Roger C. Underwood, Co-Founder Becker-Underwood

An Atlantic High School Graduate and co-founder of the world’s leading supplier of non-pesticide specialty chemical and biological products has been appointed to a State panel tasked with helping to steer Iowa’s economic development strategy. Roger Underwood, was among the 18 names announced today (Monday) by Governor Terry Branstad. Underwood will serve on the Iowa Partnership for Economic Progress (IPEP)Board, which Branstad says will be central to his approach to economic development, which gives businesses a strengthened hand.

The governor last week signed an executive order creating the Iowa Partnership for Economic Progress board of directors. Branstad also named the members of the Iowa Innovation Corporation board, which will head a nonprofit corporation funded by the private sector and federal grants that will seek to develop new technologies.

Both panels have been told to shape new approaches to economic development.