GREATER DES MOINES, IA (July 22, 2020) – Teree Caldwell-Johnson has joined Capital Crossroads as the newest chair to the Capital Crossroads leadership team. In this position, Caldwell-Johnson will steer Capital Crossroads and the region’s vision plan into the future.

“I’m looking forward to joining the Capital Crossroads leadership team and continuing meaningful work for the region,” said Caldwell-Johnson. “There is much to be done; I’m energized by the current projects and all the work to come.”

Caldwell-Johnson has spent her entire career in public service. Appointed CEO for Oakridge Neighborhood and Oakridge Neighborhood Services in 2004, Caldwell-Johnson also served as Polk County Manager from 1996-2003 and Executive Director of Metro Waste Authority from 1988-1996.

“Teree is the epitome of a community leader. She will help drive the goals of Capital Crossroads and our region forward,” said Angela Connolly, Polk County Board of Supervisor and fellow Capital Crossroads Chair.

Teree was elected to the Des Moines School Board in 2006 and re-elected to second, third and fourth terms in 2009, 2013 and 2017. She serves on the following boards: National Civic League, Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, Polk County Housing Trust Fund, Planned Parenthood of North Central States and The Directors’ Council. She also played an integral leadership role in the work of One Economy: Building Opportunity for All.

“Teree has added tremendous value to the Community Foundation board and I know she will help elevate the work of Capital Crossroads to the next level,” said Kristi Knous, president of the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines and fellow Capital Crossroads Chair.

“Teree’s background and community engagement over the last 30 plus years has made her the perfect addition to our leadership team,” added Jay Byers, Greater Des Moines Partnership CEO and fellow Capital Crossroads Chair. “She understands the needs of our community and isn’t afraid to ask the tough questions – the ones that will result in meaningful changes in Greater Des Moines moving forward.”

A native of Salina, Kansas, Teree has a B.A. in English from Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia and an M.P.A. from the University of Kansas. Caldwell-Johnson lives on the southside of Des Moines with her husband, Vernon C. Johnson, a retired non-profit executive. They have two adult children, Baley and Baxtyr.

Caldwell-Johnson joins the Capital Crossroads leadership team immediately.

About Capital Crossroads

Capital Crossroads is a bold but achievable vision pushing Central Iowans to dream big, not settle for good enough, think long term, and work together. Capital Crossroads brings together nearly 700 community volunteers to meet the challenges of the future while building on our past successes. It is in partnership with the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, the Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, the Greater Des Moines Partnership, Prairie Meadows, Catch Des Moines and the United Way of Central Iowa.

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