Class Notes

Kimberly Ryan ('89 accounting) has accepted the position of CEO and board member of Hillenbrand. Previous to this role, Ryan served as the president of Coperion for over six years.

Wendy Wintersteen (L) (PhD '88 entomology) will be inducted into the Iowa Business Hall of Fame for her work at Iowa State University as the dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the president of the university. Through the campaign, Innovate at Iowa State, and the opening of the Student Innovation Center, Iowa State has become a national leader in entrepreneurship in higher education.

Martino Harmon (L) was selected to serve on the Alumni Board for the University of Toledo, his alma mater. Harmon previously worked at Iowa State in the office of Student Affairs from 2013 to 2020.

Chuck White (L) ('79 fisheries and wildlife biology, MS '86 professional agriculture) was recently selected to join the Iowa Soybean Association Communications Squad. This squad is composed of 21 members with the goal to educate farmers and consumers about modern agriculture. White is the owner of Agriland Inc, a farm management and real estate company, and farms land with his brother and son.

Dennis Sharp ('74 architecture) was recognized at the spring conference of the Iowa chapter of the American Institute of Architects for his commitment to architecture. Sharp is currently the president of FEH Design where he works on projects for educational and municipal work, such as the Bondurant Library and Webster City High School.

Matt Basye ('92 architecture) was recognized at the spring conference for the Iowa chapter of the American Institute of Architects for his dedication to the architectural profession. This is Basye's 25th year as an institute member, as well as his 25th year working for FEH Design.

Tyler Riley ('99 architecture) has been promoted to vice president of FEH Design. In this position, Riley's role will expand to executive leadership, in addition to managing the technology needs of the firm and designing educational work. Riley has been with FEH Design since his college internship.

Ruki Neuhold-Ravikumar (MS '03 graphic design) was chosen to be the interim director of the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum in New York City. Previously, she was employed under the secretary for education at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.

Taylor Carlson ('14 graphic design and English, MS '18 integrated visual arts) has accepted a position with Buena Vista University as an assistant professor in animation and graphic design. Previously, Carlson was an adjunct instructor at Grand View University and the Des Moines Area Community College.

Nick McKenna ('02 horticulture) is the new president of the Sports Turf Managers Association. This association is comprised of over 2,700 experts in turf management. McKenna currently works at Texas A&M as their assistant athletic field maintenance manager.

Darren Conlee (L) ('96 construction engineering) has accepted a promotion to general manager of Mortenson, a development and engineering services provider. In this role, Conlee will lead the federal contracting team and contribute to key business decisions. Conlee started with Mortenson in 1998 and has held positions such as director of preconstruction and project executive.

Rick Tett** is graduating at age 69 with an MS in innovation and entrepreneurship from the Jindal School of Business at UT Dallas in May 2021. He was honored to receive recognition as a scholar with high distinction and membership in Phi Kappa Phi. Writes Tett, "I was pleased to make up for my dismal undergraduate grade point. At the same time, my daughter, Dr. Emily Levy, will receive a PhD in mechanical engineering from UTD's Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science."

Kyle Larson ('08 accounting and finance) has accepted the position of vice president for BCC Advisers. In this position, Larson will help businesses achieve their acquisition goals and facilitate ownership transfers. Larson first joined BCC Advisers in 2014 as a financial analyst.

Tara Seifert (A) ('98 exercise and sport science) is the head coach for the Chaska High School Girl's Varsity Basketball team. Seifert recently achieved her 250th victory as head coach. After the landmark win, Seifert took her team to the 4A state tournament, where the team won their first state title. Seifert previously played on the Iowa State University Women's Basketball team under Coach Bill Fennelly.

Jami Simon ('81 speech communication and physical education) recently co-starred in the short film "Marcy Learns Something New." This film received the award of Best of the Year at the Vimeo Festival, as well a special mention at Aspen Shortsfest and a nomination at the Palm Springs International Shorts Festival.

Ron Timmermans ('72 architecture) has been recognized by the Federal Aviation Administration and other aviation industry leaders as the 2021 National Certificated Flight Instructor of the Year. Timmermans teaches aspiring pilots as a ground and flight instructor for Beechcraft pilots in Florida, Texas, and throughout the U.S. Before turning to aviation, Timmermans spent 40 years as an architect and project manager.

Jessie James ('07 interior design, MS '09) has accepted the position of vice president of business development for Interior Investments. Interior Investments is a Herman Miller dealer that helps growing organizations effectively use their office spaces.

Robert Bullard (A) (PhD '76 sociology) is the new head of the White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council. The council will focus on addressing current and past environmental injustice. Bullard is considered to be the father of environmental justice.

David Schramm (L) ('78 forestry and pest management) has been recognized by NACE International with the 2021 R.A. Brannon Award. This honor acknowledges Schramm's work promoting the values and mission of NACE International through his four decades of membership. Schramm has presented at many regional and national conferences, assessed the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System, and conducted research on natural gas.

Susan Weidmann (L) ('00 family resource management) has accepted a position as assistant professor in the Department of Recreation Management and Physical Education at Appalachian State University, in Boone, North Carolina. Her research focuses on haunted tourism and scare attraction experiences.

Chris Sievers ('12 animal science, MS '16 veterinary preventative medicine, DVM '16) was chosen to be the 2021 Young Swine Veterinarian of the Year by the American Association of Swine Veterinarians. Sievers is being honored for his resourcefulness, educational client interactions, and science-based recommendations.

Jen Sorenson (L) ('01 animal science and journalism and mass communication) has recently been chosen to serve as the president of the National Pork Producers Council. In this role, Sorenson will focus on trade, domestic policy, and the climate. Sorenson is currently working with Iowa Select Farms as their communications director and operates the Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation.

Kate Bruns (L)('99 journalism) has been named vice president for marketing and communications at the Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce in Appleton, Wisconsin. The Fox Cities Chamber serves a metropolitan area in northeast Wisconsin that includes 17 municipalities surrounding Appleton. As the organization's vice president, Kate will lead all branding, communications, and marketing strategies on behalf of the chamber and its member investors.

Tyler Weig (L)('05 community health education) has accepted a position with Iowa 4-H Youth Development at Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. He will serve as partnership & engagement program manager on the senior leadership team.

Dustin Loy (A) (DVM '09) has been selected as a Stand Up to Superbugs ambassador by Pew Charitable Trusts. In the role, Loy will encourage Congress members and federal agency leaders to focus on preventing antibiotic-resistant bacteria. He is one of 40 people chosen for this role.