New executive director set to come on board

The ISEA Executive Board has named Mary Jane Cobb as the Association's  next executive director.

A familiar face to many members in Iowa, Cobb has been an NEA Campaigns and Elections field representative for the past eight years. Prior to joining the NEA staff, Cobb served as a UniServ Director with the Alabama Education Association. She will assume her new position on September 1 when Jan Reinicke retires after 28 years of service -- the past 10 as executive director.

"I am very excited to have the opportunity to come to work with the ISEA," Cobb said. "The organization has such a proud history and tradition, and I am honored to be a part of its future. Jan Reinicke has served the ISEA with such distinction and commitment for many years. I am proud to have the opportunity to build on the strong foundation she helped build," Cobb added.

Cobb brings to Iowa a deep understanding of the issues facing educators and public education as well as extensive experience in membership organizing and political action.

She began her career as director of Patient and Community Relations at Mizell Memorial Hospital in Opp, Alabama, and later went on to become the director of cooperative education at the Douglas MacArthur State Technical College, also in Opp. In addition, she was a small business owner and community activist.

Cobb received her bachelor's degree in government from Campbell University in Buies Creek, North Carolina, and her master's degree in public administration from Auburn University at Montgomery, Alabama. She also attended the Women's Campaign School at Yale University, and she received a Certificate of Organizational Development from the National Training Lab in Bethel, Maine.