Borton

The Marshalltown Arts & Civic Center Foundation announces the appointment of Deb Borton as the organization’s first chief operating officer. This newly established role marks a significant milestone in the MACC Foundation’s mission to strengthen its day-to-day leadership, long-term sustainability and service to the Marshalltown community.

A familiar and respected leader within the organization, Borton transitions into this role from her previous position as program manager for the Martha-Ellen Tye Foundation. During her tenure, she distinguished herself as a forward-thinking leader, successfully strengthening internal systems, partnerships and programs through a highly collaborative approach.

As COO, Borton will serve as a key member of the MACC Foundation’s executive leadership team, providing high-level oversight of the MACC Campus. Her responsibilities will include long-term strategic planning, financial oversight and the development of 21st-century systems to ensure the facility’s sustainability and safety.

“Deb brings a rare combination of technical expertise, operational depth and a genuine commitment to service,” said Heidi Dalal, executive director of the Martha-Ellen Tye Foundation. “Her ability to translate complex operational needs into actionable strategies will elevate the MACC Foundation’s impact and help position the organization for long-term success.”

Borton’s leadership will focus on several core pillars of the MACC Foundation’s mission:

• Organizational Leadership: Implementing data-driven systems to improve efficiency and resilience while serving as the primary internal point of coordination for staff.

• Strategic Growth: Developing long-range plans to increase public access and deepen the MACC’s impact as a cultural hub for the Marshalltown community.

• Facility Stewardship: Overseeing campus maintenance, security and the critical technology infrastructure required for a modern civic space.

• Relationship Building: Serving as a highly visible ambassador to build and steward relationships with tenants, stakeholders and community partners.

Borton’s background aligns seamlessly with the rigorous demands of the role. Her proven track record in managing complex operations and her “customer-first” orientation ensure the visitor experience at the MACC remains welcoming, professional and memorable.

“I am thrilled to take on this new challenge at a time of such incredible potential for the Marshalltown Arts & Civic Center Foundation,” said Borton. “Transitioning into this inaugural role feels like a natural evolution of my commitment to Marshalltown. My priority is to bring an innovative, twenty-first-century perspective to our operations, building the sustainable systems and data-driven policies necessary to fuel our long-term growth. We aren’t just maintaining a building; we are cultivating a dynamic cultural hub. I look forward to working with our partners to expand public access, deepen our community impact and ensure the MACC campus evolves as a resilient, vibrant asset for the entire Marshalltown region.”

“This is an exciting moment for the MACC Foundation,” said Nick O’Toole, chair of the MACC Foundation Board. “Deb’s leadership brings clarity, structure and momentum at a time when the organization is poised for growth. The Board fully supports her as she steps into this role and looks forward to the continued advancement of the MACC as a cornerstone of the Marshalltown community.”

In addition to her strategic duties, Borton will provide direct supervision to the events staff, administrative staff and facility personnel, ensuring a positive and accountable work culture.