About Us
Smart Solutions Group is a consulting firm specializing in the business of economic development. We are based in West Des Moines, Iowa, with an office in Warsaw, Missouri. and Iowa City, Iowa. Our firm has a proven track record in helping over 300 economic development organizations organize, focus, innovate and implement to succeed in the business. We offer the following distinct qualifications:
- Economic Development Experience and Knowledge: Our team of economic development practitioners and business managers has over 60 years
Smart Solutions Group offers its clients a highly qualified and experienced team of economic development practitioners and place branding and marketing specialists —we’re economic development street smart.
of combined work experience at the local, state, national and international levels. We understand the site selection process as well as how to effectively brand, market and sell places. We apply years of lessons learned and proven best practices and techniques to our consulting work.
- Business and Marketing Strategists: Our planning process sets mutually agreeable goals, objectives and measurable outcomes that define the milestones and the success destination. We design strategies focused on reaching the destination efficiently and effectively.
- Outstanding Customer Service: We strive to build lasting relationships with our clients which takes dedication to service as well as a great product. Our clients can be assured we will be responsive to their needs and strive to exceed expectations.
Our Team
Principals
Bob Henningsen served for over 15 years as the business development and marketing director for the State of Iowa Department of Economic Development. He managed the state’s business development site selection/expansion services, financial assistance, entrepreneurial programs and marketing. During his tenure, he worked literally thousands of site location and expansion projects resulting in billions of dollars of capital investment.
Irv Jensen has 30 years of marketing and communications experience. He is the former president of CMF&Z Advertising and Public Relations in Des Moines, Iowa. Irv’s expertise includes research, direct marketing, advertising, public relations and Internet strategies. Over his career, he has worked with hundreds of businesses and organizations to provide assistance with branding, marketing planning and implementation, communications program development and general business consultation.
Clark Smith has over 20 years of economic development experience. Clark began his economic development career as executive director of the Hampton Area Chamber and Development Corporation. He then joined the Iowa Department of Economic Development working as a community consultant and manager of existing industry. Most recently, Clark was the director of economic development for Aquila, Inc.-Iowa. He has worked with hundreds of companies providing site selection/expansion assistance. Clark has been President of the Professional Developers of Iowa and the Community Development Society of Iowa. Clark also manages non-profit trade associations and sells LocationOne Information System. Clark and his wife Lauren also own and operate Butler House on Grand Bed and Breakfast.
Associates
Ed Andrews has joined the Smart Solutions Group as a consulting associate. For the past seven years Ed has been employed by ACT, and has provided workforce skills assessment and training solutions to employers, regions, and states. Most recently he has been responsible for using ACT’s WorkKeys and National Career Readiness Certificate systems to assess worker skills for economic and workforce developers. Prior to joining ACT, he was responsible for the management of The Siouxland Initiative, a regional economic development organization that includes parts of Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota. He has nine years of consulting experience, and has held marketing, strategic planning, and finance positions with Standard Oil, Dictaphone, General Foods, and Wells Fargo. Ed was responsible for six site location projects for his former clients and employers. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Professional Developers of Iowa, and has received awards from International Economic Development Council, C2ER, MidAmerican Economic Development Council, American Advertising Federation, and the State of Iowa.
Amy White Amy assists the team with research. Amy worked in California at a public relations firm analyzing media coverage for clients. Amy also brings a strong knowledge of the LocationOne Information System and economic development from her years at Aquila. Amy is a graduate of University of Northern Iowa with a degree in Marketing.
Specialized Expertise
We have developed an extensive network of experts in manufacturing, information technology, bioenergy, logistics, entrepreneurial development and engineering as well as graphic designers and web developers to assist in delivering a comprehensive line of economic development services and products. We have developed a close working relationship with a graphic design firm, Cooper Smith and Company. We feel they are the most responsive and creative firm we have had the pleasure with which to work.
Professional Memberships and Affiliations
Smart Solutions Group is a member of and actively participates in the following professional organizations: