FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Friday, Dec. 14, 2018

Business Publications Corporation has named Suzanna de Baca as the company’s new president and group publisher as a continuation and enhancement of the company’s multiyear succession plan. The move is effective Jan. 7, 2019.

De Baca will replace current BPC President Janette Larkin, who announced in 2017 she would be retiring in 2019. Larkin will retire at the end of March. 

In the role, de Baca will use her strong financial background and 20-plus years of experience in senior leadership at public, privately held and nonprofit organizations to provide strategic, financial and organizational leadership in order to continue BPC’s growth trajectory and rich history of filling needs in the community. The company produces a variety of niche publications, and its flagship brands ? the Business Record, dsm magazine, and WriteBrain, were launched in 1983, 2003 and 2017, respectively.

De Baca, who holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Iowa State University and an MBA from Harvard University School of Business Administration, most recently served four years as CEO of Planned Parenthood of the Heartland. Prior to that role, de Baca held executive leadership roles at several nationally recognized financial services and wealth management firms, including Ameriprise Financial, Bank of America Private Bank, Morgan Stanley’s Private Asset Management division, and Weiss, Peck & Greer Investments.

“With this move, I am making a continued investment in yet another outstanding individual who I expect will help our company and our team members continue to grow,” said Connie Wimer, BPC owner and chairman. “Suzanna is an Iowa native, has planted roots in Huxley, and it was her desire to pour her efforts into a company that makes a difference in the community that gives me confidence that she will make a great addition to an already strong team.”

De Baca is recognized in the media as an industry expert in leadership, finance and health care. She has published articles and been interviewed frequently on these topics at a wide variety of outlets, including the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, MSNBC, Time.com, Huffington Post, the Des Moines Register, Good Housekeeping and the Business Record, among others.

“I’m excited to be joining such a well-respected organization that provides essential coverage of Iowa’s business and philanthropic communities,” de Baca said. “I hope my business experience in both the corporate and nonprofit sectors will enable me to continue the impressive growth and outstanding quality of Business Publications Corporation. As a native Iowan, I’m especially proud to be part of such an exceptional team covering news, leadership and social issues that shape our state and region.” 

Larkin, who joined Business Publications in 2001, helped spur the organization’s growth, expanded its product lines, launched new events and guided the company’s transformation in an evolving media landscape. Larkin will work closely with de Baca during the coming months to oversee a smooth transition before to her retirement in March.

“Janette has done such an admirable job of leading the company to continued growth and profitability,” Wimer said. “Her tenacity and business acumen will be greatly missed, but her hard work and leadership have helped position us for an exciting future.”

About Business Publications Corporation: 

Business Publications, Central Iowa’s largest publisher of niche products, was established in 1983 by Connie Wimer. The company’s flagship brands ? the Business Record, dsm magazine and WriteBrain ? were launched in 1983, 2003 and 2017, respectively. These award-winning brands reach Greater Des Moines’ two most influential audiences ? the top area business owners and decision-makers and the highest-demographic consumers with luxury lifestyles. Business Publications and its individual brands also produce niche and custom content products throughout Central Iowa, including the CVB’s official Visitors Guide, Catch Des Moines; economic development guides for area communities and chambers of commerce; the Book of Lists; the Business Record Daily; LiftIOWA; ia magazine; INclusion diversity guide; Annual Real Estate Magazine; innovationIOWA magazine; and more. Learn more at www.businessrecord.com.

Media Contact:
Chris Conetzkey – Business Record Publisher
chrisconetzkey@bpcdm.com
515-661-6081