Nick Valdez has doused fires and helped with the master planning of a historic neighborhood. These days, he is busy preparing to help Drake University shepherd a development project along University Avenue. To say his background is diverse is classic understatement. He has been a health screener, a substance abuse educator and a public safety officer. In May, he was named Drake’s neighborhood and community relations manager. In that role, he will review proposals for development of a nearly 3-acre area between 25th and 27th streets along University for what is being called a “transformative development” for the neighborhood. Neighborhood Development Corp. is collaborating on the project.

You’re in a newly created position. Can you give us an idea of what the job will involve?
I am out in the community collaborating with current and emerging partners to develop strategies to foster shared opportunities for economic development in the Drake Neighborhood. As the point of contact to the Drake Neighborhood, I create opportunities for engagement in campus life and collaboration on issues or concerns of businesses, institutions and residents. You’ll see me at the Drake Neighborhood Association meetings, council meetings, business association meetings and other community-supportive meetings.  

Can you draw a comparison of what you did in Valley Junction with what you will do at Drake?
As a member of the Valley Junction Residential Association, I studied the area to identify neighborhood indicators and assets to be illustrated in reports to better inform the other members. During my membership on the Community Education Advisory Council, I collaborated with different working groups to help guide the development of the Community Needs Assessment for the West Des Moines Community School District. On the steering committee for the Historic West Des Moines master plan, I contributed to the development of the drafting process. I will continue to conduct the same research, planning and engagement efforts to help Drake University strengthen its connections with the community and be strategic in its decision-making.      

You have a special connection with Valley Junction. Please tell us a little bit about that.
My great grandparents migrated from Mexico to Valley Junction in the early 1900s to work on the railroad and raise a family. In 2007 I bought the Valley Junction home where my father was born to improve the quality through renovations.  

What are the various jobs you have held?
Health screener for Principal Financial Group Inc., substance abuse prevention educator at Employee & Family Resources, volunteer firefighter/EMT at the city of West Des Moines and public safety officer for Drake.

From those jobs, can you identify one significant lesson that you have applied to your other work?
Let people know they’re heard. Acknowledging someone’s opinion or thoughts is motivating, empowering and leads to the collaboration needed for collective outcomes.

Are you a person of set routines?
In the morning, yes. The rest of the day depends on if there are changes in deadlines, new projects or someone that needs to discuss something of high importance. 

How far along are you in the visioning process for the Drake development property along University?
We look forward to receiving and reviewing proposals for development with the input from members of a special committee of campus administrators, faculty, staff, trustees, a local business owner and neighborhood residents. 

What other needs do you see for the Drake neighborhood?
The university has set expectations that proposed development must align with the neighborhood’s plan, be beneficial to Drake students and neighborhood residents, and contribute to the economic growth of the area. Identifying some of the neighborhood indicators or characteristics that were outlined in the 2011 Drake Neighborhood Plan will help guide direction towards … more concrete data.       

What do you do when your workday ends?
I like to hit the local trails on my new hybrid bicycle. I also like to golf, bowl, fish and sample live bands in Des Moines to spread the word on new talent.