Friday Club Mtg

The Changing Path of Public Television Andrew Batt serves as executive director and general manager of Iowa PBS, Iowa’s statewide public television network. He leads the organization’s four broadcast channels and expanding digital platforms, advancing its mission to educate, inform and inspire Iowans through trusted content, lifelong learning and community engagement. Batt previously served in multiple roles at Iowa PBS ranging from Director of Programming to Senior Producer overseeing work in documentaries, sports coverage, public affairs, and rural agriculture reporting. A native of Council Bluffs, Iowa, Batt earned his bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication, with a minor in political science, from Iowa State University, and a master’s degree from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University.

Cold Case Investigations Steve Ponsetto grew up and was educated in Iowa. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy, Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command and the Certified Managers Program (CPM) at Drake University. Steve was selected by the Iowa Dept. of Public Safety (DPS) as a State Trooper in 1981. In 1991 he became a Special Agent with the Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI). In 2011, DPS Commissioner selected Steve to serve as the department’s Executive Director, a position he remained in until his retirement in 2014. Steve’s 33-year law enforcement career in DPS included a variety of positions and assignments. In 2023, Steve was selected by Iowa Attorney General Bird to develop, implement and lead the Attorney General’s Cold Case Unit.

Reflections and Expectations Connie Wimer was born in Merrill, Iowa, a small town in northwest Iowa and attended Morningside College. Connie is the owner and Chair of Business Publications Corporation. In addition to publishing the Business Record and dsm magazine, they publish thirty-some different publications each year. The company also does custom publishing, book publishing and has created more than 40 events presented throughout the year. Connie serves on a number of civic, charitable and higher education boards in the city, the state and nationally. She is the founder of Winefest and was the first woman to serve as Chair of the Greater Des Moines Chamber and the first woman to receive the Business Hall of Fame Award from the Greater Des Moines Committee. Editor & Publisher, the respected monthly trade news magazine covering the publishing industry, recognized the Business Record in a special section called “10 News Publishers That Do It Right” in 2021 and two subsequent years. BPC was cited for launching "new initiatives that provided value to the community". She received the Lewis Conn Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Alliance of Area Business Publications as well as the Milton W. Jones Lifetime Achievement Award from the […]

Robert

You Are The Message Matthew McIver is Executive Director at the Iowa Cultural Coalition and a renowned communicator. Matt has experience in directing, stage and screen acting, writing original work, and public speaking/presentations. He is the founder of McIver Communications, a strategic storytelling, coaching and consulting firm focused on teaching business leaders on influence and strategic communications.

Chicago Federal Reserve Remarks on the Economy David Oppedahl is a policy advisor on the regional research and engagement team at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. Oppedahl conducts research on the agricultural sector and rural development, as well as analyzing business conditions and the regional economy. He directs the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago's survey of agricultural banks on agricultural land values and credit conditions and publishes the results in AgLetter—the Chicago Fed's quarterly agricultural publication. In addition to his research, he monitors the regional economy through roundtables and other contacts, briefs senior staff on the agricultural economy, and organizes the annual Agriculture Conference. Before starting his career at the Chicago Fed as an associate economist in 1998, Oppedahl was a consultant in the economic research department at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. While at the Dallas Fed, he provided research support in econometrics. Oppedahl received a B.S. in mathematics from Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois, and an M.S. in statistics from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He also completed graduate-level course work in economics while attending Southern Methodist University.

TBA

Daryn "Ozzie" White is a soccer professional with over four decades of experience spanning professional playing, elite coaching, and executive club leadership across the world. A former professional player and captain of the Australian Youth Schoolboys National Team, Daryn transitioned into coaching and administration, earning the United Soccer Coaches Master Coach Diploma and the USSF 'A' License. As a TV commentator for Mediacom and Fox Soccer Channel, published author for World Class Coaching, and producer of seven audiovisual coaching productions, he has made an impact on the sport far beyond the pitch. Dan Cataldi is the CEO of the Iowa Soccer Association, where he oversees sanctioned youth and adult soccer across the state. Before transitioning to sports leadership, Dan held senior roles at the American Red Cross in disaster response and fund development. An elite former referee, he has officiated at every level—from Iowa high school state championships to professional and international friendlies. A dedicated fan of the beautiful game, Dan has followed the US Men’s National Team to World Cups in both Brazil and Qatar. Trina Flack is the President & CEO of Catch Des Moines, where she has been instrumental in securing major events like the NCAA Men’s […]

Habitat for Humanity Lance Henning serves as the President and Executive Director of Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity since December 2003, overseeing efforts to build homes and communities across Dallas, Jasper, and Polk counties. Prior to this role, Lance held the position of Executive Director at Northland Habitat for Humanity from 1998 to 2003 and worked as an Environmental Associate at MRIGlobal between 1992 and 1998. Lance began a career in service as a Volunteer in the Peace Corps from 1989 to 1991. Educational credentials include a Bachelor of Science from Iowa State University, a Master of Science from the University of Kansas, a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Duke University, and completion of the Executive Education program in Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management from Harvard Business School.

The Many Lives of Michael LaValle Michael Lavalle is one of Des Moines' most interesting people and entrepreneurs - covering topics such as reimagining the rivers of Des Moines; Des Moines' first celebrity chef; what's up with the new Atlas; senior games 100-meter dash winner; aging and CBDs; or sustainable wine concepts. Michael looks forward to reconnecting with many of us he knows and has fed over the years.