Events

Panel Discussion Participants:

Melodee Pomerantz, Executive Director of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation - Iowa Chapter
Carrie Hansen, Person Living with CF
Drew Strube, Waukee Rotary President, National Advocacy Co-Chair, and father of Major.

Melodee Pomerantz is the Executive Director of Cystic Fibrosis Iowa Chapter she utilizes her strong ties to the community to maximize fundraising potential. She works with the community and volunteers, to raise funds to find a cure for cystic fibrosis.
The Iowa Chapter assists with five Great Strides Walks around the state of Iowa that raises money grass roots style. The Iowa Chapter also provides strategic direction and practical oversight to 65 Roses, New Leaders of Des Moines, Shoot for a Cure, and Corks and Kegs. The Iowa Chapter will also direct funds for planned giving and major gifts.

Prior to coming to CFF she owned her own event planning and marketing company, Pomerantz Events. She was responsible for décor for the Senior Open, ground breaking and building opening for many of the major insurance companies, and signature events that exist today such as Jazz, Jewells, and Jeans and Passport to Prosperity. 

Cindy Axne is an Iowan, a small business owner, parent and community activist – and now a candidate for Congress from Iowa’s 3rd District.

A fifth-generation Iowan, Cindy grew up in a tight-knit family on the south side of Des Moines. Cindy’s childhood included weekends and summers spent on her maternal grandparents’ farm in Warren County, 4-H activities, and playing 6-on-6 basketball for the Valley High Tigers. Her parents raised Cindy and her sisters to speak their minds and not be afraid to take on tough fights – even when it was uncomfortable. That is the principle that has defined Cindy’s adult life – from working to keep state government accountable to the people it serves, to advocating for all-day kindergarten for every child in West Des Moines and fighting to stop a local government plan to use state park land and private property to build an unnecessary new road.

Following her graduation from the University of Iowa, Cindy worked in strategic planning and leadership development for the Tribune Company in Chicago and earned an MBA from the Kellogg School at Northwestern University. She and her husband John later moved to Wisconsin, where they started their small business. When their sons were 3 and 1, Cindy and John moved back to Iowa to raise their family in her home town.

In 2007, when her older son started kindergarten, Cindy learned that full-day kindergarten was not available to every child in West Des Moines public schools, with eligibility determined by a lottery. Cindy was outraged at the inequity of the system and concerned that students were being shortchanged. She spent the following academic year advocating and negotiating with principals, the school board and the superintendent. After nearly a year, her efforts paid off and full-day kindergarten was made available to all students in the district.

From 2005 to 2014, Cindy worked for the State of Iowa, helping over twenty different state agencies deliver government services more effectively and efficiently for taxpayers. Since then, she has focused on growing the digital design firm she runs with her husband John.

Cindy is active in her church, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, and serves as a mentor with the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center at the University of Iowa. She lives in West Des Moines with John and their teenage sons, Gunnar and Rafe.

Clive Rainey joined Habitat for Humanity International on April 1, 1977, soon after the organi­zation was formed, becoming the first HFHI volunteer. Rainey brought the concept of “sweat equity” to Habitat after learning of a hous­ing development in Ohio where homeowners contributed labor in lieu of a down payment.

DARIAN DeVRIES
DRAKE UNIVERSITY
HEAD BASKETBALL COCACH

Drake University's men's head backetball coach Darian DeVries  is a  veteran coach with experience in the BIG EAST and Missouri Valley Conferences, DeVries was previously an assistant coach at Creighton University for 17 years and spent 20 total seasons on staff with the Bluejays. During that span, he helped guide the Bluejays to 19 postseason appearances and 12 NCAA Tournament berths.

DeVries is one of the longest-tenured men's basketball assistant coaches at one school in the nation and recently assisted the Bluejays in their fifth NCAA Tournament appearance in the last seven years. During his time on the Creighton staff under both Dana Altman and Greg McDermott, the program has accumulated a record of 460-211 and 231-129 in conference games. 
 
Under his guidance, Creighton has had 15 first-team all-conference selections, six conference Players of the Year, three Newcomers of the Year, three Freshmen of the Year and three Defensive Players of the Year. CU has also had six All-American honorees in that time, including Doug McDermott, the first player in 30 years to be named a First Team All-American by the AP in three straight seasons.

Before joining Creighton, DeVries already had an extensive background in the Valley as a starter at UNI under coach Eldon Miller. DeVries ranks 31st all-time in career scoring at UNI with 1,084 points and was twice an MVC Scholar-Athlete Team selection. The two-time UNI captain led the Panthers in three-point shooting three years and converted on 44 percent of his attempts as a senior with 3.1 assists per game.
 
DeVries graduated from UNI in 1998 with a B.A. in elementary education and a minor in physical education. He earned his master's degree in college counseling from Creighton in 2000.
  
Darian and his wife, Ashley, have one son, Tucker (16) and one daughter, Tatum (10).
 

Michael Happe
President and Chief Executive Officer
Winnebago Industries, Inc. 

Michael Happe was appointed to the position of President and Chief Executive Officer of Winnebago Industries on January 18, 2016. Michael also sits on the Company’s Board of Directors. He is responsible for the overall vision and strategic direction of the Winnebago enterprise, and especially accountable for nurturing and strengthening a culture that cares deeply for its employees and customers. 

Winnebago Industries is a leading U.S. manufacturer of outdoor lifestyle products under the Winnebago, Grand Design, and Chris-Craft brands, which are used primarily in leisure travel and outdoor recreation activities. The Company builds quality motor homes, travel trailers, fifth wheel products, and premium boats. Winnebago Industries has executive offices located in Eden Prairie, Minnesota and facilities elsewhere in Iowa, Indiana, Oregon, and Florida. Winnebago was founded in 1958, and is a public company listed on the New York and Chicago stock exchanges, traded under the symbol of WGO. Trailing twelve-month revenue is approximately $2 billion. 

Michael served most recently as an Executive Officer and Group Vice President at The Toro Company. During his 19 years at Toro, he held a series of senior leadership positions across a variety of TTC’s domestic and international divisions. 

Michael resides in the Twin Cities with his wife Shannon and their family. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism from the William Allen White School at the University of Kansas. Michael also received a Master of Business Administration degree from the Carlson School at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. He is active in several community, academic, and industry initiatives and boards. 

McKenna stepped up to the 360 class in 2017, and had a steady season, finishing twelfth in the final point standings. McKenna has firmly established herself as one of the most popular drivers, especially with young fans. Proof of that comes with her distinction of being the "Junior Fan Club Driver of the Year" in her respective classes the last four years in a row!  

McKenna added another 305 win to her young impressive resume in 2016. She added six podium finishes and ten top fives to finish third in the 305 standings. 

She made history in 2015, becoming the first woman in the history of Knoxville Raceway to win a sprint car feature event. That win came a day before her valedictorian speech at her high school graduation. After receiving press both locally and nationally with ESPN, she would show it wasn't a fluke by picking up another victory during the season, which propelled her to a fourth place standing in the points race.

After a very successful young career in Outlaw dirt karts and micro-sprints, she came home 11th in the 2014 point standings after a steady progression all season.  

360 Point Standing by Year:

• 2017 - 12th​
• 305 Point Standing by Year:
  2016 - 3rd
  2015 - 4th
  2014 - 11th

Niki DePhillips 
Senior Vice President of Store Development
Kum and Go

Niki DePhillips leads the Store Development Department as the Senior Vice President of Store Development at Kum & Go. In this role she oversees all activities related to site selection, government approvals, construction and asset management of 20-30 new convenience stores annually. Niki recently led the design and construction for the Krause Gateway Center built in downtown Des Moines.  Additionally, she leads the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Initiative, including sustainability, for Krause Group.  Niki sits on the Senior Leadership Team for both Kum & Go and Krause Group. 

Niki joined the company after graduation from college and has held various roles in the Real Estate and Grow People (HR) departments of Kum & Go. These include: Vice President of Real Estate, Director of Real Estate, Real Estate Manager, Director of Recruitment and Retention (HR), and Interim Senior Vice President of Grow People. 

A dedicated community and business leader, Niki is a Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) and received her Six Sigma Greenbelt Certification. Niki’s community involvement includes serving on the board for the State of Iowa Renewable Fuels Infrastructure and Operation Downtown. In the past, Niki served on the board for Habitat for Humanity, the Iowa CCIM Chapter and the City of Waukee’s Economic Development Council. She is also involved with United Way Emerging Leaders, Iowa Commercial Real Estate Association and the International Council of Shopping Centers.  

Niki won the ICREA“Industry Impact Award” in 2012. She was honored as a “Forty under 40” by the Business Record in 2014. In 2016, she received recognition as “Woman of the Year” byTWICand “Top Women in Convenience” by NACS. 

Niki has a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Iowa State University and a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Iowa.

The Annual DMAM Santa Program is a fun way to call out members who made Santa's naughty and nice list! 

To clarify...this is not a program for young ones, so please do not bring them to this meeting.  They would be terribly disappointed as Santa will not have treats or gifts for them!

DMAM Rotary meeting at Capitol View Elementary School, 320 E 16th St, Des Moines, IA 50316.
 

FOUNDERS DAY LOCATIONS – January 11th

A DMAM Founders Day is a throwback to the days when meetings were held at members’ businesses. In fact, the name Rotary originated from acknowledging the rotation of meeting locations.  For our January 11^thmeeting, members can sign up to attend Rotary at one of three locations.  We ask that you sign up by January 4^th.  Those signing up late may be reassigned to another location if their original choice is at capacity.  Sign-up sheets will be available at upcoming meetings.  Choose from the following:

Saxton, Inc. – Kim Augspurger, Owner & President
108 3^rdSt., Suite 100,  Des Moines  
(Attendance Limited to 30)

R&R Realty – Adam Kaduce, Sales & Leasing Vice President
Meeting to be held at their new Westfield Complex
1080 Jordan Creek Parkway, West Des Moines
(Attendance Limited to 50)

MTS Iowa, dba Majestic Truck Collision & Frame Repair – Marc Hyland, Owner
503 1^stAvenue N., Altoona
(Attendance Limited to 30)

NOTE:  Members must sign-up for the location they want to attend in advance!

Kris Saddoris serves as Vice President of Development for Hubbell Realty Company, directing the Development division of Hubbell.  She provides strategic insight and planning for the division and works with developments ranging from multi-family housing, mixed use development, affordable housing, retail and industrial warehouses. Hubbell Realty currently has over one million square feet in approximately 1,000 units under development in Greater Des Moines, as well as Des Moines’ newest 75 acre urban neighborhood, Gray’s Station.  

She serves as Vice President of the Board of Directors for HOME, Inc., a local non-profit affordable housing developer and as Chair of the Downtown Economic Development Committee.  She is a member of ULI Iowa, CREW Iowa and was a national CREW Impact Award nominee.  Kris was named one of the “15 People to watch in 2016” by theDes Moines Registerand recognized as the 2016 Citizen of the Year by the Downtown Des Moines Chamber.  Ms. Saddoris holds both a BS and an MBA degree from Iowa State University. 

Courtney Crowder is the first female Iowa Columnist for the Des Moines Register and a founding coach with the Des Moines Storytellers Project. She focuses on telling human stories with an investigative eye and a narrative touch. A graduate of New York University, Crowder is a gummy bear aficionado and a parallel parking master acquainting herself with gravel roads. Her Storytellers colleagues are Brian Smith, engagement editor, and Allen Vaughn, consumer experience director.

Note:  Courtney will lead the presentation,  but Brian and Allen will be a part of the Q&A session.

Storytelling to create REAL change.

Description: You’ve got to make people feel something to make them believe it. Using the Des Moines Storytellers Project model, Courtney Crowder and her colleagues from the Des Moines Register help regular people tell a 10 minute story with a meaning and a point. In each of these stories, these people own their space, deliver their truth and change minds – and communities – in the process. In today’s discussion Crowder and her colleagues will discuss the mission of the project, how they coach people to tell and how they throw one of these events. 

Nora Everett
President of Retirement and Income Solutions (RIS) and
Chairman of Principal Funds PFG

Nora Everett is president of Retirement and Income Solutions (RIS) and chairman of Principal Funds at Principal Financial Group^®. She is responsible for U.S. retirement, annuity, broker-dealer and banking businesses at Principal^®.

Everett joined Principal in 1991 as an attorney and was promoted to senior vice president and deputy general counsel in 2004. She was promoted to senior vice president, Retirement and Investor Services and President of Principal Funds in 2008, and CEO of Principal Funds in 2010. Everett was promoted to her current position in 2015. Prior to joining Principal, she practiced law in Washington, D.C.

She earned her bachelor’s degree and Phi Beta Kappa honors from Iowa State University and her J.D. degree from William & Mary Law School. Everett serves on several boards, including Principal Funds, Principal International, Principal Asset Management Company (Asia) Limited in Hong Kong,Origin Asset Management, Finisterre Capital, United Way of Central Iowa, Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines and Greater Des Moines Partnership. She also serves on the Investment Company Institute’s Board of Governors.

About Principal^®

Principal Financial Group^®(NYSE:PFG) helps people and companies around the world build, protect and advance their financial well-being through retirement, insurance and asset management solutions that fit their lives. Our employees are passionate about helping clients of all income and portfolio sizes achieve their goals – offering innovative ideas, investment expertise and real-life solutions to make financial progress possible. To find out more, visit us at principal.com.

Mary Vermeer Andringa, Chair of the Board
Vermeer Corporation
Pella, Iowa

Mary Vermeer Andringa is Chair of the Board at Vermeer Corporation, a global industrial and agricultural equipment company headquartered in Pella.  Prior to assuming her current role in 2015, she was CEO and Chair of the Board for one year and President and CEO for five years.  Earlier roles at Vermeer included Co-CEO and COO, focusing on her passion for continuous improvement and innovation.

Ms. Andringa is a member of the B20, the private sector's channel into the G20, providing leadership on small business and entrepreneurship with the intent to use her voice to remove obstacles and create a better business environment for small businesses to thrive.  She also currently serves as the Vice President of the Iowa Business Council.

Ms. Andringa was inducted into IndustryWeek's Manufacturing Hall of Fame in 2013. She served a two-year term as chair of the National Association of Manufacturers, the nation's largest manufacturing association and has recently been named Honorary Vice Chair. She also served on President Obama's, Export Council where she represented manufacturing on important trade matters.  She is also a past member of the Export-Import Bank Advisory Committee.

Ms. Andringa credits her background in education for her inherent proficiency at leadership and inspiring team members to reach new heights in their personal and professional development.  After her degree from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, she taught in the Iowa public school system and later in Omaha, Nebraska, for approximately 6 years.  She recently completed a two-year term as the co-chair of the Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council and has been named one of the Top 100 CEOs in STEM by STEMconnector.

Brian Nelson: Disruptive Technologies, Crypto Currency Expert

Brian Nelson is an Exponential Technologies Entrepreneur, cofounder of 7tk (a private crypto currency club), and a Blockchain Advisor. His fingerprint on the history of Bitcoin was made in 2013 when he, and a couple of key partners, developed the very first surety bond solution for Bitcoin companies that ultimately led to the launch of the first regulatory-compliant Bitcoin exchanges in the U.S. Those exchanges are still around today and continue to play a major role in the massive growth of the ecosystem.  As a recognized figure in the Bitcoin and blockchain technology ecosystem, Brian has consulted with many of the top digital currency companies, spoken at numerous industry events, and was one of 40 industry insiders invited to attend the Blockchain Summit with Sir Richard Branson on Necker Island.