Events

Anthony B. Coleman, DHA (Doctor of Health Administration) is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Broadlawns Medical Center. He assumed his responsibilities on December 6, 2021. Anthony (Tony) was born and raised in Southern California and enlisted in the U.S Navy, serving onboard warships in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. After completing two full sea tours, Tony was commissioned as a Naval Officer. While in graduate school, Tony worked in a rural South Carolina hospital where he discovered his passion for eliminating health disparities among vulnerable populations. During his tenure as a Naval Officer, Tony served in various roles of increasing responsibility, including: Department Head, Medical Administrative Officer onboard USS HARRY S. TRUMAN (CVN 75) and CFO and Executive Board Member at Naval Hospital Beaufort, South Carolina. Some highlights of his 20-year military career include earning the Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist designation, Surface Warfare Medical Department Officer qualification and the Executive Medicine additional qualifying designator. While in the military, Tony received a Secretary of Defense appointment to serve as a United States Senate Youth Program Military Mentor and served as Treasurer of the National Association of Health Services Executives, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote the advancement and development of African American health care leaders and to elevate the quality of healthcare services rendered to minority and underserved communities. Tony is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) and holds the dual distinction of being an Executive Development Program Fellow and Executive Diversity Scholar. He is also a Marshall Memorial Fellow (MMF) of the German Marshall Fund, a non-profit organization designed to increase transatlantic cooperation. During his time as an MMF, Tony traveled to Belgium, England, Spain, Hungary and Germany to study the complexities of the European universal healthcare system.

Broadlawns Medical Center has served as Polk County’s safety net hospital since 1924. If you haven't driven by or had medical services there recently, you will be in for a surprise. Mr. Coleman will talk about the growth of the Center and how it continues to serve the community.

Meeting location at Des Moines Golf and Country Club (thank you for hosting us!)

Address (click for driving directions):
Des Moines Golf & Country Club
1600 Jordan Creek Pkwy
West Des Moines, IA 50266

Speaker Bio:
 

Meeting location at Des Moines Golf and Country Club (thank you for hosting us!)

Address (click for driving directions):
Des Moines Golf & Country Club
1600 Jordan Creek Pkwy
West Des Moines, IA 50266

Meeting location at Des Moines Golf and Country Club (thank you for hosting us!)

Address (click for driving directions):
Des Moines Golf & Country Club
1600 Jordan Creek Pkwy
West Des Moines, IA 50266

Dr. Wendy Wintersteen became the 16th president of Iowa State University on Nov. 20, 2017, after a nationwide search, followed by a unanimous vote of the Board of Regents, State of Iowa. The first woman to hold the university’s highest office, Dr. Wintersteen has served Iowa State for more than 40 years in several capacities.

The university's brand campaign, Innovate at Iowa State, captures Dr. Wintersteen’s vision of a university with boundless opportunities for students and faculty to move their innovative and entrepreneurial ideas forward. The centerpiece is the 144,000 square foot Student Innovation Center, the technology-rich campus hub for students, classes and clubs excited to create marketable solutions, hold pitch-off competitions and envision new businesses. The Start Something Network encompasses the growing portfolio of academic courses in innovation and entrepreneurship offered in every undergraduate college.

Under her leadership, Iowa State has established national prominence in innovation and entrepreneurship in higher education – ranked #11 out of 300 public and private universities by the prestigious Princeton Review two years in a row. Iowa State also received the 2021 Model Program Award for Excellence in Entrepreneurial Education by the U.S. Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship, noting “Iowa State’s program was expansive in its scale and boldly embraced the challenges of engendering innovation and entrepreneurship across its campus.”

Dr. Wintersteen is advancing Iowa State University for the 21st century with priorities and aspirations expressed in ISU’s new strategic plan: to be the most student-centric leading research university where students, faculty and staff flourish in a welcoming and inclusive environment; to be the university that fosters lifelong learning, creates opportunities and forges new frontiers; and to be a trusted partner for proactive and innovative solutions.

Prior to becoming president, Dr. Wintersteen served for eleven years as the inaugural endowed dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) and director of the Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station. During her tenure, Iowa State’s agricultural programs ranked in the top 10 worldwide, CALS enrollment rapidly increased to become the third largest college of agriculture in the nation, research grants increased markedly, awards for teaching excellence grew, and the college achieved a 98% placement rate for its graduates. 

Meeting location at Des Moines Golf and Country Club (thank you for hosting us!)

Address (click for driving directions):
Des Moines Golf & Country Club
1600 Jordan Creek Pkwy
West Des Moines, IA 50266

Speaker Bio

Gabe Claypool has been a developer, operator and owner in the railroad logistics industry for over a decade. Between 2011 and 2017, Gabe served as President, COO and board member of Dakota Plains Holding Corporation, a publicly traded company on the NYSE focused on the Bakken oil fields in North Dakota. During this time, Gabe successfully managed over $80 million in CAPEX projects, 50+ employees and the safe transloading of over 100,000 rail cars. Gabe co-founded Cedar Midstream, which sold its Cushing, OK, crude oil storage project in 2016. Prior to co-founding Des Moines Industrial in 2019, Gabe developed Oklahoma-based oil field logistics solutions, including a rail terminal and water infrastructure.

Meeting location at Des Moines Golf and Country Club (thank you for hosting us!)

Address (click for driving directions):
Des Moines Golf & Country Club
1600 Jordan Creek Pkwy
West Des Moines, IA 50266

Meeting location at Embassy Club West:

Address (click for driving directions):
Des Moines Embassy Club - West
520 Market St. in West Des Moines, Iowa

Lt Col (Retired) Chad “Bubba” Lewis was born and raised in Des Moines, growing up across the street from the airport, watching jets fly overhead every day.  It was at a very early age he developed a passion for aviation and decided to pursue a career flying jets.  He attended the United States Air Force Academy and graduated in 1998 with a degree in Operation Research.  While at the Academy, Chad also played on the intercollegiate baseball team and began his flying training in gliders and single-engine aircraft. After graduation, Chad moved to Enid, OK and attended pilot training at Vance Air Force base, where he earned one of five fighter slots and was selected to fly the F-16, or “Viper”, as it is known in flying circles.  Chad served 12 years in the active duty Air Force with assignments in Germany, New Mexico, Las Vegas, South Korea and Phoenix.  He was deployed multiple times in support of Operation Northern Watch and Operation Iraqi Freedom wear he earned the Distinguished Flying Cross for his actions in Iraq.  He was also selected to attend the Air Force’s Fighter Weapons School in 2006, where he learned the latest fighter tactics and earned the equivalent of a master’s degree in fighter aviation.  In 2009, Chad was selected as one of the first 10 pilots in the Air Force to fly the F-35, the newest fighter in the inventory, as the initial cadre developing the syllabus and academics to teach others how to fly this new jet. When the time came to move to Florida and start the F-35 assignment, he decided to decline the assignment and move back home to fly F-16’s in Des Moines with the Iowa Air National Guard. In 2012, Chad was deployed with the 124th Fighter Squadron, “Hawkis”, to Kandahar Air Base, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. After only three and a half years in Des Moines, the Iowa Air National Guard was selected for a remission to fly MQ-9 Reaper drones.  Again, Chad was forced to make the tough decision to stay home and learn to fly a new aircraft or move to continue flying F-16s.  He and his family decided to move to the nation’s capital and fly with the District of Columbia Air Nation Guard. Chad flew alert missions and deployed three more times in the six years he flew in DC.  Chad retired in 2019 as the 113th Operations Support Squadron Commander.  Lt Col Lewis resides in Urbandale, IA with his wife of 23 years, Kelly, and 18 year old daughter, Riley.

This meeting will be available on Zoom.

Meeting location at Embassy Club West:

Address (click for driving directions):
Des Moines Embassy Club - West
520 Market St. in West Des Moines, Iowa

A.J. Salinas is the Director of Corporate and Foundation Engagement of Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Iowa. He started his role with the organization in August, 2022. A.J. was born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri. He attended North Central Missouri College for 2 years on a baseball scholarship where he got his associates degree before getting his Bachelor Degree in Business at Graceland University. After graduation, A.J. moved to Des Moines where he started his career in the non-profit sector. Starting at Children and Family Urban Movement, a non-profit that provides before and after-school care and provides meals and food to the community, A.J. had a variety of roles that included, program staff, Head Breakfast Chef, Development Assistant, Development and Communications Manager, and Director of Development. After 4 years with the organization, A.J. accepted the Associate Executive Director at Al Exito, an organization that works with LatinX youth and families in the state of Iowa. Overall, A.J. has dedicated his professional career to working with youth throughout the state of Iowa. He has been recognized as a young leader in the community and selected to participate in the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines’ leadership cohort. He has also attended conferences across the country about social justice and is a contractor for a national organization working on social justice issues. He hopes to bring his experience to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Iowa to continue to grow our Club and support more youth. When A.J. is not in the community, he is spending time with his wife, Maddie and his 1-year old son, Mateo.

Meeting location at Embassy Club West:

Address (click for driving directions):
Des Moines Embassy Club - West
520 Market St. in West Des Moines, Iowa

Iowans for Israel is a not-for-profit bipartisan organization encouraging citizens across Iowa and America to support and defend the rights of the Jewish State of Israel. 

As Israel is recognized as America’s closest strategic ally in the volatile Mideast region, we as Iowans stand with her supporting her sovereign right to exist free from terrorist attacks, and for the right to defend her citizens, homes, schools, businesses and territory. We acknowledge her sovereign right to exist and pursue what is best for Israel’s people. We encourage elected officials and citizens across the state of Iowa and America to support and defend the rights of the state of Israel.

Meeting location at Embassy Club West:

Address (click for driving directions):
Des Moines Embassy Club - West
520 Market St. in West Des Moines, Iowa

Ray Cole's television executive career spans five decades, and he has held leadership roles on the boards of the National Association of Broadcasters, ABC Television Affiliates Association, Television Bureau of Advertising and Broadcasters Foundation of America. Ray is a past recipient of the Robert D. Ray Pillar of Character Award. He was inducted into the Iowa Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2015, and it was only recently announced that he'll be inducted into the prestigious national Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2023 this May (the only other Iowa-born member of this Hall of Fame is Johnny Carson!). Ray's book, Hangin' with Winners, dropped just over one year ago and has since been featured on Good Morning America, The View, the Tamron Hall Show, the Jimmy Kimmel Book Club and ESPN. 

Meeting location at Embassy Club West:

Address (click for driving directions):
Des Moines Embassy Club - West
520 Market St. in West Des Moines, Iowa

Celebrity Auctioneer Jason Dent (Big Brother season 19) will help raise funds for the WDM Community on Tuesday, February 7^th.  When he isn’t on TV, he is a rodeo clown under the name Whistlenut & Ole.  You won’t want to miss this opportunity to see Jason in action and have some fun bidding on local auction times.

Here are some links if you’d like to learn more about our auctioneer:

Whistle Nut & Ole (@whistlenutandole) • Instagram photos and videos [instagram.com]

Jason Dent | Big Brother Wiki | Fandom [bigbrother.fandom.com]

Whistle-Nut & Ole 2016 Tralier – YouTube [youtube.com]

Other items being auctioned off:

• Weekend getaway to Clear Lake 
• Virtual Reality Headset: Meta Quest 2: Immersive All-In-One VR Headset | Meta Store | Meta Store
• Numerous gift cards and baskets

Meeting location at Embassy Club West:

Address (click for driving directions):
Des Moines Embassy Club - West
520 Market St. in West Des Moines, Iowa

Iowa has a thriving and vibrant startup ecosystem. And it’s one of our best kept secrets – nationally. We’ll talk about what makes it unique and how you can get involved.

Donna Ramaeker Zahn’s career has been agriculture and innovation focused from the beginning; recognizing the role that each plays in the vibrancy of economies and advancement of solutions. As a former Research Director for a Fortune 500 company, she was an intrapreneur that designed an innovative technology acceptance approach that took culture, science, ethics and critics’ views into account prior to new product launches. But her entrepreneurial spirit was fostered in High School, as her parents required each of their 12 children to secure a loan and start a business.

With more than 30 years of experience in management, strategic planning and public relations she spends her time in the global and local arenas. Globally, Donna helps decision makers in developing economies integrate genetic innovations into their portfolios.

Locally, she’s been involved in the startup scene since 2008 and is currently an Entrepreneur in Residence at the Iowa State University Startup Factory where she focuses on business strategy and development, establishing valuable connections for startup founders. She is past chair of the Iowa Economic Development Authority’s Technology Commercialization Committee, and is currently serving on a Committee making decisions about federal funds for startups. Donna is known for devising creative solutions in undefined areas.

Join your fellow rotarians for "social hour" at the Urban Cellar. This business donated to our live auction - show your support and hope to see you there. (we'll have high top tables reserved)  See you there.

Meeting location at Embassy Club West:

Address (click for driving directions):
Des Moines Embassy Club - West
520 Market St. in West Des Moines, Iowa

Dementia Friendly Iowa promotes change and education in communities across Iowa to create a more informed, safe, and respectful place for people living with dementia and their caregivers. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, at least 66,000 people are living with dementia in Iowa, and this number is expected to grow to at least 73,000 by 2025.

As the number of people living with dementia in our state increases, so must public awareness and ability to serve this population in the state of Iowa.

Meeting location at The Salisbury House:

Address (click for driving directions):

The Salisbury House

4025 Tonawanda Dr

Des Moines, IA 50312

Meeting location at Embassy Club West:

Address (click for driving directions):
Des Moines Embassy Club - West
520 Market St. in West Des Moines, Iowa

Kimberly Baeth is the president of Golden Openings Inc., a company she started in 1997 at age 26, when she realized there was no such thing as giant working scissors. 

Meeting location at Embassy Club West:

Address (click for driving directions):
Des Moines Embassy Club - West
520 Market St. in West Des Moines, Iowa

Meeting location at Des Moines Golf and Country Club:

Address (click for driving directions):
Des Moines Golf and Country Club
1600 Jordan Creek Pkwy, West Des Moines, IA 50266

Change Course is a career development program that provides training in highly sought-after skills along with leadership and personal development, to give people in Des Moines a way to stop living paycheck to paycheck and launch a career.

After making poor choices at age 35 in an effort to be someone I really wasn’t, life fell apart with my marriage and my relationships and as a family, we lost everything. Those choices led to incarceration in a federal prison camp in Yankton, SD where I would begin a complete change in the course of my life. In prison, I would meet men who would change my view of who had opportunities in this country and who didn’t. I came to realize that many of the men, most of whom would be released and return within 3 years of their release, did not have the same opportunity for change that I did. I was surrounded by a loving community, given a chance at a new career because of that community, and had the opportunity to have a successful career in business over the last 25 years. 

In February of 2022, I left the business world determined to really make a difference and respond to the burden that has been on my heart for the last 25 years. That is why in February of 2022 we founded Change Course. Karin and I are committed to creating the community and opportunities for the less fortunate stuck in poverty or the cycle of prison so they can become a leader and change the course of their lives.

Meeting location at Des Moines Golf and Country Club:

Address (click for driving directions):
Des Moines Golf and Country Club
1600 Jordan Creek Pkwy, West Des Moines, IA 50266

Dr. Angela Walker Franklin, President Des Moines University Angela L. Walker Franklin, a native of McCormick, South Carolina, is a Phi Beta Kappa and magna cum laude graduate of Furman University. A licensed clinical psychologist, she completed her Ph.D. in clinical psychology at Emory University, followed by a year-long clinical internship at Grady Memorial Hospital. Dr. Franklin, who became Des Moines University’s 15th president in the spring of 2011, has worked in higher education for more than 25 years. Previously, she was executive vice president and provost at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee, where she oversaw academic and administrative departments. She held a professorship in Meharry’s department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences. Prior to her role at Meharry, Dr. Franklin held several positions at the Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia, including vice dean, associate vice president for academic and student affairs, associate dean for student affairs, director of counseling services and assistant professor of psychiatry. A former American Council on Education Fellow (2001-02), Dr. Franklin is also a 2004 protégé of the Millennium Leadership Institute which is sponsored by the Association of State Colleges and Universities in preparing the next generation of leaders in higher education. She also participated in the 2008 Prospective President’s Workshop of the United Methodist Church Affiliated Schools. Since becoming the 15th President of Des Moines University, Dr. Franklin has published the university history entitled, “Now is the Time, Des Moines is the Place” which chronicles a 100+ year history of training health care professionals. She has established institutional goals and priorities for the future and in December 2018, launched Purple and Proud, a $25 million dollar fund raising campaign which was surpassed a year later. With the transformative vision to build an entirely new campus on 88 acres of land purchased in West Des Moines, the campaign continues with fundraising efforts focused on the new campus. Dr. Franklin is leading the effort to plan and design the new campus which is anticipated to open in summer 2023 coinciding with the 125th anniversary of the founding of the university. Dr. Franklin is actively involved in the Des Moines Community, serving on the boards of Bankers Trust, The Greater Des Moines Partnership, The Harkin Institute National Advisory Council, and UnityPoint Health. She is also Chair of the Assembly of Presidents of the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) and a member of the George Washington Carver Statuary Hall Project and the Alliance on Academic Healthcare....and so much more!

Meeting location at Des Moines Golf and Country Club:

Address (click for driving directions):
Des Moines Golf and Country Club
1600 Jordan Creek Pkwy, West Des Moines, IA 50266

Meeting location at Des Moines Golf and Country Club:

Address (click for driving directions):
Des Moines Golf and Country Club
1600 Jordan Creek Pkwy, West Des Moines, IA 50266

The 13th annual Iowa Brewers Guild's Iowa Craft Brew Festival will be held June 3, 2023, at Water Works Park, Lauridsen Amphitheater in Des Moines. The event includes unlimited samples of Iowa craft beer and cider, live music, local food trucks, and more. 

Meeting location at Des Moines Golf and Country Club:

Address (click for driving directions):
Des Moines Golf and Country Club
1600 Jordan Creek Pkwy, West Des Moines, IA 50266

Michael S. Downing serves as Athene’s Chief Operating Officer. He is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Company, including IT, Operations, Product Management, Marketing, and Athene’s Bermuda operations.  

Prior to assuming his current role, Mr. Downing served as Executive Vice President and Chief Actuary and was responsible for global actuarial valuation, modeling, pricing, product development, and product go-to-market.

Prior to joining Athene, Mr. Downing spent seven years at The Allstate Corporation, with increasing responsibility over time. His final role included responsibility for product, actuarial, asset liability management, marketing, and finance. Prior to Allstate, Mr. Downing was a Senior Partner at Aon Hewitt, leading the International Consulting practice following assignments in the UK and Switzerland. 

He holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota. He is a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries (FSA), an Enrolled Actuary (EA) and a Certified Enterprise Risk Analyst (CERA).

Meeting location at Des Moines Golf and Country Club:

Address (click for driving directions):
Des Moines Golf and Country Club
1600 Jordan Creek Pkwy, West Des Moines, IA 50266

Meeting location at Hilton Garden Inn 205 S. 64th Street, West Des Moines, Iowa.

4pm Registration - https://tinyurl.com/59vpfr53

4:30 - 6:15 Program

Panel: 

- Heather Brown - Human Trafficking Survivor

- Matthew Stephenson, Director/Learning & Development, Casey's

- John Jarvey - Retired U.S. Chief Federal Court Judge, Southern District of Iowa

- Charlotte Kovacs, Victim Witness Specialist, Program Supervisor, U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of Iowa

6:15 Networking

Meeting location at Des Moines Golf and Country Club:

Address (click for driving directions):
Des Moines Golf and Country Club
1600 Jordan Creek Pkwy, West Des Moines, IA 50266

Meeting location at Des Moines Golf and Country Club:

Address (click for driving directions):
Des Moines Golf and Country Club
1600 Jordan Creek Pkwy, West Des Moines, IA 50266

Steve Lacy was Chairman of the Board of Meredith Corporation (NYSE: MDP; www.meredith.com), a company committed to service journalism, until November 2020. Lacy joined Meredith in 1998 as Chief Financial Officer. He served as President and Chief Executive Officer from July 2010 until February 2018. Lacy was instrumental in transforming Meredith into the multi-faceted company it is today. He oversaw the launch and aggressive expansion of the company’s digital business, including the acquisition of Allrecipes.com and the Time Inc. digital properties that resulted in cutting-edge capabilities in areas such as digital, mobile, social and database marketing activities. Meredith ranked in the Top 10 digital media companies in the country serving over 150 million unique visitors monthly. Meredith used multiple distribution platforms – including broadcast television, print, digital, mobile and video – to provide consumers with content they desire and to deliver the messages of its advertising and marketing partners. Lacy earned both a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting (1976) and an MBA (1977) from Kansas State University, is a Certified Public Accountant and a Certified Employee Benefits Specialist. He began his career in the public accounting field, spending 10 years with Deloitte & Touche. Today, Lacy serves on the Boards of Hormel Foods Corporation, First Interstate BancSystem,Inc., The Kansas State University Alumni Association and the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines. In the Des Moines community, Lacy is past Chair of The Des Moines Redevelopment Corporation, the Greater Des Moines Partnership Board and United Way of Central Iowa’s annual campaign and has served in leadership positions with the American Red Cross, Junior Achievement, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Easter Seals and the Dowling Catholic High School Foundation. Steve and Cathy Lacy have been married for 40 years and have a son Paul (35) who is a Project Engineer for a construction firm in Denver and Mary (32) who is a Doctor of Pharmacy practicing at a hospital in Denver.