Programs

Anne Shimerdla, President & CEO, Blank Park Zoo

March 6, 2026 • 7:00am • Wakonda

Blank Park Zoo

Anne Shimerdla has worked in a Zoo setting for the past 29 years. Over the years, she has gained experience in almost all Zoo departments.

Anne received a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Ecology from Iowa State University and a Masters of Public Administration at Drake University. She started her career at the Blank Park Zoo before moving to Duluth, Minnesota where she was the Education Curator at the Lake Superior Zoo.

For the past 24 years, she has worked at the Blank Park Zoo in various capacities. Starting as the Education Curator, her job has changed and increased scope over the years to include education, volunteers, guest services, operations revenue, animal care & health and human resources. On June 1, 2020, she was named the President and CEO.

 Anne lives in Urbandale with her husband of 24 years and their three children. She enjoys volunteering with kids’ sports activities, the school and church.

Beth Goetz, Director of Athletics

February 27, 2026 • 7:00am • Wakonda

University of Iowa & Other Big 10 Sports

Beth Goetz was announced as Henry B. and Patricia B. Tippie Director of Athletics Chair at the University of Iowa on Jan. 18, 2024, after serving five months as UI’s interim director. Goetz joined the Iowa athletics staff as Deputy Director of Athletics and Chief Operating Officer (COO) on Sept. 7, 2022.

Goetz joined the Iowa athletics staff from Ball State University, where she served as Director of Athletics since May 2018. Prior to arriving at Ball State, Goetz was the chief operating officer/senior woman administrator at the University of Connecticut from 2016-18. She served as Minnesota’s Deputy Athletics Director from 2013-15 and the interim athletics director during the 2015-16 year. She was the associate athletics director at Butler University from 2008-13 following a 13-year stint at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, where she was the head women’s soccer coach and assistant athletics director/senior woman administrator Goetz was inducted into the UMSL Sports Hall of Fame in 2014.

In addition to her previous role as an administrator, Goetz has been selected for national leadership duties. Goetz was named to the NCAA Competition Oversight Committee in 2018 and served as vice chair of the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Committee in 2021. She was named by Women Leaders in College Sports as the 2022 NCAA Division I FBS Nike Executive of the Year, and was recognized by the Indianapolis Business Journal (IBJ) as one of the publication’s 2021 Women of Influence.

Adam DeCamp, DCI Special Agent in Charge

February 20, 2026 • 7:00am • Wakonda

Preparedness is a partnership

Adam DeCamp has served the people of Iowa and the Division of Criminal Investigation for nearly thirty years. In the wake of unscripted, life-altering events across the state, he has stood alongside law enforcement, victims, survivors, and community leaders. His experiences have reaffirmed relationships are the foundation of readiness.

Brad Zaun, SBA Regional Administrator

February 13, 2026 • 7:00am • Wakonda

Small Business Administration’s Efforts to Promote Businesses in America

Brad Zaun is the Great Plains Regional Administrator serving Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska. He leverages over two decades of experience as a dedicated small business owner, community leader, and public servant. As former owner/operator of Zaun’s Trustworthy Hardware and vice president of R and R Realty Marketing Group, he gained direct insight into the complexities and needs of entrepreneurs.

Mr. Zaun’s extensive public service includes terms on the City Council of Urbandale, Iowa, and as mayor from 1998 to 2004, followed by 20 years championing small businesses in the Iowa State Senate from 2005 to 2025.

No Rotary Meeting

January 2, 2026 

Wakonda Club Annual Refresh

Our regularly scheduled Friday morning Rotary meeting is cancelled due to Wakonda Club’s annual 2-week cleaning and refresh. Have a great weekend!

No Rotary Meeting

January 9, 2026

Wakonda Club Annual Refresh

Our regularly scheduled Friday morning Rotary meeting is cancelled due to Wakonda Club’s annual 2-week cleaning and refresh. Have a great weekend!

Mike Draper, Founder of RAYGUN

January 16, 2026 • 7:00am • Wakonda

How I Did It

Mike Draper is the founder and owner of RAYGUN. RAYGUN is, to Mike’s surprise, still in business. It started in Des Moines in 2005 and has now grown to 11 (going on 12!) locations across the Midwest. RAYGUN has also been called ‘The Greatest Store in the Universe’ by RAYGUN (aa real honor).

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Contacts:

Phone: (641) 750-0023

president’s email

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