Subscriber Services
Our Journalists
Sports Desk
Our Columnists
Our Writers
Our Writers
Our Photojournalists
Data
More Gazette
Other Links
FOLLOW US
Share this article:
Subscriber Services
Our Journalists
Sports Desk
Our Columnists
Our Writers
Our Writers
Our Photojournalists
Data
More Gazette
Other Links
FOLLOW US
Home / News / Government & Politics / Local Government
Matteson succeeds Tamara Marcus, the department’s first director
Apr. 29, 2024 5:25 pm
Cara Matteson started this week as Linn County’s new sustainability director spearheading environmental initiatives in Iowa’s second-largest county.
Matteson started Monday in the role, succeeding Tamara Marcus who resigned last year as the department’s first director. According to the county’s jobs website, the director is paid an annual salary of $75,254.40.
In the position, Matteson will lead Linn County’s sustainability efforts with a focus on environmental health and applying best practices to the areas of water, stormwater management, land use, transportation and environmental conservation.
As director, Matteson is responsible for conducting Linn County’s greenhouse gas inventory; research opportunities related to carbon offsets and carbon trading; providing input into decisions about county facilities and purchases with a sustainability focus; and applying an equity and economic lens in decision-making.
The Linn County Sustainability Council, a volunteer panel made up of Linn County residents, will support the director’s work.
Matteson has experience in environmental and natural resource administration and compliance. She has contributed to both public and private sector consulting as well as nonprofit organizations. She brings experience with engaging stakeholders, grant writing and administering programs, according to the county, which are key skills to manage environmental initiatives.
She has a regulatory background with the state of California and managing municipal permits equips her with a deep understanding of compliance and governance within the water resources and compliance domain. Most recently, Matteson worked for Stantec as a senior geologist and project manager. Prior to that position, Matteson was the water resources manager for the City of Cedar Rapids.
Matteson earned a bachelor of science degree in environmental science and geoscience from the University of Iowa. She also took environmental engineering coursework at Iowa State University and received a teaching license from Morningside College. Matteson “has a passion for addressing the needs of Iowans and continues to keep her finger on the pulse of the industry,” according to the county.
“We look forward to welcoming Cara to Linn County,” Linn County Supervisor Chair Kirsten Running-Marquardt said in a statement. “She will play a central role in coordinating sustainability initiatives with other County departments and engaging stakeholders throughout Linn County to move our community forward.”
Matteson comes to the county after Marcus resigned about three years into the role to launch the Empowered Solutions Collective, a new sustainability and equity consulting service primarily serving Corridor-based local governments, businesses and nonprofits.
Supervisor Louie Zumbach, the lone Republican on the three-member Board of Supervisors, has at times looked to restructure the department that has worked to advance sustainability practices to enhance resiliency to disasters.
In the county’s process of drafting the budget for fiscal 2025 — which spans July 1 through June 30, 2025 — Zumbach supported making the sustainability leader a lower-ranking manager instead of a director. The Democrats on the board, Running-Marquardt and Ben Rogers, didn’t support that switch.
The director also oversees a resiliency coordinator who the county hired last year to focus on improving the county’s disaster response and strengthen relationships with marginalized communities most affected by natural disasters.
Comments: (319) 398-8494; marissa.payne@thegazette.com
Jeff Linder
AP
John Steppe
Cedar Rapids government reporter, The Gazette
Cedar Rapids government reporter. Stay informed with our Daily News newsletter.
Local Government Dec. 27, 2023 7:29 am124d ago
Local Government Nov. 2, 2023 5:00 am179d ago
Local Government Oct. 31, 2023 7:32 am181d ago
Local Government Apr. 29, 2024 10:55 am11h ago
Local Government Apr. 29, 2024 11:09 am11h ago
Local Government Apr. 29, 2024 10:30 am12h ago
Government & Politics 4h ago4h ago
State Government 4h ago4h ago
Curious Iowa Apr. 29, 2024 8:06 am14h ago
News Apr. 29, 2024 5:51 pm4h ago
Crime and Courts Apr. 29, 2024 4:05 pm6h ago
Higher Ed Apr. 29, 2024 5:16 pm5h ago
FOLLOW US
The Gazette has been informing Iowans with in-depth local news coverage and insightful analysis for over 140 years. Support our award-winning, independent journalism with a subscription today.
© 2024 The Gazette | All Rights Reserved.