Visit Quad Cities Announces FY2026-2027 Board of Directors
July 09, 2026
Quad Cities, IL/IA (July 9, 2026) - Visit Quad Cities has announced their FY2026-2027 Board of Directors. Neil Dahlstrom will serve as Board Chair, succeeding Jennifer Sautter. Dahlstrom has served on the Board since 2022. He currently leads Heritage Marketing for John Deere and is Deere’s official archivist, serving the company for over twenty-five years.
“I am thrilled to lead this organization as it continues to make a positive impact on the Quad Cities,” said Neil Dahlstrom, Board Chair, Visit Quad Cities. “Tourism is an economic development engine and drives our unique story. It’s a privilege to work alongside my fellow Board members leveraging our momentum and serving our purpose-led mission.”
Visit Quad Cities also added the following new board members: Steve Frommelt, Black Hawk College; Melissa Mohr, Figge Art Museum; and Todd Peterson, Rhythm City Casino Resort.
“The strength of Visit Quad Cities comes from the dedicated and aligned leaders who volunteer their time and expertise to serve our region,” said Dave Herrell, President and CEO, Visit Quad Cities. “Our Board members generously share their leadership and provide strategic guidance to help move our destination forward. We are incredibly grateful for Jennifer Sautter's leadership during her term as Board Chair, and we look forward to Neil Dahlstrom taking the helm.”
The Visit Quad Cities Board of Directors is comprised of leaders representing the private and public sectors from across the bi-state region. Together, these individuals provide strategic oversight, governance, and guidance as Visit Quad Cities continues their work to grow the visitor economy, boost tourism, improve residents’ quality of life, and elevate the Quad Cities globally as a premier destination to visit, live, and experience.
Visit Quad Cities Executive Committee and Officers
Neil Dahlstrom, Chair
Ali Wright, First Vice-Chair
Travis Hankins, Second Vice-Chair
Jennifer Sautter, Immediate Past Chair
Nancy Ballenger, Treasurer
Dave Herrell, Secretary
Visit Quad Cities Board of Directors
Nancy Ballenger, Isle Casino Hotel Bettendorf & Caesar’s Entertainment
Neil Dahlstrom, John Deere
Mayor Reggie Freeman, City of East Moline
Steve Frommelt, Black Hawk College
Mayor Bob Gallagher, City of Bettendorf
Steve Geifman, Geifman Group
Mayor Jason Gordon, City of Davenport
Travis Hankins, Bally’s
Mayor Ashley Harris, City of Rock Island
Dave Herrell, Visit Quad Cities; Ex-Officio
Tasha Keegan, TBK Bank
Ben Leischner, Quad Cities International Airport
John Maxwell, Scott County, Iowa
Lee Meier, CAT Scale Company / Iowa 80 Group
Mallory Merritt, Estes Construction
Melissa Mohr, Figge Art Museum
Todd Peterson, Rhythm City Casino Resort
Mayor Sangeetha Rayapati, City of Moline
Jennifer Sautter, MindFire Communications
Kai Swanson, Rock Island County, Illinois & Augustana College
Ali Wright, Wright Law Offices, P.C.
Main Media Contact
Kayla Morath
PR, Communications, and Content Coordinator
Visit Quad Cities
[email protected] | Direct: 309.736.6827 | Cell: 309.391.4607
About Visit Quad Cities
Founded in 1990, Visit Quad Cities is the region’s official destination marketing organization (DMO). Visit Quad Cities is a private 501(c)(6) non-profit engine that drives economic opportunity through tourism, builds our authentic brand, shares and sells the Quad Cities story, and enhances Quad Citizens’ quality of life and place. Accredited through Destinations International's Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP), Visit Quad Cities is recognized globally for operating at the highest level of industry standard.