Events

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.