Rick Sanders was named President of the Iowa State University Research Park in May 2019 after a nationwide search. He is responsible for all aspects of the development and operation of the ISU Research Park that today includes 400 acres; 800,000 square feet of finished commercial space; hosts more than 90 companies from startups to Fortune 500 companies; and is home to more than 2,000 employees.Sanders has an extensive professional background that includes stints in local government, association management, business development and higher education.Rick and his wife Calli have lived in Ames since 2003 after stops in Alabama, Montana and Maine. They are the proud parents of 3 adult children. Together, they enjoy traveling, hiking, ISU sporting events and quiet time on the deck.Sanders brings extensive experience in community and economic development, strategic planning and implementation, creation of connections, relationship building and visioning. From higher education, to private business, to large association management, Sanders multifaceted background allows him to find solutions and opportunities where others see weaknesses and threats.Sanders serves and has served on numerous Local Boards and National Committees including the Story County Emergency Management Commission, Central Iowa Workforce Development Board, Ames Economic Development Commission, Story County Board of Health, Aging Resources of Central Iowa, Lincoln Way Red Cross, Story County Crime Stoppers and Story Theater Company. He was selected by his peers as Chair of the prestigious Conference Commissioners Association which grew tremendously during his tenure. He is known as an “outside the box” thinker and achiever.Sanders is a graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) where he served as a student assistant basketball coach to legendary coach Gene Bartow and his UAB Blazers. Rick and his wife Calli, who is Senior Associate Athletics Director at ISU, reside in Ames. They have three children, Theisen (ISU ‘13), Jack (ISU ‘17) and Molly (United States Naval Academy ’19).