gettys. “I enjoy pulling together teams and resources to examine challenges from every angle, and I’m looking forward to leveraging JEO’s vast resources to help clients tackle their infrastructure needs.” 

In addition to city government, Gettys brings to JEO more than two decades of experience in sales, marketing, and operations across the financial, technology, and manufacturing sectors, including management roles at The Principal Financial Group in Des Moines, Iowa, and QBE FIRST and Shelby County State Bank in Harlan, Iowa.  

Gettys is a past member of the Iowa City/County Management Association, Shelby County Landfill Board, and Shelby County Wellness Alliance. He also served on the Invest Task Force as part of the Governor’s Empower Rural Iowa Initiative. In his free time, Gettys enjoys spending time with family and announcing high school football games and track meets.