Achievements

  • 1950s

    Elaine (Graham) Estes, BN’53, Des Moines, IA, was named one of the 10 Iowans of the Day at the 2024 Iowa State Fair.

  • 1960s

    Lyle L. Simpson, LA’60, JD’63, Des Moines, IA, published the 4th edition of his book, Fully Human/Fully Alive.

  • Frank M. Vaia, JO’67, Des Moines, IA, was honored as a 2024 “Friend of Literacy” recipient at the 2024 Iowa Author Awards by the Des Moines Public Library Foundation.

  • 1970s

    John D. Lloyd, LA’71, JD’74, Clive, IA, was recognized by the Iowa State Bar Association (ISBA) for 50 years of service in law.

  • Gary G. Kimes, JD’74, Osceola, IA, was recognized by the Iowa State Bar Association (ISBA) for 50 years of service in law.
  • Randy R. Peterson, JO’74, Pleasant Hill, IA, retired from the Des Moines Register after a 52-year career as a sportswriter and had the Iowa Cubs stadium’s press box named after him at Principal Park in honor of the decades of coverage he’s provided to central Iowa sports.
  • Gerard D. Neugent, JD’75, Des Moines, IA, was announced as one of seven listed in DSM Magazine’s 2024 Sages Over 70.
  • Bobbretta M. (Williams) Brewton, MSE’75, EdS’78, EdD’81, Des Moines, IA, was announced as one of seven listed in DSM Magazine’s 2024 Sages Over 70.

  • 1980s

    Ron J. Snow, PH’80, Carmel, IN, was honored with the Bowl of Hygeia Award from the Indiana Pharmacy Association.

  • Robin Spaulding, BN’80, Round Rock, TX, joined CLARA Analytics as Chief Insurance Officer.
  • John J. Forbes, PH’80, Urbandale, IA, is serving his sixth and final term in the Iowa House of Representatives (District 44).
  • Jann E. Freed, MBA’81, Des Moines, IA, was honored as a 2024 Woman of Influence at the 2024 Women of Influence Awards by the Des Moines Business Record.
  • Linda H. (Wechler) Settler, LA’81, Milwaukee, WI, has been employed with ABCD (After Breast Cancer Diagnosis) as a Match Specialist to facilitate customized matches between patients, survivors, people living with metastatic disease, or caregivers and a breast cancer survivor/Mentor.
  • Jill N. Steiner, BN’82, Springfield, IL, was awarded the HR Lifetime Achievement award by the Central Illinois Chapter – Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).
  • Lisa B. Ryan, BN’83, Lafayette, CA, has been named Chief Marketing Officer of the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
  • Libby A. (Swanson) Jacobs, MPA’86, Des Moines, IA, was elected as Chair of the Taxpayers Association of Central Iowa’s Board of Directors.
  • Cathryn L. (Wiltfong) Lacy, MPA’86, Des Moines, IA, was awarded the Medal of Excellence by the Kansas State University Foundation.
  • Frederick W. James, JD’87, Des Moines, IA, was elected as Foundation President for the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA).
  • Jerry Wollmering, BN’87, Kirksville, MO, was named the Senior Associate Athletic Director/Chief Financial Officer for the University of Northern Iowa (UNI).
  • Thomas N. Bower, JD’87, Cedar Falls, IA, has retired as Chief Judge of the Iowa Court of Appeals.
  • Adam Gerol, JD’88, Port Washington, WI, was appointed as Ozaukee County Circuit Court Judge by Wisconsin Governor, Tony Evers.
  • Jeffrey D. Lorenzen, MBA’89, Des Moines, IA, has been promoted to CEO of American Equity Investment Life Holding Co.

  • 1990s

    Catherine A. Hogan, AS’90, Minneapolis, MN, was promoted to Partner at Boulay Financial Advisors, LLC.

  • Jennifer L. Fitzgerald, BN’90, Iowa City, IA, retired as Special Assistant to the Women’s Basketball Head Coach for the University of Iowa.
  • Stephen A. Funk, ’91, Lakewood, CO, was selected for inclusion in Marquis Who’s Who.
  • Joseph R. Dunham, MBA’91, Bondurant, IA, won the 2024 Ernst & Young’s (EY) Entrepreneur of the Year Heartland Award.
  • Stephen W. Dittmore, JO’91, MA’96, Avon Lake, OH, was named Dean of the College of Education and Human Services at the University of North Florida.
  • Johnny C. Taylor, MA’91, JD’92, Alexandria, VA, was named by Savoy Magazine as one of the 300 Most Influential Executives in Corporate America for 2024 and one of the Most Influential People Shaping Public Policy in our nation’s capital by Washingtonian Magazine.
  • Heidi E. (Sease) Nebel, JD’92, Johnston, IA, was recognized in the IAM Patent 1000: The World’s Leading Patent Professionals for her over 30 years of experience and expertise in patent law, IP design strategy, and in the biotechnology, chemical, and pharmaceutical industries.
  • Jeffrey A. Ziesman, JD’92, Shawnee, KS, has been hired by Norton Rose Fulbright as a partner in its regulatory, investigations, securities, and compliance practice.
  • Kevin J. Fields, MBA’92, Iowa City, IA, was appointed President and Chief Operating Officer of KENT Corp.
  • Daniel J. Cosgrove, JD’92, Urbandale, IA, was named Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel at Benson Hill, Inc.
  • Proctor K. Lureman, AS’92, MBA’96, Des Moines, IA, has been hired as President and CEO of Broadlawns Medical Center.
  • Cain A. Hayes, BN’92, Waban, MA, has been named one of Savoy Magazine’s 2024 Most Influential Executives in Corporate America.
  • Natali J. (Justiniano) Pahl, MBA’92, Des Moines, IA, was honored as an Ally Honoree at the 2024 dsm magazine LGBTQ Legacy Leader Awards.
  • Albert S. Womble, AS’94, West Des Moines, IA, was honored as the 2024 West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year.
  • Jeremy J. Glenn, BN’94, Chicago, IL, was named to the 2023 list of Notable Leaders in Employment and Labor Law by Crain’s Chicago Business magazine.
  • Ezra Hendrickson, BN’94, was named head coach of the national football (soccer) team for the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation (SVGFF).
  • Carol A. (Denter) Bodensteiner, MA’96, Des Moines, IA, was recognized as a 2024 LIVE UNITED Leader by the United Way of Central Iowa.
  • Marcelle M. Haddix, ED’96, Syracuse, NY, has been named Dean of the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Education.
  • Michael E. Philips, AS’96, Urbandale, IA, published a children’s book titled “The Ice Cream Tree.”
  • Timothy R. Coonan, AS’96, JD’02, Des Moines, IA, has been named Vice President of Hubbell Realty Co.
  • Justin D. Young, MBA’96, Westminster, CO, was named Chief Financial Officer of the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR).
  • Elizabeth Higgins-Beard, AS’98, Wheaton, IL, was commended by the British American Business Council Chicago with an Impact Award for her work leading The Duke of Edinburgh’s Int’l Award.
  • Sherry D. Coley, AS’97, Appleton, WI, was named to the Board of Directors of New North Inc, the regional economic development corporation for the 18 counties of Northeast Wisconsin.
  • Chris E. Heim, MBA’97, Minneapolis, MN, was named joint CEO of Atomic Data and Foundation Technologies.
  • Judi K. Luther-Roland, MAT’97, EdS’04, Waukee, IA, was named Principal of Waukee High School.
  • Edward W. Bull, AS’98, JD’01, Pleasantville, IA, was promoted to Deputy Attorney General for Agency Counsel in the Office of the Attorney General of Iowa.
  • James E. Voos, AS’99, Cleveland, OH, was elected President of the NFL Physicians Society (NFLPS).
  • Kimberly S. Grzywacz, MSE’99, Huxley, IA, CIT Signature Transportation (family-owned business) was awarded a Service Excellence-Large Market Award from the Iowa Travel Industry Partners (iTIP).
  • Cory S. Claussen, AS’99, Washington, D.C., was promoted to VP of Federal Affairs in FINRA’s Office of Government Affairs.

  • 2000s

    Zachary W. Stassen, BN’00, Denver, CO, was announced as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Neuros Medical, Inc.

  • Amy C. Zynda, PharmD’01, Green Bay, WI, was promoted to Clinical Pharmacist, Night Shift Senior at Advocate Aurora Healthcare.
  • Amanda J. Weber, PharmD’02, Winona, MN, started a new position as the National Field Medical Strategy Lead – Genitourinary Oncology at Pfizer.
  • Marc A. Reed, AS’02, Stow, OH, was announced as the Director of the School of Music and Professor of Music for Texas Christian University (TCU).
  • Abigail K. Shimon, PharmD’02, Coppell, TX, earned the AMCP Spirit of Volunteerism Award.
  • Kassie M. (Sloss) Maroney, BN’03, Hinsdale, IL, was named Senior Vice President and Chief Actuary for Blue Shield of California.
  • Derek K. Stocking, BN’03, Des Moines, IA, was appointed Chief Financial Officer of Ag Express Electronics.
  • Nicole M. Proesch, JD’04, Ankeny, IA, was named a shareholder in the law firm of Dickinson, Bradshaw, Fowler & Hagen P.C.
  • Arthur M. Sathoff, EdS’04, Pella, IA, was named Interim Superintendent of Prairie City Monroe Community School District.
  • Sarah K. (Schnorr) Bow, PharmD’04, Centennial, CO, was appointed President of the Colorado Pharmacists Society.
  • Donna K. (McMahon) Bothwell, JD’05, Sterling, CO, was appointed as District Judge in Iowa Judicial District 4 by Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds.
  • Melissa Odorzynski, PharmD’05, Tampa, FL, was named a 2024 BusinessWoman of the Year honoree by the Tampa Bay Business Journal.
  • Scott J. (Belcher) Pellegrino, AS’05, Saint Louis, MO, earned his master’s degree in History from Harvard University.
  • Kelly (Sinnott) Crosby, JO’06, Ankeny, IA, was honored as a member of the 2024 Class of 40 Women to Watch in Hospitality by the Iowa Restaurant Association.
  • Lee L. Hulsebus, AS’06, JO’06, Rolfe, IA, was named a shareholder in the law firm of Dickinson, Bradshaw, Fowler & Hagen P.C.
  • Noreen (Bush) Otto, JD’06, Newton, IA, was honored as a member of the 2024 Class of 40 Women to Watch in Hospitality by the Iowa Restaurant Association.
  • Clara Chaplin, AS’07, Des Moines, IA, was honored as a member of the 2024 Class of 40 Women to Watch in Hospitality by the Iowa Restaurant Association.
  • Bradley M. Strouse, JD’08, Cedar Falls, IA, was named to the Board of Directors of First Bank Waverly.
  • Nicole J. Cannon, MAT’08, West Des Moines, IA, has been selected to participate in the Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) program in summer 2024 at Iowa State University.
  • Joseph L. Jones II, MPA’08, PhD’21, Windsor Heights, IA, received the Leadership for Iowa Award from the Iowa Association of Business and Industry Foundation.
  • Praveen V. Bannikatti, MAT’08, Des Moines, IA, was appointed Principal at the Virtual Campus of Des Moines Public Schools.
  • Eric M. Sundermeyer, EdS’09, Pleasant Hill, IA, was announced as the new Interim Director of Student Services for the Ames Community School District.

  • 2010s

    Leslie D. (Place) Merriman, MPA’10, Norwalk, IA, was named Human Resources Manager at Norwalk Community School District.

  • Kudakwashe D. Mnangagwa, BN’11, Chicago, IL, was appointed Deputy Minister of Finance and Investment Promotion in the Zimbabwean Presidential Cabinet by his father, President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
  • Renee A. (Flack) Gelfond, MSE’11, Ankeny, IA, was appointed Principal of Moore Elementary School in the Des Moines Public Schools.
  • Andrew P. Werling, MSE’12, Muscatine, IA, was named the 2024 Iowa Assistant Secondary Principal of the Year from the School Administrators of Iowa.
  • Erik M. Lundy, MPA’12, Des Moines, IA, has been promoted to Department Deputy Director for the City of Des Moines.
  • Mariah E. (Brandt) Hollabaugh, PharmD’13, MBA’13, Steedman, MO, earned the Certified Pharmacy Executive Leader (CPEL) credential from the American Society of Health System Pharmacists (ASHP).
  • Benjamin Simons, BN’13, Cadillac, MI, hosted a two-day basketball youth camp in his hometown of Cadillac, MI.
  • Nathan J. Verlinden, PharmD’13, Phoenix, AZ, started a new position as Clinical Pharmacy Specialist – Internal Medicine at Banner Health.
  • Amy L. Gulling, MSE’13, Urbandale, IA, has been announced as a member of the Urbandale Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Urbandale class of 2025.
  • Michael L. Gossen, MSE’13, New London, IA, has been appointed Principal of Cowles Montessori School in Des Moines Public Schools.
  • Madeline K. Judge, AS’13, Waukee, IA, joined the full-time chorus of the German opera company Bavarian State Opera (Bayerische Staatsoper).
  • Merrie E. Frentress, MPA’14, Clive, IA, has been employed at West Virginia University as a Compliance and Training Specialist.
  • Ryan R. Roy, MS’15, Pleasant Hill, IA, received and was recognized as the first recipient of a new Faculty/Staff award: the Student Success Impact Award in Spring 2023 at Grand View University.
  • Elizabeth A. Olivera, BN’15, Chicago, IL, was recognized with a “Rising Stars” Award from the National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) for her pro bono efforts as an Associate in Cozen O’Connor’s Immigration Practice helping to ensure immigrants access to justice.
  • Matthew D. Blake, JD’15, Urbandale, IA, has been hired as an Of Counsel Attorney and named a shareholder in the law firm of Dickinson, Bradshaw, Fowler & Hagen P.C.
  • Samuel H. Huff IV, JD’15, Eldridge, IA, has been named by Davenport City Hall as the city’s new attorney.
  • Laura Book, JD’15, workforce and public safety policy advisor to Governor Reynolds since July 2022, will expand her role to include additional responsibilities as deputy legislative liaison.
  • Karla Y. Long, MPA’16, Des Moines, IA, has been named the recipient of the staff 2024 Inclusive Excellence Award from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Iowa State University.
  • Mason Mauro, JO’16, Sacramento, CA, has joined Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds’ Office of the Governor as Deputy Communications Director and Press Secretary.
  • Danielle A. (Peters) Tomkowitz, AS’16, MPA’19, Washington, D.C., has been hired as Associate Director of Regional Advancement, DC Metro, for The College of William & Mary.
  • Tina G. Yin Sowatzke, PharmD’16, JD’18, Ankeny, IA, has a new role as Intellectual Property Counsel at General Mills, Inc.
  • Dylan M. DeClerck, BN’16, Urbandale, IA, was selected to represent Team USA at the 2024 World Flying Disc Federation (WFDF) World Ultimate Championships (WUC).
  • Alyssa A. Zipperer, BN’16, Cedar Rapids, IA, was promoted to Associate Director of Social Media and Influencer Marketing at Anthologic.
  • Kalese M. (Henry) Sheldahl, MS’17, Waukee, IA, has been named a member of the Urbandale Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Urbandale class of 2025.
  • Tyler S. Patton, MPA’18, Des Moines, IA, fulfilled his lifelong goal by appearing on the nationally syndicated game show Jeopardy.
  • Kyle W. Roeder, AS’18, Urbandale, IA, has been employed as a Software Engineer at Nelnet, Inc.
  • Jacob M. Kiel, BN’19, JD’23, Peoria, IL, has been hired as a Divorce and Family Lawyer with Stange Law Firm.
  • Kaitlin M. Sickles, AS’19, BN’19, Waukee, IA, has been promoted to Senior Solutions Consultant at Zirous.

  • 2020s

    McKenna L. Haase, ’20, Des Moines, IA, will be sponsored by Interstate Batteries in twelve sprint car races this season.

  • Kollin H. Crompton, JO’20, Council Bluffs, IA, is joining the Republican Governors Association as rapid response director.
  • Rachelle L. Keck, PhD’20, Urbandale, IA, was honored as a 2024 Woman of Influence at the 2024 Women of Influence Awards by the Des Moines Business Record.
  • Jasmine D. Brooks, MA’21, Waukee, IA, has been hired as Executive Director of the 6th Avenue Corridor Neighborhood Main Street Program.
  • Alexander Rogers, AS’21, Greenfield, WI, has been hired as a Football Analyst by the Tennessee Titans.
  • Elizabeth K. (Orput) Regan, PharmD’21, Des Moines, IA, started a new position as Senior Network Enablement Specialist at Outcomes.
  • Haeri Lee, ED’22, Buffalo Grove, IL, won the Illinois Women’s State Amateur Golf Championship and qualified for the U.S. Women’s Amateur Golf Championship.
  • Garrett Sturtz, BN’22, Waukee, IA, was hired as Director of Men’s Basketball Operations by West Virginia University.
  • Zoe A. Hauptmann, MSE’22, MSE’23, Urbandale, IA, was appointed Principal of McKee Education Center in Des Moines Public Schools.
  • Isaac K. Basten, BN’23, Des Moines, IA, joined the professional Boston Athletic Association (BAA) High Performance Team.
  • Stephanie R. Mishler, EdD’23, Ottumwa, IA, has been hired as Superintendent of the Central DeWitt School District.
  • Sneha L. Cyriac, PharmD’23, MBA’23, Vernon Hills, IL, has been hired as the Associate Director – Neuroscience Medical Affairs Project Manager at Eli Lilly and Company.
  • Endylion L. Strohman, JD’23, Des Moines, IA, has joined Dickinson, Bradshaw, Fowler & Hagen, P.C. as an Associate Attorney.
  • Morgan Lind, ED’24, Des Moines, IA, has been hired as an English teacher at Perry High School.
  • Dr. Erlin Kakkand, PhD’24, West Des Moines, IA, was honored as the DEI Ally of the Year at the 2024 DEI Awards from the West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce.
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