The Dean’s Advisory Council was established in 1977 to develop a strong partnership between the business and academic communities. Members meet twice annually. The council helps the college leaders strengthen instruction, research, outreach programs, and improve its facilities, expand its base of support, and serve the college alumni. The dean seeks the counsel and support of top-level corporate and public sector leaders in Iowa and on both the national and international scene.

The Dean’s Advisory Council works with the dean to:

• Facilitate dialogues with the college faculty concerning the changing needs of the business community.
• Evaluate college initiatives and provide input concerning college objectives, programs, and research.
• Participate in college development, capital fund-raising, and public relations efforts.

Debbie and Jerry Ivy

Debbie Ivy (’19 honorary)

Secretary/Treasurer, Retired

Auto-Chlor

First year on DAC: 2017

Dan-Houston

Daniel J. Houston ’84

Dean’s Advisory Council Chair

Chairman and CEO

Principal Financial Group

First year on DAC: 2004

Deborah-Beers

Deborah A. Beers ’87, ’88

Co-Founder, Principal

Campfire Consulting Group, LLC

First year on DAC: 2020

Marta Codina

Marta A. Codina

Senior Vice President-Growth

and Branch Administration

Wells Fargo Bank

First year on DAC: 2022

Brenda Cushing

Brenda J. Cushing ’86

Executive Vice President

and CFO, Retired

Athene Holding Ltd.

First year on DAC: 2010

Tina-Freese-Decker

Tina Freese Decker ’00

President and CEO

Corewell Health

First year on DAC: 2021

Miriam-de-Dios-Woodward

Miriam De Dios Woodward ’04

President and CEO

De Dios Consulting

First year on DAC: 2021

Michael-Deggendorf

Michael L. Deggendorf ’84

Senior Vice President

Regulated Infrastructure Development

American Electric Power (AEP)

First year on DAC: 2015

Nancy-Dittmer

Nancy Dittmer ’84

Senior Vice President

Newport Group

First year on DAC: 2010

Curt Espeland

Curt E. Espeland ’86

Executive Vice President

and CFO, Retired

Eastman Chemical Company

First year on DAC: 2011

Michael-Gerdin

Michael J. Gerdin

Chairman and CEO

Heartland Express, Inc.

First year on DAC: 2012

Craig-Hansen

Craig E. Hansen ’80

Senior Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer

Holmes Murphy & Associates

First year on DAC: 2010

Craig-Hart

Craig J. Hart ’78

Chief Financial Officer, Retired

Packers Sanitation Services, Inc.

First year on DAC: 2016

Cara-Heiden

Cara K. Heiden ’78

Co-President, Retired

Wells Fargo Home Mortgage

First year on DAC: 1994

Bill-Kalm

William D. Kalm ’73, ’77

Partner, Retired

Accenture

First year on DAC: 2017

Gage-Kent

Gage A. Kent ’83

Chairman and CEO

Kent Corporation

First year on DAC: 2016

David-Kingland

David J. Kingland ’80

Chairman and CEO

Kingland Systems Corporations

First year on DAC: 2009

Mike-McBreen

Michael F. McBreen ’88

Partner

nVisory LLC

First year on DAC: 2010

Balan-Nair

Balan Nair ’89, ’94

President and CEO

Liberty Latin America

First year on DAC: 2018

Paula-Norby

Paula L. Norby ’78

Vice President

Norby Distributing Co.

First year on DAC: 2018

James W. Owens

James W. Owens ’89

Partner and Director of Client Services

LSV Asset Management

First year on DAC: 2022

Kevin-Prien

Kevin K. Prien ’84

Regional Managing Partner

RSM US, LLP

First year on DAC: 2017

James W. Owens ’89
Partner and Director of Client Services

LSV Asset Management

Randal J. Richardson ’79

President, Retired

Vi Living

First year on DAC: 2010

Mark-Rupprecht

Mark A. Rupprecht ’87

President

R&R Realty Group

First year on DAC: 2020

Kim K Ryan

Kimberly K. (Kim) Ryan ’89

Chief Executive Officer

Hillenbrand

First year on DAC: 2022

Emily-Schmitt

Emily L. Schmitt ’08

CAO and General Counsel

Sukup Manufacturing

First year on DAC: 2022

Javier-Seymore

Javier R. Seymore ’00

Contractor Relations Manager, Compliance and Risk Mitigation

Amazon

First year on DAC: 2021

Mark-Stoering

Christi Shaw ’88

Life Sciences Leader, Board Member,

Advisor, and Environmental Conservationist

First year on DAC: 2024

Richard-Jurgens

Kurt A. Tjaden ’85

President, HNI International and

Senior Vice President, Retired

HNI Corporation

First year on DAC: 2014

Jan-Van-Ekeren

Janice Van Ekren ’81

Deputy CEO, Retired

Bank of Ayudhya

First year on DAC: 2021

Kirt-Walker

Kirt A. Walker ’85

Chief Executive Officer

Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company

First year on DAC: 2021

Mark-Walker

Mark A. Walker ’79

Senior Vice President, Retired

C. H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc.

First year on DAC: 2009

Mary Yuska

Mary B. Yuska ’78

Clinical Science Associate, Retired

Genzyme Corporation

First year on DAC: 2015

Ivy College of Business

Gerdin Business Building
2167 Union Drive
Ames, IA 50011
515-294-8300