The Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission is honoring a longtime leader who helped shape the region for decades.
SEIRPC has officially named its board meeting room after former board chair Brent Schleisman, who passed away suddenly in December of 2025. Schleisman served as board chair from 2007 to 2025—the longest tenure in the organization’s 53-year history.
In addition to his regional leadership, Schleisman spent 32 years serving as Mount Pleasant’s City Administrator.
During his time with SEIRPC, Schleisman played a key role in expanding the organization’s impact across Southeast Iowa. His efforts included helping establish two revolving loan fund pools, launching the Great River Housing Trust Fund and Southeast Iowa Housing, Incorporated, and securing permanent office space for SEIRPC, along with dedicated parking for SEIBUS.
SEIRPC Executive Director Mike Norris says Schleisman’s leadership left a lasting mark.
“For a generation, Brent was a local and regional leader,” Norris said. “His imagination and ability to partner led to many impactful projects. Naming the board room after him will remind us of what productive, long-term service looks like.”
SEIRPC is one of 17 Councils of Governments in Iowa and has secured more than 320 million dollars in outside funding for the region since its founding in 1973.