Simpson College has successfully appointed Mr. Bret Mills as Vice President for Business and Finance. Mr. Mills currently serves as President of Conlin Properties Inc. in Des Moines, IA. As President, Mills oversaw the accounting, finance, and development activities for the company’s property management and real estate development consisting of 5000 units (affordable and market rate multifamily units and homeownership associations (HOAs)). Mills also worked with state and local officials, syndicators, lenders, auditors, attorneys, appraisers, and professionals in the building trades in the execution of applications and documentation for the equity and debt required to build, rehabilitate, or refinance multifamily properties. Prior to his work at Conlin Properties, Mills served as Director for the Iowa Department of Economic Development (IDED). He was appointed by Governor Culver to lead the state's economic development efforts by building relationships and partnering with state agencies, local governments, industry associations, economic development organizations, businesses, and community stakeholders to promote collaboration and investment in Iowa. Mills oversaw the IDED budget, ensuring strategic use of resources, and the allocation of state and federal grants and incentives. Mr. Mills holds a Bachelor of General Studies in Communications, Journalism, and Business from the University of Iowa as well as a BS in Accounting and an MBA from Drake University. Mills is a Certified Public Accountant, a Housing Credit Compliance Professional, as well as a Housing Finance Development Professional. Read more.