Central College has promoted Iwan Williams to the newly created role of executive director of retail management. In this leadership position, Williams will oversee efforts to enhance and expand the college’s auxiliary enterprises, with a strategic focus on increasing revenue, strengthening community engagement and enriching the student experience.
Williams will develop a comprehensive growth plan to optimize retail revenue and services across multiple campus entities, including dining services (Central Market, Fred’s, and the Geisler Café), event services and catering, the Spirit Shoppe and Pella Cinemas. Additional initiatives include reimagining a specialty retail outlet, expanding merchandising opportunities for Forever Dutch® branded items and integrating the college’s internal currency for broader on- and off-campus use. The retail management team will also explore ways to increase summer revenue by utilizing campus facilities for student housing, summer interns, conferences, events and camps.
“This new approach aligns with our Imagine More: It’s Central to Pella strategy,” says Central President Mark Putnam. “Iwan’s leadership and deep connection to Central make him the ideal choice to spearhead this initiative as we work to maximize effectiveness and efficiency in our operations while ensuring guests have the best Central experiences.”
Williams first joined Central in 1999 as an international exchange student and has remained an integral part of the institution’s success, most recently as director of dining services.
The new retail management model aims to improve efficiency through optimized staffing, cross-training, space utilization and resource management. Under Williams’ leadership, team members will collaborate across traditional roles, fostering a culture of innovation and excellence in service.
New Director of Dining Services
With this transition, Jenna Youngblut has been promoted to director of dining services. She has been with Central for 17 years, as a driving force shaping the college’s dining services, managing daily operations and leading social events.
“In her new role, Jenna will continue to inspire innovation and creativity as we move through this transition,” Williams says. “I’m so proud of her successes and all that she has accomplished. She will continue to lead with care, inspiration and attention to details that have defined her work for the past 17 years.”
Youngblut consults with students who have special dietary concerns, reviewing menus to ensure they have access to healthy, nutritious meals that are balanced and varied to accommodate student preferences.
