Visit Quad Cities Announces Jennifer Sautter as Board Chair and Welcomes 4 New Members

Quad Cities, IL/IA (July 8, 2025) - Visit Quad Cities has announced the appointment of Jennifer Sautter as Chair of its Board of Directors and the addition of four new members for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.

The Visit Quad Cities Board of Directors comprises diverse community leaders representing various businesses, organizations, attractions and city governments. This group of dedicated Quad Citizens works to support our region’s tourism industry, economic growth, and quality of life while providing oversight and strategic direction for Visit Quad Cities.

Jennifer Sautter, who has served on the Visit Quad Cities Board since 2016, brings a strong background in marketing. She currently serves as Traffic and Production Planner at MindFire Communications, where she has worked since 2016. Her prior roles include Vice President of Marketing at Heart of America Group and marketing leadership at Von Maur.

“It’s an honor to serve as the Board Chair for Visit Quad Cities,” said Sautter. “I look forward to working alongside my fellow Board members to build on the strong momentum of the organization and help advance our mission of positioning the Quad Cities as a must-experience riverfront destination.”
Joining the Board of Directors this year are:

• Mayor Ashley Harris, City of Rock Island
• Tasha Keegan, TBK Bank
• Mallory Merritt, Estes Construction
• Shawn Morrow, UnityPoint Health

“Jennifer has served the Quad Cities in so many positive ways and we are proud to have her lead our Board of Directors,” said Dave Herrell, President and CEO, Visit Quad Cities. “Her leadership has been instrumental throughout her tenure on the Board. Always engaged and with a strong marketing and financial background, she continues to demonstrate a passion for tourism and our industry. We’re also deeply grateful to our Immediate Past Chair, Maria Ontiveros for her commitment and service to the organization and our region. We have some incredible opportunities ahead of our destination and I am energized and humbled by our Board’s leadership and their eye toward the future.”

Visit Quad Cities Executive Committee and Officers 
Jennifer Sautter, Chair
Maria Ontiveros, Immediate Past Chair 
Neil Dahlstrom, First Vice-Chair 
Ali Wright, Second Vice-Chair 
Mo Hyder, Treasurer 
Dave Herrell, Secretary 

Visit Quad Cities Board of Directors 
Nancy Ballenger, Isle Casino Hotel Bettendorf & Caesar’s Entertainment 
Neil Dahlstrom, John Deere 
Mayor Reggie Freeman, City of East Moline 
Mayor Bob Gallagher, City of Bettendorf 
Steve Geifman, Geifman First Equity 
Todd Hajduk, TPC Deere Run 
Travis Hankins, Bally’s 
Mayor Ashley Harris, City of Rock Island 
Dave Herrell, Visit Quad Cities; Ex-Officio 
Mo Hyder, Rhythm City Casino Resort 
Tasha Keegan, TBK Bank 
Ben Leischner, Quad Cities International Airport 
Mayor Mike Matson, City of Davenport 
John Maxwell, Scott County, Iowa 
Lee Meier, CAT Scale Company / Iowa 80 Group 
Mallory Merritt, Estes Construction 
Shawn Morrow, UnityPoint Health 
Maria Ontiveros, Mercado on Fifth & Group O 
Mayor Sangeetha Rayapati, City of Moline 
Jennifer Sautter, MindFire Communications 
Kai Swanson, Rock Island County, Illinois & Augustana College 
Ali Wright, Wright Law Offices, P.C.

Finance, Audit & Compliance Committee
Travis Hankins, Committee Chair

Board Development & Governance Committee
Ali Wright, Committee Chair

About Visit Quad Cities
Visit Quad Cities, established in 1990, is the region’s official destination marketing organization (DMO). Through tourism, Visit Quad Cities generates economic growth, fosters the visitor economy, and elevates the regional destination's global presence. An accredited DMO through Destinations International’s DMAP program, Visit Quad Cities promotes the regional brand, drives economic opportunities, invigorates visitor experience, and enhances quality of life and place for all Quad Citizens. For information, visit visitquadcities.com.