AMES, Iowa -- Jim Heckmann, principal of James M. Heckmann Law Offices of Dubuque, and president of the consulting firm Aligned Resources, LC, has been named the new state director of the Iowa Small Business Development Centers (ISBDC).
Since 2006, Heckmann had served as president of the Dubuque-based media and software development company Community, Inc. From 1997-2003, he was president and treasurer of the Dubuque Racing Association. He also was a member of the Dubuque City Council from 1988-90, serving as mayor pro-tem in 1989.
"The director's job is an exciting opportunity to have a positive impact on the future of Iowa business and on the vitality of the state," said Heckmann. "The ISBDC is a first-rate organization. I'm looking forward to working with, and learning from, all the great people associated with this organization."
Heckmann is experienced in counseling corporate clients in the areas of risk management, transactional law, antitrust, employment and labor law, business organization and planning. He negotiated or directed strategy for 15 collective bargaining agreements, and also negotiated a $1.4 million government assistance program for expansion of client operations. He was involved in several multi-million dollar commercial transactions, including various mergers and acquisitions.
As an attorney, he supervised and litigated cases in areas of intellectual property, securities fraud, employment law and commercial transactions.
"Jim has extensive experience in corporate law and business operations and we are pleased to have him on board," said Labh Hira, dean of ISU's College of Business. "This is an exciting time for the ISBDC with the state looking to strengthen its commitment to economic development, so Jim arrives at a good time -- particularly given his background working with businesses."
Heckmann earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Claremont McKenna (Calif.) College,
his Master of Fine Arts degree from The Writers' Workshop at the University of Iowa, and his Juris Doctor from the University of Iowa.
Since 1981, the Iowa Small Business Development Centers have provided expert and confidential business counseling services and training workshops to entrepreneurs in all 99 Iowa counties. As an outreach program for Iowa State University's College of Business, and the only nationally accredited entrepreneurial development program in Iowa, the ISBDC can help existing business owners and entrepreneurs with the assistance and resources they need.
