Kelly Hayworth
When Kelly Hayworth was hired as Coralville’s city administrator in 1988, he never intended for it to be a permanent gig.
“I really didn’t intend to stay here that long,” he said.
Hayworth, however, changed his mind and has been with the city for nearly 22 years. During that time, Hayworth has been a part of what he calls “some great improvements in the community.” With population increasing from 7,000 to 18,000 during his tenure, Coralville has added a trails system, the Coral Ridge Mall, the Marriott Hotel and Conference Center and is poised for more growth.
Growing up in Des Moines, Hayworth said a career in government wasn’t what he had in mind. He was interested in politics, but went into business at the University of Iowa, earning his undergraduate degree in 1983 and Masters in Business in 1985. After spending three years as the finance director for the city of Creston, Hayworth took the job in Coralville.
Hayworth said he was impressed by Coralville’s then recently completed fire station, library and recreation center and their plans for the future. Hayworth said a city council aggressive about continually improving the city meant his job was always changing.
There certainly have been some challenges along the way. Coralville flooded 1993 and again in 2008, but Hayworth can still see the positives in those situations.
“It taught me what a great community we have,” he said, referring to the thousands of volunteers who turned out to help. “It just shows what a special place we have.”
Hayworth said the floods also taught him not to take anything for granted and to always be prepared.
When he’s not responding to his responsibilities with the city, Hayworth enjoys cycling and rooting for his alma mater’s sports teams. He’s ridden RAGBRAI every year for the past 14 years.
At 49 and with no imminent plans for retirement, the city of Coralville can look forward to several more years of Hayworth’s services.
“I think we’re going to continue to grow in the services that we offer our citizens,” Hayworth said. “That will continue to be a big part of what we do. We want to be the best small community we can be.”