Class Notes

The American Council of Life Insurers has elected Dan Houston (A)('84 marketing) as its chairman for 2020. Houston is chairman, president, and CEO of Des Moines-based Principal Financial Group.

Tricia Barrett (MS '00 professional ag) recently received the Outstanding Ag Specialist Award from the Missouri Farm Bureau. Barrett has been employed by the University of Missouri Extension service since 2014; she retired from her post with the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 2012.

Sydney Dighton ('17 sociology, anthro, & criminal justice) has been hired as a project coordinator by the Ames (Iowa) Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Commission.

Pat Arthur ('91 ag journalism) has been hired by Meyocks in Des Moines as an account team lead and director of agricultural public relations.

Patricia Tice (L)('75 child devel, MS '83 education), author of "Agri Manners: Essential Etiquette for Professional Success," has recently earned an Official Certificate of Registration for copyright protections of her Agri Manners book and its peripheral teaching materials: Build a Longer Table (soft and social skills). The registration was awarded by the United States Copyright Office. ISU President Wendy Wintersteen (L)(PhD '88) wrote the preface in the book. Several colleges/universities are currently using the Agri Manners book. Dr. Tice has worked on campus with the College of Engineering, President Wintersteen’s PLC, and she serves on the corporation board of Alpha Delta Pi, Pi Chapter, Iowa State University.

Haley Mostaert (’19 animal science) has accepted a position as the youth and 4-H coordinator for ISU Extension and Outreach Cedar County.

Abrah Meyer (L)(’19 ag business & supply chain mgmt) has accepted a position as a supply management specialist with John Deere.

Amanda Crow (’19 ag and life sciences education) has accepted a position as the youth and 4-H coordinator for ISU Extension and Outreach Clinton County.

After owning and operating a dental practice in the Denver metro area for the past 5 years, Dr. Compton has been elected to be the Treasurer of the Colorado Dental Association. She is also the chair of the Rocky Mountain Dental Convention and American Dental Association District 14 New Dentist Representative.

After more than 38 years, Al Jennings (L)('58 engineering) is stepping aside from his post as chief executive officer of EFCO Corp. in Des Moines. The 84-year-old Jennings, who has spent a total of 63 years with the company, will retain his role as chairman of the board. EFCO provides products and services to the construction industry for the forming and shoring of concrete. "It has been a privilege to serve as EFCO's CEO," Jennings said. "I'm proud of the work our team has done to build the company my father, W.A. Jennings, founded into the success it is today. I am excited about the future and look forward to the contributions of our new leadership team."

At its annual conference in July 2019, the Theriogenology Foundation presented Robert S. Youngquist, DVM, DACT with the Career Excellence in Theriogenology Award for his contributions to the field of reproductive veterinary medicine. Dr. Youngquist has made major and significant contributions to the field of theriogenology in research, teaching, and service activities during his career at the University of Missouri.

Scott Leith (’92 mgmt.) is now vice president of global external and financial communications for The Coca-Cola Company in Atlanta.

Caleb Floss (A)(’18 global resource systems) has accepted a job as an economist with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in Washington, D.C.

Kaleb Greiner (’18 ag studies) has accepted a position as a sales representative at Big Country Seeds.

Trey Forsyth (L)(’17 public service and administration in ag & ag business) has accepted a position as special assistant in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.

Rebecca Clay (L)(’16 global resource systems & agronomy) has accepted a position on the Practical Farmers of Iowa strategic initiatives team.

Brandy Waters ('01 psych, MBA '10) has been promoted to chief operations officer of the Iowa Clinic, a physician-owned health care provider located in Greater Des Moines.

Rachel Pierce ('15 global resource systems & env studies) has accepted a position as an admissions counselor with the University of Iowa.

Tejal S. Desai (A)('99 marketing) has joined the law firm Howard & Howard as a member of its Chicago, Illinois office.

Barbara Neal ('89 marketing) has been named director of CyRide by the Ames Transit Board. Neal has worked for the transit agency since 1991 and most recently served as interim director of CyRide before being named as the new permanent leader following a national search.

Lindsay Tigue (MFA '14 creative writing & the environment) has graduated with her Ph.D. from the University of Georgia. Her Ph.D. dissertation was a linked collection of short fiction entitled "With Love From All of Us: Stories." She began a tenure-track position as an assistant professor of English and Creative Writing at Eastern New Mexico University in August 2019.

The University of Tennessee’s Institute of Agriculture (UTIA) recognized Dr. Burton C. English (L)('74 forestry, PhD '81 ag econ), professor in Agricultural and Resource Economics as the winner of its 2019 Institute Professor Award – the highest honor in the Institute of Agriculture. English works in production economics, precision agriculture, rural development, and biofuel analysis. He is the leader of a group who received a grant from the Federal Aviation Administration to study biomass as an alternative jet fuel, and is a key contributor to the Institute’s Bioenergy Analysis group.

Karen M. Albertson (L)('83 chem engr) retired July 1, 2019 after a 35-year career with 3M, most recently as global science business and PGP director.

Chad Layland ('98 con engr) has been promoted to president of Baker Electric, a Des Moines-based electrical contracting firm.

Former Iowa State Daily and Marshalltown Times-Republican editor Emily Barske ('18 journalism & marketing) has been named associate editor of the Des Moines Business Record.