Events

Kevin Foley joined the Des Moines International Airport team in June 2008. Following several promotions he accepted the position of Executive Director in February of 2014.  Prior to joining the Airport, Mr. Foley served as an Associate Professor of Aviation for the University of Dubuque.  His professional experience also includes several key management roles with Dubuque Regional Airport, 1992 – 2000, and a stint as a corporate pilot. Kevin possesses a Master of Business Administration degree as well as a Bachelor of Science degree in Aviation Management. He is a certified flight instructor and a multi-engine commercial pilot.   

The Rotary Club of Des Moines will not meet at the Holiday Inn. Instead, members are encouraged to sign up to attend a meeting at a member's business as part of celebrating Vocational Service DMAM Rotary style!  A few meetings around town will be held simultaneously, so selecting and signing up to attend is important.  As usual, breakfast is included!

Dave Hataj is the second-generation president and owner of Edgerton Gear, Inc., a Wisconsin-based custom gear manufacturer, where he has worked for over 35 years. He is a Journeyman machinist, has a BA from University of California, Irvine, a Masters of Christian Studies from Regent College in Vancouver BC, and a doctorate from Bakke Graduate University, developing a curriculum called Craftsman with Character. The course introduces high school students to the trades and manufacturing as an excellent career path, while developing character and soft skills. The U.S. Navy has recently partnered with Dave to expand Craftsman with Character nationally.

CHRIS PORTER is the director of the artificial intelligence program at Drake University and an associate professor of computer science.  He is also co-founder of Innovation Profs LLC, a company that provides training and consulting on generative AI.  Prior to coming to Drake in 2016, Chris held postdoctoral positions at the University of Paris Diderot and the University of Florida.  He received a joint PhD in mathematics and philosophy from the University of Notre Dame and an undergraduate degree in mathematics from Gonzaga University.

Generative AI came to the forefront of the public eye in late 2022 with the release of ChatGPT.  Since then, many generative AI tools have been released, with significant improvements to existing tools as well as tools allowing for novel applications of AI.  In this presentation, I will lay out the state of generative AI in 2025, highlighting the latest trends and focusing specifically on ethical and legal issues raised by these new developments.

The Club will NOT BE MEETING at the Holiday Inn.  Instead, members can choose to attend a meeting hosted by a DMAM member at their business.

The Vocational Committee organizes and receives RSVPs from members regarding the meeting locations.  Our Founder's Day meetings are popular events for members.  RSVP information with locations can be found in our internal newsletter, the Monday Memo.  

Kevin O'Hare
Caitlin Clark's Shooting Coach

• Kevin graduated from Dowling in 1996 and went on to play basketball at St. Ambrose University, where we competed in 3 national tournaments.
• 24 years as Head freshman basketball coach at Dowling Catholic (385-96 - 80%)
• He's been training kids in basketball for 24 years
• Kevin has worked with Caitlin for the last 8 years (started when she was a sophomore in high school).  Her brothers played for us, and I had the opportunity to work with her cousins, one being Audrey Faber (5th leading scorer in Creighton history), so that is when the initial relationship was built. 

Real Job:

• Account Manager at Watercress Financial Group (4 years) - Home Improvement Financing 

Kevin Hall is the communications director for the Iowa Pork Producers Association, having served in that role since March of 2023. The Purchase Moore Hamann Bacon initiative he helped spearhead has won awards from the National Agri-Marketing Association, the American Advertising Fedration, and was named Best NIL Deal of 2023 by the Sports Business Journal. Prior to joining the Iowa Pork Producers, Kevin was the communications director for the Iowa Secretary of State for eight years. Before that, he spent some time as a political analyst and writer, worked on some presidential and gubernatorial campaigns, and going back many, many moons ago, he was a TV anchor and radio host. Kevin and his wife Laurie live in Ankeny. 

Carrie Kruse is the Economic Development Administrator for the City of Des Moines, where she conducts negotiations with developers, businesses, and others regarding the public participation necessary for desired economic development outcomes within the City of Des Moines.  Carrie proactively leads efforts to attract investment to the City of Des Moines through real estate development opportunities, the retention and existing of existing businesses, and increasing Des Moines' housing supply, while promoting Des Moines as an opportune place to do business.

Innovating for the Future at the Science Center of Iowa:
Since opening its doors in 1970, the Science Center of Iowa (SCI) has been a leader in science communication throughout the state. With a mission to engage and inspire Iowans on their lifelong journey of science learning, SCI continues to evolve alongside the rapid advancements in technology, artificial intelligence, medicine, agriculture, and space exploration. Discover how SCI is embracing these innovations to help visitors stay curious, informed, and connected to the changing world around them.

Jolie Pelds is the Director of Innovative STEM Teaching at the Science Center of Iowa. She received her undergraduate degree in Biology and a master’s degree in Science Education both from the University of Iowa. She has taught at both the secondary as well as collegiate levels. She joined SCI in 2014 and her current work at SCI allows her to strengthen STEM education across the state through professional development and the creation of educational programming for early learners, homeschoolers, parents, and teachers.

Rob Taylor is the Owner, Founder, and Master Distiller of Revelton Distilling Company, an international award-winning craft distillery located in Osceola, Iowa. 

Rob grew up on his family's farm in central Clarke County, where he raised Limousine cattle and grew corn, hay & soybeans. Rob's professional background includes extensive experience in the automotive industry as an ASE Certified Diesel mechanic, service director, and fixed operations consultant. He also managed a family-owned petroleum company for many years, specializing in synthetic lubricants and biofuels. In 2012, Rob was elected to the Iowa State House of Representatives, serving three terms before leaving politics in 2018 to focus on building and operating Revelton Distilling Company.  Rob is married to Dr. Christi Taylor, a practicing physician who serves as his partner and Gin Distiller at Revelton. Together, they have 4 adult children and 2 grandchildren who all had a part in building their business and actively help at the distillery on a regular basis.

Revelton Distilling Company first opened its doors to the public in December of 2020, after spending the previous 11 months building during the COVID pandemic.  It is now celebrated for its exceptional spirits, including Bourbon & Rye Whiskey, Mulberry & American gins, vodkas, and flavored liquors. The distillery sources ALL its grains (for the purpose of making whiskey) from southern Iowa and gives back 100% of its spent mash to its local farm partners as a high-quality feed source for livestock.  Revelton is now recognized as the fastest-growing distillery in Iowa and truly reflects the “buy local, support local” philosophy in everything they do.

...Here's to Good Times & Great Spirit

EembarJeffries,  a journey through the treetops and conquer new heights with our passionate team of outdoor enthusiasts. Each staff member brings a   of expertise and enthusiasm to ensure an unforgettable experience for every adventurer who steps foot on our course. Get to know the faces behind the adventure and discover the heart and soul of Stowe Heights Challenge Course. on a journey through the treetops and conquer new heights with our passionate team of outdoor enthusiasts. Each staff member brings a   blend of expertise and enthusiasm to ensure an unforgettable experience for every adventurer who steps foot on our course. Get to know the Embark on a journey through the treetops and conquer new heights with our passionate team of outdoor enthusiasts. Each staff member brings a unique blend of expertise and enthusiasm to ensure an unforgettable experience for every adventurer who steps foot on our course. Get to know the faces behind the adventure and discover the heart and soul of Stowe Heights Challenge Course.faces behind the adventure and discover the heart and soul of Stowe Heights Challenge Course.Embark on a journey through the treetops and conquer new heights with our passionate team of outdoor enthusiasts. Each staff member brings a unique blend of expertise and enthusiasm to ensure an unforgettable experience for every adventurer who steps foot on our course. Get to know the faces behind the adventure and discover the heart and soul of Stowe Heights Challenge Course.

Kids Operating Room began in 2018 and was founded by Garreth and Nicola Wood, a well-known family in Scotland. The KidsOR USA branch was formed in 2023 to build awareness in the US and expand our mission in Latin America. 

There are two differentiating factors to Kids Operating Room’s mission and approach: we build local healthcare capacity instead of relying on medical missions and harness solar energy to power our operating rooms. In just over 8 years, we have installed and equipped 99 pediatric operating rooms in 35 countries around the world to deliver safe surgery to children in some of the most challenging and hard-to-reach areas of the world, including Haiti, Somalia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Afghanistan. We also built the world’s first pediatric OR in a refugee campaign in Kenya. Our work has highlighted in a BBC short film Kids OR | Smile Train and we were honored to receive the .ORG Impact Award last fall in Washington, D.C. in the Health and Healing category.