Class Notes

Amy Dennis (16' Political Science) joined Iowa State University as a legal secretary in the Office of University Counsel in November 2018.

Andrew Reynolds ('12 construction engineering) has joined Benchmark, Inc. as its senior consultant. In this position, Reynolds provides roof consulting services to clients throughout North America. He started as an intern during the summer 2010 and returned as a full-time consultant following his graduation from Iowa State University.

Eric Hasselbusch ('90 marketing) has joined Benchmark, Inc. as their account manager. In this position, Hasselbusch focuses on developing and maintaining client relationships, completing roof evaluations, and developing roof and pavement management strategies for clients throughout North America. He has been with Benchmark since 2011 and has been involved in the roofing industry since 2004.

William (Bill) Bennett (A)('78 civil engineering) retired after 40 years from LHB Engineers & Architects as the chief executive officer. Bennett joined LHB in April 1980 as a structural project engineer, bringing his bridge design expertise from experience with firms in Iowa and Kansas.

Carrie Clark ('01 biology, DVM '05 veterinary medicine), veterinary medical officer with the Office of Policy and Program Development of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in Omaha, Nebraska, was recently featured in the USDA publication The Beacon for her years of service. She has worked with the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service for nine years.

Christian Hempen (S)(’16 animal science), customer success manager with Global VetLink, was honored as an Ames Chamber of Commerce FUEL Story County 4 Under 40 Awardee.

The United Way of Adams County based in Quincy, Illinois, announced that Jeremy Wingerter (L) has been named the new Executive Director, effective Feb. 18. A dual graduate of Iowa State University ('96 & '98), Wingerter has worked in leadership positions at Augustana College - Illinois, Northwestern University, the University of Southern California and Western Illinois University.

Sarvinder Naberhaus (A) ('83 fashion merchandising) is an award-winning, critically-acclaimed, and bestselling author who immigrated to the United States from Punjab, India. She's received five-star reviews for her books "Blue Sky White Stars" and "Lines." "Blue Sky White Stars" was a bilingual book for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, Time Magazine’s Top 10 Children’s Books of the Year, an American Library Association Notable and Crystal Kite Award winner. Nominated for several state and notable awards, it was praised by Entertainment Weekly, USA Today, NPR, and is part of the collection at the Library of Congress.

Emily Hejlik ('12 communications studies) was honored by the Sports Business Journal (SBJ) as part of the inaugural class of “New Voices Under 30,” which recognizes the next generation of leaders in sports business. "As female athletes continue to accomplish extraordinary feats, the sports industry has the unique ability to magnify their successes and provide opportunities that have historically been reserved for men," Hejlik said in a recent feature by SBJ.

Jessica Tekippe (’08 dairy science), research and development and tech service manager for AjiPro-L, won the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation’s Young Farmer Discussion Meet. The Young Farmer Discussion Meet is a unique competition in which participants are scored based on their ability to engage in a cooperative discussion on challenges affecting agriculture.

Kevin Falk (PhD’19 plant breeding), integrated field sciences research scientist with Corteva Agriscience, is the grand prize winner of the Better Seed, Better Life Student Video Contest sponsored by the American Seed Trade Association, National Association of Plant Breeders and the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of American and Soil Science Society of America.

Ariel Perry ('15 kinesiology & health) has been hired as director of programming for Opportunity On Deck, a Des Moines nonprofit organization that provides sports programming opportunities to youth across Central Iowa.

Practical Farmers of Iowa has chosen Paul Mugge (A)('74 aero engr), an organic farmer and longtime on-farm research participant from Sutherland, Iowa, to receive the 2020 Sustainable Agriculture Achievement Award. The award is given each year by PFI to an individual or couple that has show exemplary commitment to sustainable agriculture, generously shared their knowledge with others, and been influential in efforts to foster vibrant communities, diverse farms, and health food. Mugge and his wife, Karen, farm 300 acres of certified organic crops; the farm also features a mature, 17-year-old restored prairie, prairie strips, and a beetle bank.

Margaret Krug Palen ('52 textiles & clothing) has published her sixth book, "Germany and Scotland Immigrants in Iowa." The book is being published by Heritage Press in Berwyn Heights, Md.

David L. Garin (A)(PhD '64 chem), Associate Professor of Chemistry Emeritus, was the first recipient of the University of Missouri-St. Louis Retired Faculty of the Year award. The honor was presented in November 2019.

Polk County (Iowa) Chief Deputy Assessor Amy Rasmussen ('93 psychology) assumed the office of president of the International Association of Assessing Officers (IAAO) on Jan. 1, 2020. As president, Rasmussen is chair of the IAAO Board of Directors and presides at all meetings of the board and membership.

Rachel Chikwamba (PhD ’02 genetics) has been named director general of the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics. The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics is an international organization which conducts agricultural research for rural development, headquartered in Patancheru, India, with several regional centers and research stations.

Elizabeth Burns-Thompson, (L)(’11 ag business, international ag) manager of corporate affairs for Renewable Energy Group, was elected to the Altoona City Council (Iowa) and was recently featured as one of the Des Moines Register’s “15 People to Watch in 2020.”

Rebekkah (Nelson) Sandt (’06 civil engineering) has been named Young Engineer of the Year by the Texas Chapter of the American Public Works Association, Southeast Branch. Sandt is a professional engineer with more than 13 years of experience designing wastewater and potable water. The American Public Works Association strives to advance the professional, social, and economic interests of engineering while supporting engineering education opportunities and recognizing outstanding professionals.

Jeffrey Coleman (A)(’76 civil engineering, MS ‘77) has been elected vice president of the American Concrete Institute (ACI). The institute is a leading authority and resource worldwide in concrete design, construction, and materials. Coleman is a licensed professional engineer and attorney at law and principal partner of The Coleman Law Firm, LLC. in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and has been an ACI member for more than 37 years.

Dustin Loy ('05 animal science, DVM '09, PhD '11 vet microbiology), molecular diagnostician in the Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Center and faculty member in the School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, recently received the Excellence in Diagnostic Microbiology award from the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD) at its annual meeting in Providence, Rhode Island. The award recognizes research accomplishments in the field of diagnostic bacteriology that result in new scientific findings that better veterinary medicine.

Doug Reynolds (L)(’95 ag and life sci ed) received the 2019 Professional Development Award of Excellence from the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) in October at the organization’s fall conference. As the U.S. leader for Marketing and Digital Communications at Corteva Agriscience, Reynolds was recognized for playing an instrumental role in the successful formation of Corteva Agriscience, the agricultural spinoff of DowDuPont that includes the Pioneer seed brand.

Neil Harl (L)('56 ag and life sci ed, PhD '65 economics), retired Charles F. Curtiss Distinguished Professor in Agriculture and Life Sciences at Iowa State University, was elected to the National Association of Estate Planners and Councils Estate Planning Hall of Fame and recognized as a Distinguished Accredited Estate Planner. The award is given in recognition of distinguished service to the field of estate planning and was presented Nov. 7 at a ceremony during the organization’s annual NAEPC Advanced Estate Planning Strategies Conference.

Justin Moore (L)('93 dietetics), PT, DPT -- CEO of the American Physical Therapy Association -- has been unanimously elected to serve a four-year term on the Board of the Amputee Coalition. The Amputee Coalition’s mission is to raise awareness and advocate on behalf of people affected by limb loss and limb difference, serving to amplify their collective voice on Capitol Hill and ensure that legislators and policymakers are educated about the unique needs of this community. The Coalition’s work helps to secure the services, supports, and resources for individuals to live the lives they want to live. In his role on the Coalition’s board, Moore will join 11 other board members who advise the organization on initiatives including federal policy outreach, insurance protections for patients, the organization’s National Limb Loss Resource Center, summer youth camp, and hospital partnerships.

Sophia Magill (L)('05 pol sci) is the recipient of the 2019 American Association of Universities (AAU) Council on Federal Relations (CFR) "Ripple Effect Award." Magill is the director of federal relations in the Office of the President at Iowa State University. She advocates on behalf of Iowa State University’s federal priorities by promoting research, higher education, and science activities in an effort to increase federal support and expand awareness of the university in Washington, D.C. She has been actively engaged in the higher education community, serving as chair of the Council on Government Affairs at the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU) and on the AAU CFR Steering Committee.

LaTasha Mabry Snipes ('06 elec engr) has joined the Houston, Texas office of the law firm Polsinelli as a member of the firm's Intellectual and Property and Technology Litigation Office. Snipes is an experienced intellectual property litigator who completed her J.D. at the University of Houston Law Center. She has been named to The National Black Lawyers’ Top 40 Under 40 from 2017-2019 and previously served as a submissions editor with the University of Houston Law Center’s Houston Business & Tax Law Journal. She is a member of the Houston Intellectual Property Association and The Honorable Nancy F. Atlas Intellectual Property American Inn of Court.

Colby Moorberg (BS '08 environmental science) recently published an open textbook, Soil and Water Conservation: An Annotated Bibliography . Moorberg is an assistant professor of soil science in the Kansas State University Department of Agronomy. The book was published by New Prairie Press, KSU's open digital press. The book is designed to be a resource for conservation students and practitioners, and highlights freely available online resources such as extension publications and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service technical bulletins. Topics covered include conservation history and fundamentals, conservation practices, conservation implementation, and careers. The book will save students approximately $80 each relative to competing textbooks. The book also features a foreword by Rick Cruse (BS '72 agronomy), professor in the Iowa State University Department of Agronomy.

Mansoor Sarwar (MS '85 computer engr, PhD '88) has been appointed vice chancellor of the University of Engineering and Technology in Lahore, Pakistan. UET Lahore is the oldest engineering educational institution in the country. “My favorite role as vice chancellor is my interaction with the extremely bright students and teachers belonging to every nook and corner of the country, and motivating them to be superior professionals as well as contributing members of the world community with a sense of service and empathy towards others,” Sarwar said.

Steve Tornberg (DVM ’79) received the 2019 South Dakota Veterinary Medical Association’s (SDVMA) Distinguished Service Award. Tornberg's practice has focused on treating, breeding and working with horses at the Dakota Large Animal Clinic since since 1981. He has served various roles on the SDVMA Board, including president, served as an South Dakota State University extension associate and as an expert witness in equine cases.

Luis Verde (MS ’01 plant breeding, PhD ’03), maize product development director of Latin America and global sorghum lead for Corteva Agriscience, was recognized with the 2019 Plant Breeding Impact Award from the National Association of Plant Breeders. The award recognizes significant advancements in the field of plant breeding, specifically in the area of applied variety and/or technology development. Verde focuses on breeding technologies and methods to accelerate genetic gain and continue delivering the best products to the market.

Tom Annear ('75 fisheries and wildlife biology) in the 2019 recipient of the Carl R. Sullivan Fishery Conservation Award from the American Fisheries Society. Annear recently retired from his position as the Wyoming Game and Fish Department water management supervisor after nearly 38 years of service.

Mike Berry ('17 construction engr) has been promoted to superintendent with Graham Construction Co. in Des Moines.

Shea Daniels ('07 computer sci), lead software engineer at Dwolla in Des Moines, has been named one of the Technology Association of Iowa's 2019 "Catalysts." This year's Catalyst honorees are recognized for promoting underrepresented groups in Iowa's technology industries with policies and advocacy to build a diverse workforce in the state.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has appointed Judge Paul Ahlers (L)('91 finance) of Fort Dodge to the nine-member Iowa Court of Appeals.

Brett Burkhart ('04 liberal studies) has been hired as chief of staff at Kreg Tool Company in Huxley, Iowa.

Dan Levi (L)('97 arch) of Levi Architects in Des Moines is one of the inaugural recipients of the "Golden Rattle Award," an honor established by the Iowa Women's Foundation to recognize individuals who have made strides toward combating the state of Iowa's child care crisis. Levi is credited with developing and donating the architectural designs for "Child Care Center in a Box," a project intended to fast-track the building and expansion of local child care centers. He also was recognized for his extensive volunteer work with communities across the state to ensure their child care projects are successful and sustainable.

Scott Jean ('93 math) has been named president and treasurer of EMC Insurance Cos., effective Jan. 3, 2020. Currently EMC's executive vice president for finance and strategy, Jean replaces the retiring Bruce Kelley. Jean, who is a fellow of the Casualty Actuarial Society and member of the American Academy of Actuaries, has been employed with EMC since 1991.

The University of Missouri Press is pleased to announce the publication of "Disestablishment and Religious Dissent: Church-State Relations in the New American States, 1776–1833," which is co-edited by Carl Esbeck ('70 mech engr).

Allee Wengert ('14 journalism) has joined the Ames (Iowa) Chamber of Commerce and Ames Economic Development Commission staff as marketing coordinator. She will oversee video and graphic design, support digital marketing, develop content, and coordinate advertising for the organization.

Christa Catherall Williams ('93 finance), vice president of consulting services and one of the founding members of Signature Performance, Inc., in Richmond, Texas, recently received the 2019 Leading for Impact, Women in Leadership Award. This award recognizes women who create impact leading organizations and mission-focused strategic programs across the federal technology, health, and the consulting community. Williams’ vast technical expertise of patient accounting and claims processing, as well as her knowledge of MHS business practices was instrumental in leading the Department of Defense’s (DoD) revenue cycle expansion project within MHS GENESIS. She is a primary subject matter expert for all healthcare revenue cycle workflows, system functionality, and change management/adoption needs. Her expertise has been invaluable in taking functional requirements and translating them into electronic health record configuration, improving workflow and enabling business standardization and efficiencies that drive improvement in healthcare experiences for clinicians, support staff, and most importantly beneficiaries. “In my career, as with the other awardees, there have been hard roads and defining moments that shape the leader within you,” Williams said. “However, as time passes, those defining moments become the path and the way forward. I would have never been able to navigate those moments without the many people who have stood to my left and to my right. They helped shape me into the person I am today.” Williams was presented with her award at the 2019 Leading for Impact, Women in Leadership Conference on Oct. 30 at the Women’s Memorial in Arlington, Virginia.

Adam Obrecht (L)('98 ag bus) has been elected to the Urbandale (Iowa) City Council. He is the owner of AO Wealth Advisory and former president of the Urbandale School Board and ran for the council on a public safety platform.

Jeremy Shepherd ('02 civil engr) has been hired as vice president, land development with Development Services Corp., in Des Moines.

A painting by retired Wisconsin museum administrator Cheryl Stidwell Parker (MA '91 art & design) received first place at the 57th annual juried exhibition at the Frances Hardy Gallery in Ephraim, Wisconsin.

Adrienne Nelson ('09 interior design, MA '13 arch), AIA, LEED GA, an associate at Pickard Chilton, has been named one of ENR New England's 2020 Top Young Professionals. The annual award recognizes the best and brightest emerging design and construction leaders from across the New England region. Nelson is one of 10 professionals under 40 who received the honor this year.

Ed Chabal (A)('82 ag bus) has been elected vice president of the Association of School Business Officials. His term will begin Jan. 1, 2020, and he will become president of the organization in 2021. Chabal is the chief financial officer for Mt. Pleasant Community School District in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. He is only the second Iowan ever elected to the post -- and the first since 1939.

Michael "Mick" Pechan (PhD '77 physics) retired from the faculty of Miami University's physics department, where he served 11 years as department chair. Since 2014, Pechan has been working for the U.S. Department of Energy as program manager for basic energy science.

Rachelle Justice ('04 chemistry) has published her second book: Singularity for Baby: Preparing Your Child for the Coming Overlords, under the pen name R.E. Lane. Singularity for Baby is a tongue-in-cheek concept picture book, touring through tomorrow's technology today. On first view, it is filled with the imaginary slang and bright, happy possibilities of advancing technology. Further examination, with a secondary text (hidden in binary, but translated in the back), injects a dose of dark humor into the mix. This is the perfect book for the delightfully eccentric, the proudly nerdy parents, and their growing broods.

Ron Loch (L)(’87 ag journalism) has been named chief operating officer of G&S Business Communications. He is responsible for integrating strategies and managing daily operations across the agency’s account services, finance, and HR teams. He will also manage the agency’s partnership in global PR network PROI Worldwide, which provides services in 50 countries. G&S is O'Dwyer's No. 15 ranked independent firm with $30.5M in fees last year.

John Walsh ('86 marketing) has been promoted to Group CEO for Communications, Media & Technology Business with Accenture, a leading global professional services company to which he has provided 33 years of service. In the new role, Walsh will oversee an operating group that had $8.8 billion in revenues in fiscal 2019 and join Accenture's Global Management Committee.

Jake Swanson (L)(’14 global resource systems) has accepted a position as the ag policy adviser to Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds.

Jake Swanson (L)(’14 global resource systems) has accepted a position as the ag policy adviser to Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds.

Jason Arment (’12 English) of Denver, Colo., is the author of the 2018 war memoir “Musalaheen” (University of Hell Press), which describes Arment's time serving as a machine gunner for the U.S. Marine Corps during Operation Iraqi Freedom and chronicles the occupation of the country in chilling detail from a boots-on the ground perspective. The title of the book is Arabic for "gunslinger." This is the first full-length effort from Arment, who had been previously been published extensively in short form. He also oversaw a veteran's stories program for Colorado Humanities that resulted in the book "Still Coming Home."

Jane Hoegh ('88 home ec ed, MS '03) -- a family and consumer sciences instructor at Hampton-Dumont (Iowa) High School -- has been named the Iowa Restaurant Association's 2019 "ProStart Educator of Excellence" in the organization's annual awards ceremony held Nov. 18 in Des Moines.

Ben Bruns (L)('01 construction engr) has joined The Boldt Company in Appleton, Wis. -- a 130-year-old general contracting firm with more than 2,000 employees in 14 offices across the U.S. He has been named to Boldt's leadership team after more than 18 years in construction project management, engineering, and business development with The Weitz Company in Des Moines. As executive vice president for Boldt's Northern Operations group, Bruns will direct the company's Wisconsin offices in Green Bay, Appleton, and Stevens Point.

Colin McNiece (L)('96 community & regional planning, MCRP '98) is now the general counsel at the Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency, where he serves as a key strategic adviser to the MassHousing Board and works closely with rest of the executive team on all aspects of the agency’s business to confront the challenges of affordable housing. A planner and attorney, McNiece has dedicated his career to community development. Prior to joining MassHousing, he held roles as bond, borrower, underwriter and bank counsel as a public finance attorney at a Boston law firm and as the chief planner and then economic development director for the City of Lowell, Massachusetts.

Anna Bruen (MCRP '14 community & regional planning, MS '14 sustainable ag) has been awarded the Robert Bosch Foundation Fellowship, which aims to foster a community of American leaders who have first-hand experience in the political, economic, and cultural environment of Germany and the European Union. This distinguished transatlantic initiative offers a select cohort of accomplished Americans the opportunity to complete a comprehensive intercultural professional program in Germany comprising three main components: individual professional assignments, professional seminars, and German language training. While in Germany, Bruen will explore circular food systems and the relationship between large and small cities in the context of climate change.

Zina Alaswad (MFA '13 interior design, PhD '17 education) has joined Texas State University in San Marcos as an assistant professor of interior design.

Jon Kamrath ('08 integrated visual arts) is the author of "Don't Forget to Brush Your Teeth" -- a children's tale of adventure with robot friends told in six-word statements.

Curt Liljedahl (A)('83 agronomy) is the author of "Fix the Problem and Other Life Lessons from a Pragmatic Dad" -- a collection of advice Liljedahl says he started recording when his daughters were approaching the age of "leaving the nest for good."

Gordon Eggleton (A)('65 chem) has been inducted into the Oklahoma Higher Education Heritage Society Hall of Fame. The honor is in recognition of outstanding achievements during more than 40 years of chemistry teaching, research, and service at Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant, Okla.

Now available on Amazon.com - Shannon Laine's charming Christmas tale "Trap for Santa". I did the digital illustrations, using Adobe illustrator, for Shannon's book. Book design and layout by Davis Creative, St. Louis.

Won the 2019 Iowa NCWIT Aspirations in Computing Educator Award!

Took a full time role as an Industrial Engineer in New Product Introduction in Melbourne, FL!

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.

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.