Advisory Council
Advisory Council Members 2025
The IA-CEO Advisory Council unites leaders and experts dedicated to advancing employee ownership in Iowa. Representing diverse industries and backgrounds, our council members provide essential guidance, insights, and support to help IA-CEO empower companies on their journey toward employee ownership. Their expertise strengthens our mission to foster a thriving, equitable business landscape across the state.

Victor Aspengren
Owner
Employee Ownership Mentoring

Robin Bostrom
Empower Rural Iowa Director
Iowa Economic Development Authority

Angie Brick
Attorney / Shareholder
Nyemaster Goode PC

Nicole Crain
President
Iowa Association of Business & Industry

Joe DeJong
Business Advisor – ESOP Practice
Creative Planning

Debi Durham
Director
Iowa Economic Develop. Authority
& Iowa Finance Authority

Melissa Hoover
Senior Fellow
Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing

Hillary Hughes
Director
Prairie Capital Advisors, Inc.

Alison Lingane
Founder
Ownership Capital Lab

Mike Mallaro
Executive Chairman of the Board
VGM Group Inc.

Terry McGonegle
Chief Financial Officer (Retired)
Wright Service Corp.

Bill Menner
Executive Director
Iowa Rural Development Council

Terry Merfeld
Partner
Eide Bailly

Atul Mitra
Department Head & Professor of Management
University of Northern Iowa

Tom Pientok
President & CEO
Timberline Manufacturing

Matt Rector
Regional Director
Liaison for Senator Chuck Grassley

Jerry Ripperger
National VP - Stock Plan Services Consulting
Principal Financial Group

Nick Roby
Director & Clinical Professor of Law
Drake University Law Clinic

Amber Rodgers
Global Business Team Lead
Iowa Economic Development Authority

Scot Storjohann
Senior Vice President
GreatBanc Trust Company

Steve Storkan
Executive Director
Employee Ownership Expansion Network

Duane Tolander
Managing Director
HDH Advisors LLC

David Zrostilk
President
Stellar Industries
Ex Officio Members

Judy Butler
Program Manager
Advance Iowa
University of Northern Iowa

Deb Giarusso
Senior Program Manager
Advance Iowa
University of Northern Iowa

Todd Hutcheson
Director
Advance Iowa
University of Northern Iowa

Stacy Mullinex
Senior Project Manager
Advance Iowa
University of Northern Iowa