Alumni Voices
’80s
Karla Wright (‘80 industrial administration)
After a fulfilling career, I am now retired. I was recently appointed as an organizing regent of a new chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). The DAR is a philanthropic organization focusing on education, historic preservation, and patriotism. The Iowa Gold Star Military Museum at Camp Dodge, Johnston, Iowa, is our home base.
Lawrence Luh (’81 MBA, minor in finance)
I was proudly featured on the official Facebook page of the Ivy College of Business on September 14, 2023. It’s believed that the college will honor the 50th anniversary of its MBA program in the coming months.
Alison (Retz) Law (‘81 industrial administration, accounting)
2023 was a year of change! Mark and I moved from Florida to Seattle, and love it! I retired as a CPA and professional volunteer a few years ago and spend my time taking photos, sewing, and knitting/crocheting. Downsizing was hard, and I’m still trying to fit my sewing and crafting into a corner. I’m currently making my own desk/table to help organize my life!
Ken Wilmot (‘85 accounting)
I recently retired as the SVP and assistant to the CEO of Associated Electric Cooperative in Springfield, Missouri. I had a great career (38 years) in the utility industry that began while I was at ISU.
Rick Ball (‘86 marketing)
Founding Partner of Ball Team, LLC providing construction services throughout Iowa. Our firm completes $45-50 million in new commercial construction each year. We recently completed renovations at the State Historical Building and Des Moines Golf and Country Club. The firm was established in 2011. I am married with three adult children – Megan, Amanda, and Sarah.
Babu G. Baradwaj (‘86 business administrative science)
Going on from the master’s degree, I secured a PhD in finance from Texas A&M in 1991. Starting at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in 1990, the career continued at Towson University in Maryland from 2001. Effective the end of 2023, I retired as professor of finance from Towson University after spending 23 years at Towson University including serving as department chair between 2012-2019.
Steve Starr (‘87 accounting, minor in management information systems)
How to write an update on 37 years’ worth of happenings? I am enjoying a wonderful career, four kids and six grandchildren. My most exciting update would be the publishing of my first fiction novel Touchdown Dream (spoiler alert: most of it takes place at ISU). Working on books two and three currently. Enjoying ISU sports and cheering on alumni playing in the NFL.
Christopher Lindgren (‘89 management)
I’m currently an assistant store manager with Marshalls in Maryville, Missouri.
Todd Owen (‘89 marketing)
After a career of 30 years away from Iowa, I recently accepted a position and relocated to my hometown of Cedar Rapids. I am now the director of franchising for everything west of the Mississippi River for Potbelly Sandwich Works, based in Chicago, Illinois.
’90s
Dave Steele (‘90 transportation and logistics)
Celebrating 28 years at the “Happiest Place on Earth.” Serving as director of operations at the Disneyland Resort, helping make magical memories in California, Florida, Hawaii, Hong Kong, and Shanghai.
Tom Schaeuble (‘90 marketing)
Upon graduation, I began working in sales at Maytag (six years) and Pfizer Pharmaceuticals (12 years). I have an incredible job helping mostly seniors in the healthcare industry. I currently own/operate Caring Hearts Home Care in West Des Moines, Iowa, with my wife, Susan (11+ years). I live in Cumming, Iowa, and have three amazing boys: Jack (’25 management information systems); Will, SAIC, Chicago, Illinois, (’22 art); and Harrison (’20 management).
Scott Brugh (‘95 marketing)
I co-founded Arizona Elevator Solutions in 2007, which has grown to be the largest independent elevator contractor in Arizona. The company sold in October 2023 and partnered with Gauge Capital/Axxiom Elevator Group. After significantly reinvesting in the new private equity elevator group, I am continuing to run Arizona Elevator Solutions and am assisting in the company integration as they acquire other top-performing independent elevator companies to grow the portfolio nationwide.
Tiffany Hofer Mercuri (‘95 BBA, transportation and logistics)
I am currently the vice president of supply chain and sourcing for Clasen Quality Chocolate in Madison, Wisconsin. The company manufactures chocolate and compound coatings as ingredients for large CPG firms and finished goods for private-label retailers. The best part of my job is sourcing materials from all over the world and impacting cocoa farmers in West Africa through CQC sustainability programs. I live in Waunakee, Wisconsin, with my husband Greg (‘95 zoology) and our kids, Erin and Michael.
Andrew Albinger (‘97 management information systems)
As the senior manager of research technology in IT services, I am responsible for the direction of the information technology experts who run multiple clusters of high-performance computers, scalable research storage, packaging, and support of open source and commercial software packages and coordination of university-wide research computing efforts.
Mary Paque (‘98 accounting)
I work at the Memorial Union in the custodial department as a custodian. I have been at the Memorial Union since 2001. Each December, I have gone back to the Gerdin Business Building to participate in the Contemporary Accounting Conference.
Barbara Shull (‘99 finance)
I have worked for Freedom Bank in Waukon, Iowa, since June 2009. I have been promoted to senior vice president and executive officer. I focus on real estate, commercial, consumer, and small ag loans. I have been married to Andy Shull (’99 transportation and logistics) since 2000. Over the years, I have utilized many areas of my finance degree. I previously worked for Wellmark/Cahaba GBA, did purchasing for Fabral, a fabricator of metal roofing and siding, a controller for food service distributor.
’00s
Mandy (Strotman) Dummermuth (‘00 management)
Celebrating 20 years of self-employment with TRES-Training, Recruiting & Employment Services, married to Chad (’99 agricultural business, ’05 MS agronomy) and proud mom to Emma (’26 music education), Audrey, and Conner!
Robin Greubel (‘01 MBA)
I founded the K9Sensus Foundation and bring science-based education to detection canine trainers around the world. At K9Sensus, we coach public safety and volunteer professionals to decode animal behavior. Coaching trainers on how to translate theory into practice and develop their technical skills, which increases the efficiency and efficacy of trainers, makes us all safer. I have certified narcotics, explosives, and FEMA canines and is an instructor/certifying official for several national organizations, including FEMA.
Brad Thacker (‘02 MBA)
I finished my MBA program at the same time I made a career move from academia (professor at ISU) to industry. I spent 18 years working for an animal health company as a swine technical services veterinarian with field-based research and marketing emphasis. The MBA program enabled great interactions with other, experienced students. I especially thank Danny Johnson, Jim McElroy, Jim Kurtenbach, Brad Schrader, Sangeev Agarwal and Max Wortman, who were excellent teachers and mentors.
Dave Makin (‘05 marketing)
As founder and chief mythical officer at CMO* To-Go, I bring a mythical touch to marketing, blending expertise and strategic foresight. With seven years at Nexus 6, a self-employed storyteller in West Des Moines, Iowa, and ventures like John’s Wicks, crafting candles for the modern man, my creativity shines. Co-founder of Thunderdome and past chief marketing officer at Spartan Carrier Group, my one year, five months in Fort Worth, Texas, left a lasting impact.
Liang-Yun Goh (Elizabeth) (‘05 management information systems)
I am taking Certified Scrum Master and Certified Associate in Project Management at NTUC LearningHub situated in Singapore. Wish me good luck to obtain both certifications!
Sara Jane Oftelie (‘06 MBA)
I’m a research program manager in the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Illinois.
Cassandra Marks (‘07 marketing)
Living life in the Pacific Northwest I have been keeping busy farming, remodeling homes, and have found a niche in helping others invest in their futures through real estate. Running a successful real estate business through a turbulent market has been tough but it’s about relationships first and real estate second. Caring for others, hard work and great marketing has helped, along with a growing YouTube channel educating folks looking to relocate to the Vancouver, Washington and Portland International Airport, and Oregon areas. Got real estate questions? I got you!
Jacque Butzke (‘09 management; minor in entrepreneurship)
I own Inspiring Dance in Grimes, Iowa. Our dance studio recently completed a new, state-of-the-art facility. This new building has five dance rooms, class observation monitors, locker room, and spacious lobby. We were awarded 2023 Business of the Year by the Grimes Chamber & Economic Development. We love providing dance education to the community of Grimes and surrounding areas.
Heather Ezell (‘09 management, marketing)
I am still living in Laramie, Wyoming, but last year was promoted to head women’s basketball coach at the University of Wyoming. I set the program record for wins for a first-year head coach last season with 23. Also, last season my wife and I welcomed our first child, a baby girl named Dylan.
’10s
Guillermo Cubas Norando (‘10 MBA; minor in agricultural business)
After 12 years working as international business manager for DLF Seeds in South America, I have launched my own seed business with three other partners named Pasture Genetics Uruguay. Regarding my family, I´m married to Grazziana and have three beautiful girls named Guadalupe (10), Agustina (8), and Juana (6).
Mohit Beniwal (‘12 MBA)
I completed my doctorate in October 2023. Now, I am assistant professor at Delhi School of Management, Delhi Technological University.
Karen Ferrera (‘12 marketing, management, international business)
I proudly completed my master’s degree in human resources. Venturing into the mortgage industry, I now play a pivotal role in HR, leading recruiting efforts and introducing HR software to efficiently manage onboarding and employee information. In a whirlwind of life’s adventures, I got married! My husband and I embarked on an entrepreneurial venture, offering fully furnished, flexible lease homes to the new era of renters.
Nick Harrington (‘16 management information systems; minor in marketing)
I am now working full-time in real estate in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I have built a small portfolio of rental properties that I own and manage, flip properties with some other Iowa State alumni that also live here, and am a top 10 percent real estate agent in the Milwaukee area. Before this, I actually helped to launch the brokerage (Compass) in Milwaukee that I now hold my real estate license with, and I helped grow the company from $0 in market share to now over $850 million in total sales.
Jessica (Graham) Sears (‘16 management; minor in entrepreneurship)
I married Dillon Sears in October 2023, in Duluth, Minnesota.
Kaitlyn Weinert (‘16 marketing, supply chain management)
My husband (also a 2016 alum of the Ivy College of Business) and I welcomed our first child last summer, a baby boy, Abraham Michael Weinert! He has brought so much love and joy to our family and has made our Cyclone game days extra cute. Future Cyclone?! We will see! Go Cyclones!
Kyle Janssen (‘16 supply chain management)
Since graduating in December 2016, I continued my educational journey by receiving an MBA in leadership. While completing my MBA, I graduated from the Army Special Forces Qualification Course – becoming an Army Green Beret. As for my civilian career, I support our men and women serving in the U.S. Navy; ensuring a safer and more secure future. Currently, I’m reviewing various doctoral programs so I can better support our Armed Forces and veteran community.
Maggie Klocke (‘17 marketing)
I obtained my certified meeting professional (CMP) designation in 2020 and am currently an education coordinator for the Iowa Bankers Association. I create marketing materials and plan events for Iowa banks to send their employees to for training and continuing education.
Nick Krone (‘17 marketing)
I graduated from Saint Louis University School of Law and passed the Missouri bar exam 2023. I am now an attorney practice commercial litigation at Armstrong Teasdale LLP in St. Louis.
Max Mussell (‘17 marketing)
After years of hard work, I’m thrilled to say TipTop is officially launching in Madison, Wisconsin! It’s been a dream of mine to build the business, and I’ve been humbled by the support of the Iowa State alumni community. A uniquely human business, our mission at TipTop is to highlight and elevate the stories behind the talented service providers in our local communities while offering them a platform on which to build and grow their businesses. Learn more about TipTop at jointiptop.com!
Josh Hewitt (‘17 marketing)
Currently working as a marketing director for Sam Summers (who also graduated from ISU) in relation to Val Air Ballroom, which opened on February 29 in Des Moines, Iowa, with our first show Greensky Bluegrass (https://www.firstfleetconcerts.com/events/detail/greensky-bluegrass-509838). We also own and operate Wooly’s in the East Village in Des Moines (woolysdm.com), and Capitol Theatre in Davenport, Iowa (capitoltheatreqc.com). I help organize and operate Hinterland Music Festival as well.
Liz Zweibohmer (‘18 supply chain management, marketing)
I currently serve as the executive director at New Horizons Chamber of Commerce in New Hampton, Iowa. My husband Andrew (‘18 agricultural studies) and I had our first child in July!
Ruosong Wei (‘18 master of finance)
Throughout my journey, I have specialized in the field of IR/PR and have gained experience in translating professional IPO/finance related documents (CN/EN), crafting comprehensive company research reports, and maintaining media channels. Ivy’s exceptional guidance and my work experience at ISSO have truly equipped me with the necessary skills to thrive in my chosen field.
Nolan Hickey (‘18 supply chain management; minor in accounting)
I have a new role as a customer marketing manager at Sylvamo.
Jack Ermisch (‘19 accounting)
In the last year, I got a new puppy, got married, and bought a house with my husband (who I met while attending ISU)! I am running my own luxury and designer clothing resale business that I started while in college and it is doing better than ever. Each year it grows and I become more knowledgeable in the field. I also run a YouTube channel and Instagram about it called Jack Valentine! Thanks, ISU, for giving me the knowledge to do my taxes myself.
Laynee Rietz (‘19 management)
I’ve remained with the same company I joined post-graduation. Parallel to this, I’ve established a successful branding photography business. My work has led to exciting collaborations with renowned companies like Kum & Go and Google. Outside of work, I’m committed to building community ties, actively networking with small businesses and supporting causes close to my heart, including LGBTQIA+ and children’s charities.
Kristine Tyler (‘19 business analytics)
I’m working for Excelsior University, on the business intelligence team.
Rob Kitchen (‘19 management information systems)
I was selected for a lateral move within Joint Munitions Command into a brand-new data and analytics task force. As a data and analytics officer, I am utilizing the tools and techniques that my ISU degree introduced me to. It’s been great to add real-world context and data to what we practiced in management information systems classes!
Zach Garnett (‘19 management information systems; minor in management)
Since graduating, I have worked for two different consulting companies. One local to the Des Moines area, where my wife and I moved to immediately after I graduated, and one that is local to Atlanta, Georgia. I am currently working remotely as a senior cloud consultant and azure architect for the Atlanta company. I enjoy every bit of my job and happy to stay close to home so my family and I can regularly attend Cyclone sporting events. Go Clones!
Mark Neyens (‘19 MBA)
I exchanged vows with Nicole Langmaid, a devoted Cyclone fan, on February 2. We celebrated our union in a small, intimate ceremony in Des Moines, Iowa, and then embarked on a honeymoon in Thailand, marking the beginning of this exciting new chapter in our lives!
Riley Marvin (‘19 finance)
Since graduating in 2019, I have started and grown Alpha Landscapes into one of the largest new construction landscape contractors in Iowa. We employ nearly 50 team members and had revenues of $10.8 million in 2023. We serve local general contractors, developers, home builders, municipalities, and the Iowa DOT with full-service landscape installation services. I take pride in turning our central Iowa communities “green” with every new building or roadway we landscape!
’20s
Reagan Brackey (‘20 marketing)
Since graduation, I have relocated to the island of Oahu, Hawaii. I am now working for a local PR/marketing agency as an integrated marketing manager at PacRim Marketing Group. We specialize in the Asia traveler market as multicultural, data-driven, integrated marketing experts in travel, tourism, and hospitality.
Kayden (Lindahl) Minton (‘20 management)
I got my current job in 2020. I recently furthered my education to obtain an accounting degree as well. I am now the lead accountant and office manager of a small accounting firm in West Des Moines, Iowa. I manage payroll, taxes, and bookkeeping for over 40 small businesses across Iowa, with two additional businesses in Florida! Iowa State provided the foundation necessary for my career!
Mike Macri III (‘21 master of real estate development)
Since graduating, I’ve continued my career in real estate as the vice president at CBRE, Inc in the West Des Moines, Iowa, office, specializing in brokerage transactional services, development, and real estate consulting. In fall 2023, I began as an adjunct professor of practice in the MRED program teaching real estate development. I have also served as the president of the Iowa CCIM chapter and was inducted into the Councilors of Real Estate (CRE) organization in 2024.
Isabella Foster (‘21 supply chain management, international business, Spanish)
I have recently been promoted from logistics specialist to supply chain planner for Zinpro Corporation. I will now be in the middle of the supply chain between production planning and our international offices. I will be focused on product availability for domestic orders, international orders, and our domestic warehouses. Ivy has prepared me well for this next step!
Jasmine Sanchez (‘21 marketing; minor in management)
I now work for the American Society of Radiologic Technologists Foundation as the fundraising coordinator. I help create funding for medical imaging and radiation therapy students and professionals. My position is remote and I still work here in Ames, Iowa.
Adriana (Alvarez) Tigges (‘21 management, international business)
Currently residing in Grimes, Iowa, with my husband and soon-to-arrive baby. I began my career in agricultural technology in Iowa after graduation. Iowa State University provided me with an invaluable European experience. Now, as a remote U.S. customer success and technical sales manager at Cloudfarms in Bratislava, Slovakia, near Vienna, Austria. I’m enthusiastic about driving advancements in agricultural technology to enhance production efficiency and streamline workflows.
Jillian Panko (‘22 marketing)
I have worked at GRX Marketing in Des Moines, Iowa, since June 2022, and have loved every minute of it. I got engaged in December 2022, and just became a homeowner with my fiancé!
Yadav Jyothi (‘22 master of information systems)
After securing a full-time position in the tech industry months before I graduated with my master’s degree from the Ivy College of Business, I was able to excel and rise to a senior leadership role within just eight months after I commenced work post school in Chicago, Illinois. On a personal note, I am getting married in March 2024 to my to-be wife who I met at Iowa State University back when we were first pursuing our undergraduate degrees in 2016.
Kegan Wall (‘23 MBA)
I started my first full-time position working as a quality engineer with Walmart within their Iowa distribution center. I will be working on process improvements and quality concerns within the plant! Additionally, I will be getting married this May to my fiancé who is also an Iowa State grad, which is where we met!
Zayna Bardawil (‘23 marketing, management)
After graduating in May 2023, I moved to Omaha, Nebraska, to work for ABF Freight in their management training program. I learned so much about the day-to-day operations of a facility in the trucking industry and what it takes to be a manager. After the three-month program was over, I decided to try a new field of work by taking a position as project coordinator at Convergint Technologies. Here, I help out the project managers by overseeing all project details from start to finish. But as always, go state!
Spring 2024
Fall 2023
Spring 2023
