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

Victor Aspengren
Owner
Employee Ownership Mentoring

Robin Bostrom

Robin Bostrom
Empower Rural Iowa Director
Iowa Economic Development Authority

Angie Brick

Angie Brick
Attorney / Shareholder
Nyemaster Goode PC

Nicole Crain

Nicole Crain
President
Iowa Association of Business & Industry

Joe DeJong

Joe DeJong
Business Advisor – ESOP Practice
Creative Planning

Debi Durham

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

Carla Eysink

Carla Eysink
Executive Director
Marion County Development

Melissa Hoover

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

Hillary Hughes

Hillary Hughes
Director
Prairie Capital Advisors, Inc.

Alison Lingane

Alison Lingane
Founder
Ownership Capital Lab

Mike Mallaro

Mike Mallaro
Chief Executive Officer
VGM Group Inc.

Terry McGonegle

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

Bill Menner

Bill Menner
Executive Director
Iowa Rural Development Council

Terry Merfeld

Terry Merfeld
Partner
Eide Bailly

Atul Mitra

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

Tom Pientok

Tom Pientok
President & CEO
Timberline Manufacturing

Matt Rector

Matt Rector
Regional Director
Liaison for Senator Chuck Grassley

Jerry Ripperger

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

Nick Roby

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

Amber Rodgers

Amber Rodgers
Global Business Team Lead
Iowa Economic Development Authority

Lisa Shimkat

Lisa Shimkat
State Director at Iowa State University
America’s SBDC Iowa

Scot Storjohann

Scot Storjohann
Senior Vice President
GreatBanc Trust Company

Steve Storkan

Steve Storkan
Executive Director
Employee Ownership Expansion Network

Duane Tolander

Duane Tolander
Managing Director
HDH Advisors LLC

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