Bret Mills, who two Democratic governors have leaned on to guide economic development efforts and  deal with the complex financing that spurs some projects, will go to work Jan. 17 as a vice president with Conlin Properties Inc.

All told, Mills will have spent 22 years in state government when he leaves his job as director of the Iowa Department of Economic Development (IDED) and shares leadership roles at the Greater Des Moines property development and management company headed by Jim Conlin.

Conlin said his company typically operates under two vice presidents. People currently holding those titles plan to pursue master’s degrees. “It was on their bucket lists,” Conlin said.

Mills will share responsibilities with Ted Witt, who will leave Midwest Housing Equity Group Inc. of Omaha, where he most recently served as chief operating officer and director of asset management. The company specializes in tax credit syndication.

Mills was appointed in January 2010 to head the IDED while it was embroiled in controversy over the allotment of tax credits to the film industry. He is the former director of the Iowa Finance Authority.

Gov. Terry Brandstad named Debi Durham of Sioux City to lead the IDED.