Class Notes

Aaron Todd (L)('05 community and regional planning) is a member of the Business Record's Forty under 40. These 40 Des Moines area business leaders, who were chosen by past award winners, are under the age of 40 and have demonstrated impressive career achievements and unparalleled community involvement. Aaron is chief executive officer for Iowa Primary Care Association.

Madeline Sturms (A)('09 community and regional planning) is a member of the Business Record's Forty under 40. These 40 Des Moines area business leaders, who were chosen by past award winners, are under the age of 40 and have demonstrated impressive career achievements and unparalleled community involvement. Madeline is community development director for the City of Pleasant Hill.

Cory Sharp ('12 architecture) is a member of the Business Record's Forty under 40. These 40 Des Moines area business leaders, who were chosen by past award winners, are under the age of 40 and have demonstrated impressive career achievements and unparalleled community involvement. Cory is an associate principal at FEH Design.

Nina Richtman ('06 entomology) is a member of the Business Record's Forty under 40. These 40 Des Moines area business leaders, who were chosen by past award winners, are under the age of 40 and have demonstrated impressive career achievements and unparalleled community involvement. Nina is program manager for NAMI Iowa. Kyle Oppenhuizen ('09 journalism) is a member of the Business Record's Forty under 40. These 40 Des Moines area business leaders, who were chosen by past award winners, are under the age of 40 and have demonstrated impressive career achievements and unparalleled community involvement. Kyle is director of communications at Greater Des Moines Partnership.

Amanda Martin ('12 education) is a member of the Business Record's Forty under 40. These 40 Des Moines area business leaders, who were chosen by past award winners, are under the age of 40 and have demonstrated impressive career achievements and unparalleled community involvement. Amanda is the assistant director of community engaged learning at Drake University.

Jonathan Lewton ('06 construction engineering) is a member of the Business Record's Forty under 40. These 40 Des Moines area business leaders, who were chosen by past award winners, are under the age of 40 and have demonstrated impressive career achievements and unparalleled community involvement. Jonathan is a senior project manager at Ryan Companies.

Johnny Alcivar ('10 pol sci & int studies, MS '14 community and regional planning) is a member of the Business Record's Forty under 40. These 40 Des Moines area business leaders, who were chosen by past award winners, are under the age of 40 and have demonstrated impressive career achievements and unparalleled community involvement. Johnny is a workforce program director for Proteus.

Clinton Akerberg ('04 int. business) is a member of the Business Record's Forty under 40. These 40 Des Moines area business leaders, who were chosen by past award winners, are under the age of 40 and have demonstrated impressive career achievements and unparalleled community involvement. Clinton is a managing partner and personal CFO of The Wealth Consulting Group.

Sara Zelinskas ('06 biology) was a recent guest on the Hampton Roads Show on WAVY TV in Hampton Roads, Virginia. She spoke about relieving foot pain through at-home, easy-to-do steps. Sara is a podiatrist at TPMG Foot and Ankle in Virginia Beach, a suburb of Hampton Roads.

Cheryl Mullenbach’s (A)(MS '01 interdisciplinary grad studies) latest nonfiction book for adult readers, Stagecoach Women: Brave and Daring Women of the Wild West, offers an expansive overview of stagecoach history in the United States enriched by the personal stories of women who contributed to the evolution and success of a captivating facet of American history. Her books have been recognized by the American Library Association, National Council for Social Studies, International Literacy Association, and FDR Presidential Library and Museum.

Renee Schaaf (A)('80 industrial administration) was recently honored with the Champion Award, a part of the 2020 Ivy Women in Business Awards. Renee is the president of Retirement Income Solutions at Principal Financial Group. The Champion Award honors individuals, businesses, or organizations that inspire, lead, and encourage women.

Anna Florzak (A)('10 marketing), product line manager for WNBA uniforms at Nike Inc., recently earned the Outstanding Young Alumna Award from the Ivy College of Business at Iowa State University. The award, which is a part of the 2020 Ivy Women in Business Awards, honors alumnae 35 years of age or younger who have distinguished themselves early in their career for their achievements.

Eric Gonder (L)(DVM '74 vet med) has been presented the Lamplighter Award by the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association for "sustained and exemplary service." Gonder is a senior veterinarian with Butterball/Goldsboro Milling Company.

Jessika Uden Benes (DVM '11 vet med) has been named the Young Veterinarian of the Year by the Nebraska Veterinary Medical Association. Benes is a veterinarian with Stolley Park Veterinary Hospital in Grand Island, Nebraska.

Kelly Heath (A)(DVM '88 vet med) has been named the Veterinarian of the Year by the Nebraska Veterinary Medical Association. Heath practiced mixed animal medicine as an associate and as a practice owner for 16 years before working in the biopharmaceutical industry for eight years. He is an attending veterinarian in the School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Richard Keeling ('02 marketing), CFP, CRPC, APMA a private wealth advisor with Ameriprise Financial in Ames, was named to the list of “Best-in-State Wealth Advisors” published by Forbes magazine. The list recognizes financial advisors who have demonstrated high levels of ethical standards, professionalism, and success in the business.

Christian Vandehaar (BFA '09 integrated studio arts), who teaches art at Bondurant-Farrar High School, was recognized on Jan. 17, 2020, as the Iowan of the Week by U.S. Congresswoman Cindy Axne, who represents Iowa’s 3rd District.

Sarah (Lokenvitz) Nielsen (BFA '13 integrated studio arts) was selected for induction into the National Kitchen and Bath Association's 8th Annual Thirty Under 30 Program. This program recognizes 30 individuals under the age of 30 across the U.S. and Canada whom the committee believes to be the up-and-coming leadership of the industry. Nielsen is the first to be selected from Iowa.

Artist, activist and Iowa State University College of Design alumnus Theaster Gates (BS '96 community & regional planning /MA '05 interdisciplinary graduate studies /Hon. Doctorate '17 humane letters) will co-chair the Prada Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Council with the aim of closing the inclusion gap in the fashion industry and elevating voices of color within the company and the fashion industry at large.

Kirk Funkhouser (MA '93 architecture /MBA '93 business admin) was recently appointed principal at Gensler. He also serves as the managing director of the firm's Austin office. During his career, Funkhouser has managed several significant projects, including the interior architecture and design for Chase Center, the new arena and headquarters for the Golden State Warriors; and two $120+ million renovations for the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles. In addition, he managed the $87 million San Jose State University Student Recreation Center project.

The Shark Report #1, part of the Benny McGee and the Shark series by Derek Anderson (BFA '91 art & design), has been published by Penguin Workshop, an imprint of Penguin Random House Publishers.

"The O2 Agar Mask" by Soo-Peng Siang, who graduated with a bachelor of industrial design in December, has been selected for exhibition by the Green Concept Award 2020 competition, a collaboration of White Lobster Gmbh & Co. KG, Berlin, and IKEA Foundation Germany. Siang developed the concept as her senior project. Her project was one of only 60 selected from among 436 entries by undergraduate and graduate students worldwide. The work will be exhibited at International Handwerksmesse Munich and awards will be announced Wednesday, March 11.

SRC, Inc., has announced that Asif Moosa ('85 electrical engineering) has been promoted to assistant vice president, international business. In his new role, Moosa will be responsible for growing SRC’s business in the complex international market. SRC, Inc., a not-for-profit research and development company, combines information, science, technology, and ingenuity to solve problems in the areas of defense, environment, and intelligence.

Grant Jacobson (A)(DVM'97 veterinary medicine) is a member of the inaugural board of directors of the new Independent Veterinary Practitioners Association. This follows the October 2019 opening of his own independent veterinary practice, The Hometown Veterinarian, in Marshalltown, Iowa.

Jeff Wells (L)('84 animal science, DVM'88 veterinary medicine) has written three books about his experiences as a small and large animal veterinarian. Two of his books, “All My Patients Have Tales” and “All My Patients Kick and Bite,” contain a series of charming, funny, and engaging stories from his Colorado practice.