About Danny

Born in Grand Junction, Colorado, Danny moved to Cedar Falls at two months old with his parents Doug and Marcia Laudick (now Marcia Bunger) and his brother Brian.  Doug and Marcia were both long-time Deere employees, now retired, and came from big families in Great Bend, Kansas and New Hartford/Parkersburg, Iowa. They instilled in both kids an equal measure of hard work and commitment to your community - something that has always stuck with Danny. 

Danny grew up attending Cedar Falls Schools and doing the normal round of jobs at Fareway and Hy-Vee. He spent a lot of his summer hours at the Cedar Valley Soccer Complex, either playing, coaching, or helping his dad with the soccer complex maintenance & field setup. He later graduated from Cedar Falls High School and went on to attend UNI where he graduated with a degree in Business Economics.

Most of Danny’s career since then has revolved in some way around business and community development. He has worked in economic development through multiple roles and has founded several businesses and community initiatives in the Cedar Valley. He has served as Mayor since January of 2024, and he resides here in Cedar Falls with his wife Jesse and their two dogs, Cinnamon and Loki.

Often behind the scenes, here is some of the work Danny has helped lead over the last 10 years.

Note from Danny: None of this work could have been successful without the effort of far more people than just myself. It takes a village.

Business Experience

Danny has started several businesses in the Cedar Valley. He was a cofounder and long-time board member of the Cedar Valley Makers, a 501(c)(3) that operates the 5,000 sq.ft. industrial Makerspace in the Techworks Campus in downtown Waterloo and supports multiple youth programs to inspire kids to be creators, makers, and innovators.

He also cofounded Millrace Coworking in 2015 in downtown Cedar Falls. Millrace operated a shared office space for entrepreneurs, small businesses and freelancers which later expanded into the 2nd floor of 200 State Street above Urban Pie (now River Place Coworking). The community built around Millrace became the impetus to create Red Cedar in 2018, a public-private partnership with our region’s cities, colleges, and business leaders to support entrepreneurs & new business startups in the Cedar Valley. Danny continues to serve as the Executive Director for Red Cedar today.

Economic & Community Development

Before founding and serving as Executive Director for Red Cedar, Danny worked as the Director of Talent Development for Grow Cedar Valley. He worked with community, education, and business leaders to address quality of life and talent attraction, reducing barriers to employment, and supporting K-12 and higher education programs in the Cedar Valley.

He has led initiatives on placemaking, transportation issues, childcare, and diversity, equity and economic inclusion, and has supported business expansion and attraction efforts across both small businesses and large, multi-national corporations looking to grow in the Cedar Valley area.

Danny also served as the Senior Program Director of Economic Development at Grow Cedar Valley, Business & Community Development Manager for MidAmerican Energy Company, and he continues to serve as a volunteer on the Economic Development committee for Community Mainstreet in downtown Cedar Falls.

Entrepreneur & Small Business Support

As Executive Director at Red Cedar, Danny has helped lead multiple programs providing entrepreneurs and small business with access to training, mentors, funding, and a range of other supports since 2018.

Danny was also a cofounder of the Cedar Valley Strong initiative during COVID, helping to provide resources and support (and some love and encouragement) to local small businesses through the pandemic.

Most recently Red Cedar served as a founding partner and advisor for the Black Business & Entrepreneur Accelerator based in Waterloo. In partnership with 24/7 BLAC and UNI, Red Cedar helped to design and pay for the initial pilot of the program and raise over $600,000 in State and national grant funds to grow it. The program has gone on to support over 50 black business founders in the last three years.

Danny has also been a mentor and coach for business startups both locally and across the State, and he continues to mentor today as often as he can.

Arts & Culture

Danny has helped lead the creation of several public mural and community arts projects, including the E Mainstreet bridge underpass mural in Cedar falls and both the 4th St. Bridge Mural and the Steve Mager Memorial Mural in downtown Waterloo. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Youth Art Team in Waterloo.

What Others Say About Danny

  • "I have known Danny for more than 10 years and have worked closely with him for the past three. Danny's commitment to the betterment of the Cedar Valley is unparalleled. He doesn't just talk about doing impactful work within the community, he actually does it."

    ReShonda Young

  • "Danny's leadership experience and ability to bring people together to achieve common goals make him the ideal choice for mayor. I have no doubt he will work tirelessly to improve the quality of life for all Cedar Falls citizens and make our city a better place to live."

    Kristin Teig Torres

  • Danny Laudick will provide excellent leadership for our community as Mayor for Cedar Falls. Willingness to listen, the ability to collaborate, the humility to be curious, and vision for the future are all important characteristics of a Mayor or any elected official. Danny has strengths in all of these areas. I’m strongly supporting Danny Laudick for Mayor.

    Mike Mallaro

  • I have run into Danny on a number of occasions, and that is not coincidental. He's often in the rooms where difficult conversations are happening. He has no hesitations pulling up a chair to join you for coffee when he feels passionate about a project you're working on. He makes you feel welcome in spaces you might not otherwise feel welcome.

    Nilvia Reyes Rodriguez

  • "Danny is all about putting people first. Ever since I've known him, he's been a positive force in our community, and I have no doubt he'll obsessively put the people of Cedar Falls first whenever he has the opportunity to serve them."

    Scotty Russell

  • I have known Danny for many years, and he has always been a forward thinker and looks out for our community and its development. He knows how to lead by listening to those around him, guiding through example and making timely decisions. He will be great for Cedar Falls. We need him in the Mayor's office to move Cedar Falls to the next level.

    Lynette Sorensen

  • Danny and I have served on many committees together over the last decade. I appreciate his ability to listen, follow through, and stay committed over time to important goals. I look forward to seeing him putting these qualities to work for the City of Cedar Falls and its citizens.

    Stacy Van Gorp

  • Cedar Falls has wonderful attributes that have been wisely established in the past as a result of progressive, forward-thinking leaders. Danny is the kind of thoughtful, energetic leader who will continue this great tradition of forward-thinking leadership needed to position our City for the next decades. That is why I am supporting Danny Laudick for Mayor.

    Roger White