Central College has promoted Iwan Williams to the newly created role of executive director of retail management. In this leadership position, Williams will oversee efforts to enhance and expand the college’s auxiliary enterprises, with a strategic focus on increasing revenue, strengthening community engagement, and enriching the student experience.

Williams will develop a comprehensive growth plan to optimize retail revenue and services across multiple campus entities, including dining services (Central Market, Fred’s, and the Geisler Cafe), event services and catering, the Spirit Shoppe, and Pella Cinemas. Additional initiatives include reimagining a specialty retail outlet, expanding merchandising opportunities for Forever Dutch branded items, and integrating the college’s internal currency for broader on- and off-campus use. The retail management team will also explore ways to increase summer revenue by utilizing campus facilities for student housing, summer interns, conferences, events, and camps. Williams first joined Central in 1999 as an international exchange student and has remained a part of the institution’s success, most recently as director of dining services.

The new retail management model aims to improve efficiency through optimized staffing, cross-training, space utilization and resource management. Under Williams’ leadership, team members will collaborate across traditional roles, fostering a culture of innovation and excellence in service.

With the transition, Jenna Youngblut has been promoted to director of dining services. She has been with Central for 17 years, as a driving force shaping the college’s dining services, managing daily operations, and leading social events. Youngblut consults with students who have special dietary concerns and reviews menus to ensure they have access to healthy, nutritious meals that are balanced and varied to accommodate student preferences.