Randy Pilkington, executive director of the University of Northern Iowa Business and Community Services, is the 2024 recipient of the Cedar Valley Legacy Award from Grow Cedar Valley, formerly known as the Greater Cedar Valley Alliance and Chamber. Pilkington received the award at a ceremony on March 28 for his leadership and contributions to the Cedar Valley through his work with business expansion and community growth. His work spans all Iowa counties and projects in more than 800 communities statewide, a UNI spokesperson said in a statement. He has previously served as the president of Professional Developers of Iowa and on the Iowa Department of Economic Development Board of Directors. He currently serves on the Iowa Business Council Business Education Alliance, Iowa Innovation Council, Cedar Valley TechWorks, the Iowa Advanced Manufacturing Work Group and is co-chair of the UNI Research Foundation. “Randy’s leadership and support of the Cedar Valley’s economic development efforts have had a tremendous impact,” said Leslie Wilson, dean of the David W. Wilson College of Business, in a prepared statement. “For nearly four decades, he has been actively engaged in helping businesses, organizations and individual entrepreneurs grow and thrive in our community.”