Class Notes

The Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden has hired Azure Christensen (L)('01 liberal studies) as its director of philanthropy. Christensen will lead fundraising as the organization looks to expand again. A veteran of Central Iowa nonprofit work, Christensen most recently worked as executive director of the EveryStep Foundation, with annual revenues of $2.5 million. She has previously worked as senior director of development at the Iowa State University Foundation, director of development for the Blank Park Zoo Foundation and the director of development for Planned Parenthood of Greater Iowa.

Brennan Buckley ('95 advertising) has left his post as president of Iowa Realty Co. to join a startup real estate firm that melds technology with the purchase of property. Buckley, who had been with Iowa Realty 15 years, has joined Realm, an online company that uses data and artificial intelligence to match potential buyers of high-end properties with the consumers’ lifestyle, interests and activities.

Jami Simon ('81 speech comm & phys ed) co-starred in episode 202 of the NBC television series New Amsterdam, "The Big Picture." She also recently had a principal role in the film KURT with Matthew Lawrence & co-starred in a short film with comedian Rachel Dratch.

Lisa Buckentine (L)(’11 ag business/intl ag/econ) has accepted a position as senior merchandiser at Dairy Products, Inc.

Karl Kerns (L)('14 animal science) has been selected as a postdoctoral fellow with the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

Melissa Heeren (’13 ag and life sciences education) has accepted a position as the ag educator and FFA adviser at Vinton-Shellsburg Community Schools.

Elly Sukup (’08 public service and administration in ag, international ag) has accepted a position as a food security technical officer for Mercy Corps.

The National Defense University Foundation Names James Schmeling, J.D., as New President and Chief Executive Officer: Schmeling to Rapidly Accelerate Support for National Defense University's Mission of Educating, Developing and Inspiring National Security Leaders WASHINGTON, Sept. 30, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Defense University (NDU) Foundation Board of Directors announced today the appointment of Mr. James Schmeling, J.D., as the Foundation President and Chief Executive Officer effective 1 October 2019. "Mr. Schmeling's exceptional record of leadership and success in building higher education institutes, military veteran non-profits, and world class public private partnerships is unparalleled," said NDU Foundation Chairman of the Board of Directors Brigadier General Jack A. Pellicci, US Army (Ret). "We look forward to Mr. Schmeling expertly leading the Foundation, especially developing new strategic initiatives that propel the NDU's vital mission of educating, developing, and inspiring national security leaders." "I'm excited to join the NDU Foundation and lead our team to ensure NDU is provided the resources necessary for educating the next generation of America's military and national security leadership. Only with philanthropic investment can we fund vital programs like our International Fellows program, which builds a network of relationships that are sometimes the unseen difference when the world is at a tipping point," said Schmeling. "Our board and professional team are committed to an ambitious vision of outcome-based programming that connects the preeminent leaders of today with the emerging leaders of tomorrow. It's an amazing time to join NDUF." Widely published and well known for his collaborative intrapreneurial style, Mr. Schmeling brings over 25 years of experience to NDUF. Most recently, Schmeling served as the Executive Vice President for Student Veterans of America where he created the Business and Industry Roundtable with founding members that included Accenture, BASF, General Dynamics, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, PwC, Nestle, amongst others. Mr. Schmeling's expertise also includes building three research-focused institutes within premier universities, administering over $90 million in funding, writing and receiving $45 million in proposal awards, and being the principal investigator/co-principal investigator for over $16 million in funded projects. Please see the NDU Foundation's website for a complete biography: https://ndufoundation.org/people/staff/james-schmeling NDU President Vice Admiral Fritz Roegge, USN, welcomed the selection stating, "Mr. Schmeling's impressive successes in the military, in business, and in supporting academia demonstrate his readiness to lead the NDU Foundation. I look forward to partnering with him to support NDU in our commitment to develop joint warfighters and national security leaders through rigorous academics, research, and engagement." About the National Defense University (NDU) and NDU Foundation The National Defense University (NDU) Foundation, a nonpartisan, nonprofit, philanthropic organization, was established to provide support to the NDU. Under the direction of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, NDU is the premier institution for studies in security strategy and leadership development. NDU prepares leaders from the U.S. and over 75 countries to serve at the highest levels of government, focused on national and international security issues. For more information, please visit NDU.edu SOURCE National Defense University Foundation Related Links www.ndu.edu

Michael Conzett (L)('76 civil engr, MS '78), P.E., emeritus member of the Nebraska Board of Engineers and Architects, has been awarded the Distinguished Service Award from the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). The award was presented during the organization's 98th annual meeting in Washington, D.C.

Iowa State University's James L. and Katherine S. Melsa Dean of Engineering W. Samuel Easterling (L)(PhD '87 civil & construction engr), former professor and head of the Charles Edward Via Jr. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering in the College of Engineering at Virginia Tech University, has been conferred the title of Montague-Betts Professor Emeritus of Structural Steel Design by the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors. The emeritus title may be conferred on retired professors, associate professors, and administrative officers who are specially recommended to the board by Virginia Tech President Tim Sands in recognition of exemplary service to the university. Nominated individuals who are approved by the board receive a copy of the resolution and a certificate of appreciation.

Richard Keeling ('02 marketing), CFP, CRPC, APMA a Private Wealth Advisor with Ameriprise Financial in Ames, was named to the list of “Forbes Best-in-State Next-Generation Wealth Advisors” published by Forbes Magazine. The list recognizes millennial financial advisors who have demonstrated high levels of ethical standards, professionalism and success in the business. Keeling is President/CEO of Keeling Wealth Advisors, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.

Daphne Christensen (A)('98 sociology & journalism), a marketing professional with more than 20 years of experience, has launched Prep Marketing Co. in Des Moines, Iowa. Christensen said her goal as a boutique marketing firm is to provide personalized, cost-effective service to small businesses. She has worked for a hospital system, a private surgery practice, and most recently with a Central Iowa technology company. She also founded and operated a nonprofit, Dylan’s Smile Inc., providing a network of support for children and families dealing with the challenges of a facial birth defect.

Eric Kohlsdorf ('92 finance) was recently named treasurer of the National Association of Health Underwriters (NAHU). He was appointed during the NAHU's 89th annual convention and exhibition in San Diego, California. Kohlsdorf is president and client strategist at Prisma Strategies, an insurance brokerage firm in Des Moines, Iowa.

Laura Lee ('17 el ed), a special education teacher at Mitchell Elementary School in Ames, received the 2019 Dan Woodin Excellence in Education Award from the Ames Community School District. The award was presented Aug. 20.

Joe Webb ('16 nutritional sci), an ISU graduate student in food science and human nutrition, received a Young Investigator Award from the American Egg Board’s Egg Nutrition Center to study the role of long-term egg consumption on inflammation in the brain. He will be examining if whole egg consumption modifies neuroinflammation in the prefrontal cortex, using next-generation sequencing techniques.

Cody McKinley (L)(’07 ag business) has been promoted to assistant vice president, state and national relations with the National Pork Producers Council.

Brady Stewart (’02 ag systems technology) has been promoted to executive vice-president, U.S. hog production for Smithfield Foods.

Mike Bahnsen ('00 ag business) has been promoted to vice president of business development at Clear Lake Bank and Trust.

Russell King (A)('71 aero engr) of Lakewood, Illinois is the author of several books, including "Have You Seen My 18 Wheeler?," a children's interactive picture book, and "Russell Builds a Bridge -- What Do Civil Engineers Do, Anyway?" -- an educational book about how civil engineers are involved in infrastructure construction.

Christos Saccopoulos ('66 arch, MArch '74) has published a poetry book titled Beachcomber's Report. The book comprises four parts, through which the poet explores aspects of our common humanity, delves into individual fortunes and misfortunes, reveals the irony underlying many an endeavor, and revels in the "etymological vagaries that propelled Greek concepts into English."

Lisa Jones Jochim (A)('84 elem ed) recently published her first children's picture book. After teaching for 15 years and then living in the Netherlands for five years, she discovered her love of writing. Her book "Excuse Me Sir, Do You Bark English?" is about her chocolate lab, who finds himself on the wrong side of the fence in a country where he doesn't bark the right language. He barks English and everyone around him barks Dutch. (How will he ever make it home?)

For more than 40 years, Linda (Murray) Emmerson (A)('59 gen sci) has been creating art by cutting paper. An exhibition of her scherenschmitte was on display at the Unitarian Church in Ames in Summer 2018. Much of her work features scenes from the Iowa State campus.

Peter Ferket (A)(PhD ’87 an sci), extension poultry nutritionist, director of the Animal Food and Nutrition Consortium, and associate head of the Prestage Family Department of Poultry Science at North Carolina State University, received the American Feed Industry Poultry Science Association Poultry Nutrition Award.

Ron Rosati (PhD '84 ag & life sci ed) retired Aug. 5 from the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture, which he served as dean.

Mike Kettwick (A)('83 ag and life sci ed) has announced his retirement after 36 years of service to Farmers Bank and Trust in Buffalo Center, Iowa.