Bassman named Main Street director

The Newton Main Street Board of Directors and the Greater Newton Area Chamber of Commerce have announced Andrew J. Bassman will be the first Main Street director for Newton.

Bassman received a bachelor’s degree in journalism along with an master’s in science degree in urban and regional planning from the University of Iowa in Iowa City. His education gave him a broad base of experience, including being a team member of the Iowa Initiative for Sustainable Communities and interning with the Planning and Community Development Department in Iowa City.

Bassman and his wife currently live in Des Moines, where he grew up. He describes himself as a “huge baseball fan” and a die-hard Chicago Cubs fan. He currently works as a planning technician for the city of Pleasant Hill and also has worked as a digital content producer for the Des Moines Register. Bassman will begin his responsibilities with Newton Main Street on May 19 and looks forward to “getting to know Newton” and providing leadership to the program.

Bassman spoke at the Greater Newton Area Chamber of Commerce breakfast this morning at Iowa Speedway.