Fred McElwee, Vice President, Fairfield Community School District, 641.472.5252

Fred McElwee has been a resident of the Fairfield/Jefferson county community since 1980. He taught industrial education at Fairfield Middle School from 1980-2002. Since then he has been and continues to be the Director of Auxiliary Services for Fairfield Community School District, overseeing school transportation, food services and buildings and grounds. He also worked construction on a part-time basis for over 25 years. Fred is a member of the Lockridge Lions and past member of the Fairfield Jaycees.

Fred has a bachelor of science in education and master of arts in industrial education from Truman State University. He also has his school administration certification from Drake University.

Fred is married to Ann Marie, who works as a draftsperson in the engineering department at the Dexter Company. They have two children, Danielle, a senior at the University of Iowa and Grant, a sophomore at Kirkwood Community College.

As for recreation and hobbies, Fred enjoys spending time at Lake Thunderhead, Mo., woodworking, and finding things to do on his and Ann Marie’s acreage.

Community involvement has been important to Fred as he has been a member of the Fairfield Jaycees, Lockridge Lions and has served on various boards and committees.

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Terry Baker, Vice President, SendOutCards, 641.919.5778

Terry Baker has been a local entrepreneur since 1985, operating several small retail & service enterprises. Her chamber interests include networking and supporting the needs and interests of small business, especially women-owned businesses.

In Terry’s spare time, she enjoys ballroom and swing dancing and plays pack leader to three delightful pooches.

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Jessica Ledger-Kalen, Vice President, Royale Concrete, 641.919-8912

Jessica Ledger-Kalen has been the President and Co-Founder of Royale Concrete since 2006. She was born in Fairfield, Iowa but spent twelve years in Wisconsin. She spent time in the market research, teleservices, customer service and sales fields before finding her way to construction and back to Iowa. Her passion is customer service and entrepreneurship.

Jessica is a member of the Leadership Iowa Class of 2009-2010, Fairfield Art Association Board, Greater Area Habitat for Humanity Building Committee, and a member of the Fairfield Young Professionals Organization.

Jessica spends the little free time she has with her husband, Jeremy Waugh. She has diverse interests including food, wine, good books, truck pulls, the arts, architecture, and traveling.

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Seth Miller, Vice President, Cedar Valley Winery, 641.662-2800

Seth Miller was born and raised in Batavia, Iowa and graduated Fairfield High School in 1997. He obtained a B.S. with honors from Iowa State University’s College of Business in 2001 graduating with majors in Finance and Management. Seth later obtained his J.D from the University of Iowa College of Law in 2004.

From 2004 – 2008 Seth practiced law at Shook, Hardy & Bacon LLP in Kansas City as a toxic tort litigator in the firm’s environmental law group. Seth moved back to Fairfield in 2008 as Cambridge Investment Research, Inc.’s in-house counsel and currently serves as the Assistant Vice President of Cambridge’s Legal Department.

Seth has worked with his family since 2002 to establish Cedar Valley Winery on the family farm near Batavia, IA. Cedar Valley Winery opened for business in July 2009 and Seth currently serves as part owner and full time winemaker.

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Sue Gail, Fairfield Nutrition, 641.469.5770

Sue Gail grew up in Chicago, but had been visiting Fairfield for many years before she moved to Fairfield in 1993.

Sue has had a long career with Herbalife International, which has taken her to Washington, DC, and to Europe for 2 ½ years of her 30 year career. Sue and her partner, Art Atkinson, are the founders of Fairfield Nutrition on the square.

One of her favorite activities is creating the Oktoberfest every year. She is also a member of the Fairfield Rotary Club.

In her free time, Sue loves to travel, dance, garden and participate in the many Fairfield events. Sue says, “I am honored to be a part of the Chamber Board, to help our town continue to be one of the great places in Iowa.”

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Michael Halley, Danaher Oil , 641.233.0445

Michael Halley has lived in Fairfield since 1993 when he came to attend MUM. He co-founded Natural Selections in 1995, expanding the store space twice and creating an international online presence in the following twelve years. In 2007 Michael was elected president of the Fairfield Convention and Visitor's Bureau and began working at Danaher Oil Company. Since then he's served with Live on the Square, Fairfield Volunteer Center, Jefferson County Wellness Action Coalition, Go-Green Commission, Fairfield Cultural Alliance, and is the 4th Ward representative on the Fairfield City Council.

In his free time he enjoys playing team sports such as basketball and floor hockey, competing in local triathlons, hosting a weekly radio show on KRUU FM, and spending quality time with his children Lily and Skylar.

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Josie Hannes, Josie Hannes Design / Flair Vintage Decor, 641.472.3948

Josie Hannes, a Fairfield native, graduated from Fairfield High School, served in the National Guard, then later attended Indian Hills College.

Josie worked at Chappell Studio as a graphic designer and a photographer for over 12 years. In 2005, she opened her own graphic design studio. Since then, the business has evolved into a large photography and design studio, Josie Hannes Design. Recently, a vintage boutique, “Flair”, which sells vintage furniture, home décor and gifts, has been added to her studio. The shop is located inside the large front area of the studio building, located just off the Fairfield Square. She and her husband also own three rental properties.

Josie is married to Lyle, who works at Dexter Apache Holdings Inc. and is a captain on Fairfield’s fire department. They have four children: Eric - 22, Dani - 19, Jace - 7, Teague - 4.

She is a member of Professional Photographers of Iowa, a member of P.E.O., serves on the board of the Fairfield Area Chamber of Commerce Holiday Committee. Josie and her family attend Faith Christian Outreach Church in Fairfield.

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Shawn Lisk, MidWestOne Bank , 641.472.2424

Shawn Lisk is the 2nd Vice President, Retail Market Manager of MidWestOne Bank.

Lisk graduated from Fairfield High School and graduated from Northeast Missouri State University n/k/a Truman State University in Kirksville, MO with a B.S in Business Administration emphasis in Finance. He worked at Hy-Vee while in high school and worked a couple summers at Agri-Industrial Plastics Company. He began his banking career in 1991 at Iowa State Bank & Trust Company in Fairfield. In 1998 he made the move to Central Valley Bank n/k/a MidWestOne Bank as Vice President and eventually moved to the new drive-up facility as Vice President/Branch Manager in 2001. Most recently he has accepted the position of 2nd Vice President/Retail Market Manager and oversees all retail employees at both Fairfield locations.

Lisk is married to wife Summer. They have three children, 6 year-old Autumn, and 3 year-old twins Ashlyn and Austin.

In his free time, Lisk enjoys softball, hunting, and spending time with his family. He was inducted into the Iowa Softball Hall of Fame last year and his team won the 2007 NSA Super World Championship National Tournament bringing him a ring. He has also been involved with many different clubs and organizations through the years. He has been on the Chamber of Commerce Blast Off committee for 17 years.

“It will be interesting to be a part of the Fairfield Chamber Board with so much going on in Fairfield right now,” said Shawn Lisk. “It will be exciting as we look to the future and work hard to help Fairfield grow. I’m just glad to be a part of it.”

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Jeanie Palmer, Skin Essence, 641.472.4225

Jeanie Palmer is the owner and licensed esthetician of Skin Essence. She is a graduate of Pekin High School, having grown up on her family farm. Jeanie attended The Fashion and Art Institute, Omaha, where she majored in Fashion Merchandising and Design. She has an AA Degree in Business, with an emphasis in Sales and Marketing and has received her esthetics license. She and husband Shane have two daughters: Megan, a freshman at Fairfield High School and Paige a seventh grade student at Fairfield Middle School.

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Ken Ross, Global ID Group, Inc., 641.472.9979 ext. 103

Since 2006, Ken Ross has served as the CEO of Global ID Group, Inc., a leader in the testing and certification of agricultural products for the presence of genetically modified organisms with offices in Fairfield, Brazil, Japan, Germany and the UK. From 2000 to 2005, Ken was the President of Fourth Street Partners, LLC, a consumer products development firm and from 1990 to 2000, Ken served as CEO of PackageNet, Inc., a nationwide network of consumer service centers. Prior to PackageNet, Ken was the Founder and President of Atrium Information Group, an enterprise software tools company. In the years before moving to Fairfield in 1983, Ken served as the Director of Information Systems at Celebrity, Inc., a consumer goods manufacturer and in various IT positions at Irving Trust Company and Salomon Brothers. Ken has also served on the Board of a number of firms in Fairfield including MasterHouse Products, 3mix, Vaytek, Fairfield Software, Technical Advances, Full Partner and Keyboard Advancements.

Ken received his B.A. from the U. of Wisconsin-Madison and his M.B.A from New York University in Finance and Information Technology. Ken was a founding member of the Fairfield Entrepreneur’s Association in 1989 and still serves on the Board of the FEA. Ken is also currently serving as the President of the Green Business Council of Fairfield and Jefferson County and he is an Adjunct Faculty member in the Graduate Business Department at Maharishi University of Management.

Ken has been residing in Fairfield since 1983 with his wife, Sheila, and his two daughters, Taylor and Julia, both graduates of MSAE. Ken enjoys golf, softball, basketball, and tennis, going to Iowa Hawkeye football and basketball games, music (you may occasionally see him playing the drums at the Sondheim), computers, reading, and cruising the square on 1st Friday Art Walks.

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Gus Schaus, Schaus-Vorhies Companies, 641.472.8539

Gus Schaus moved to Fairfield in 1972 and is a Fairfield High School graduate. He served his carpenter apprenticeship under master craftsman Mr. Gail Lyons and also worked with Bill Kurka. By the middle of the 1980’s Schaus and Roger Vorhies for Schaus-Vorhies Contracting with $150 each and by 1987 they incorporated the company.

Today Schaus-Vorhies Companies has done more than $75 million dollars of construction work in and around Fairfield, southeast Iowa, the Midwest and occasionally on the east and west coast. Schaus-Vorhies delivers construction projects in designing, building, construction management, general construction and self performs steel erection and carpentry.

Schaus-Vorhies Companies is a Ceco Building Dealer. Schaus sits on the Ceco Presidents Advisory Council along with eighteen other builders from around the US.

Along with other business owners Schaus has formed or started several other Fairfield-based businesses; Schaus-Vorhies Manufacturing Inc. paint-Line Inc. and Schaus-Vorhies Kleaning Inc. with about 85 employees.

In his spare time, Gus enjoys swimming with his children Quay and Carly and working on home projects.

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Darien Sloat, Temp Associates , 641.472.2025

Darien Sloat is currently the Fairfield Branch Manager at Temp Associates, a family owned business based in Muscatine, Iowa in 1986. The business now includes offices in Mount Pleasant, Burlington, Grinnell, Marshalltown, and since March of 2007, Fairfield. Holding a B.G.S. from the University of Iowa, Darien has held previous positions as a Director of Human Resources, Administrator of two care facilities, social worker and counselor.

Darien moved to Fairfield from Washington, Iowa in 2003 with his wife Roberta and their three kids, Madeline, Max, and Claudia. Roberta has a degree in Social Work from the University of Iowa and is the Supervisor of the Parents as Teachers Program in Washington, Iowa where she has worked for 11 years. Madeline will finish her Bachelor’s degree in Music Education at Iowa Wesleyan College in Mount Pleasant in spring 2012 and hopes to stay in the area. Max a senior, and Claudia a sophomore at Fairfield High School, are involved in vocal and instrumental music groups, large-group speech team, theater, and soccer.

The whole family has been involved in all aspects of the Fairfield Area Community Theater (F.A.C.T.) since moving to town. Darien enjoys set-building for shows with FACT, the High School, the Middle School, as well as the High School Large Group Speech Team.

Darien is a past member of the Board of Directors for the Fairfield Area Soccer Association and has coached soccer in Fairfield and Washington for many years. Any remaining free time is spent with friends, using the trail system in Fairfield, golfing, fishing, walking the dog and playing cards.

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Lori Vaughan, TD&T Financial Group, P.C., 641.472.6171

Lori Vaughan, a graduate of Fairfield High School and AIB College of Business in Des Moines, IA, where she received an Associate of Business degree, is currently working toward her bachelor’s degree from AIB.

Lori has worked in various positions and lived in various locations due to her husband’s job. She began working at TD&T Financial Group, P.C. in 2002 following five years of operating her own accounting firm.  Lori is the Senior Staff Accountant at TD&T Financial Group, Inc.

Lori has been married to husband Scott for 18 years. They have 3 children: Kiersten 17, Morgan, 14 and Spencer 3.

In her free time, Lori enjoys attending high school sporting events, volunteering for the Trojan Booster Club, reading and spending time with family.

“I enjoy being involved in community activities and serve as the Treasurer for the Fairfield Area Softball Association and The African Violet Foundation. I am also an active member of the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce Holiday Committee and First Baptist Church where I spend a lot of time volunteering with various youth events.”

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Ronda Whitney, Whitney Monument Works, 641.472.4104

Ronda Whitney is co-owner of Whitney Monument Works, a fifth generation family business. She is also a registered yoga teacher, currently teaching at Open Space Studio. She has been a Chamber Ambassador for the past two years.

She graduated from Fairfield High School and attended Indian Hill Community College.

Ronda has four sons, Joshua, Dustin, Jordan and Nathan and enjoys supporting them in their many activities. She has been past president of Washington Elementary Parent Teacher group and continues to volunteer at the school when she can. She has also served on various committees for the school district.

In her free time she enjoys her yoga practice, walking, bicycling, traveling and reading.

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Ed Malloy, City of Fairfield , Mayor

Ed Malloy was elected Mayor in 2001 and is in his thirds term. He served on the Fairfield City Council form 1992–2000. Mayor Malloy is also President of Danaher Oil Company — a fuel brokerage operation that began in Fairfield 1983. Mr. Malloy was one of the founding-members of the Fairfield Entrepreneurs Association in 1989. He serves on the board of the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, Iowans for a Better Future and the Iowa State University Extension Citizen Advisory Council.

“The Fairfield Chamber of Commerce has long been a vital part of our community leadership and represents the best of our diverse economy. The Chamber Board of Directors is best exemplified by its vision and caring attitude for our community welfare. It is my honor to serve as one of the “Associates” members of the board.”

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Tom Brooks, Maharishi University of Management

Tom Brooks received his B.A. in Resource Development with Honors from Michigan State University in 1974. Brooks has been actively engaged as a university administrator at Maharishi University of Management for over 27 years. He has experience in all phases of administration.

• Chief Operating Officer, current
• Owner’s Representative, special project to renovate 100-year old Historic Landmark building in the Financial District of Lower Manhattan, 2007–2008
• Co-Founder and Co-Director, M.U.M. Organic Farms. Setting up the farm involved the construction of a one-acre greenhouse operation and 15-acre field production of certified organic produce for our University food service and campus market, 2003–2006
• Chief Administrative Officer, 1993–2003
• Administrative Council Co-Chairperson, 1990-1993
• Personnel Co-Director, 1988–1990
• Assistant to the Development Council Chairperson, 1986–87
• Renovation Project Manager, 1983-1985
• 15 years full-time experience on family farm in Michigan

Tom has been married to his wife, Kathy Wagner Brooks, for 27 years. Kathy also works at the Maharishi University of Management. In his spare time Tom enjoys hiking, backpacking, canoeing and movies.

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Rustin Lippincott, Fairfield Iowa Convention and Visitors Bureau

Rustin Lippincott is the Executive Director of the Fairfield Iowa Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Fairfield Arts and Convention Center. Lippincott has been with the Bureau since February 2007 and with the Convention Center since February 2009. He is responsible for tourism and community development efforts in the Fairfield area and overseas the operations of the Convention Center located in downtown Fairfield.

Lippincott serves on the Eastern Iowa Tourism Association Board of Directors, Iowa Destination Marketing Alliance Board of Directors, Tri State Development Tourism Task Force, Fairfield Iowa Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and in advisory positions with several organizations. Lippincott is a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa and is a native of Fort Madison, Iowa. Lippincott along with his wife, Lindsay and two children, Jada and Alex live in Fairfield.

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Lee Dimmitt, Jefferson County Supervisor

Lee Dimmitt is a member of the Jefferson County Board of Supervisors and is also a 30 year employee of Walker’s Office Supplies in Fairfield. Lee was born in Ottumwa Iowa with family roots in the area dating back to 1846. Although Lee was raised in Southern California, he returned to his place of birth in 1971 and moved to Fairfield 40 years ago. Lee has been an active participant in Little League and Babe Ruth Baseball coaching and Base umpiring for almost 20 years. Lee’s free time activities include camping and watching his sons who play and coach for Fairfield Community High School.

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Lori Schaefer-Weaton, Fairfield Economic Development Association

Lori is currently the Director of Business Development for Agri-Industrial Plastics. Lori graduated from Fairfield High School in 1985. She then attended and graduated from Valparaiso University, IN, in 1990 with an Accounting degree and a Marketing / Communications minor. In 1998 Lori completed an executive MBA program at Northwestern University.

Upon graduation Lori began her career with Comdisco, Inc. a Fortune 100 Technology Services Company in Chicago. She started in the international accounting division, was a manager in the finance department, then was an equipment trader and most recently was in their strategic planning division.

Lori is a member of First Presbyterian Church of Fairfield, and sits on the Iowa Association of Business and Industry Board and Executive Committee. In addition, she sits on the Advisory Committee for Project Lead the Way in Fairfield. Lori is married to Nate Weaton and they have five children: Cami, Jack, Abby, Max, and Sam.

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Brett Ferrel, Fairfield Manufacturers Association

Brett Ferrel is the Human Resources Manager at Agri-Industrial Plastics Co. where he has been employed for 19 years. He is also the Training Officer for the Fairfield Fire Department and has been a firefighter for 11 years.

Brett is a Fairfield native and graduated from Fairfield High School in 1986 and later from Iowa Wesleyan College with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. He also played football for the Tigers earning 1st team All District honors as a defensive back.

Brett is married to Amy and they have 4 daughters: Taylor 14, Maggie 12, Carly 10 and Addison 6. In his free time Brett enjoys coaching his daughters in softball. He also enjoys boating, golf, lifting weights and spending time at their cabin. Brett is also an avid hunter and fisherman.

Brett is the 2012 President of the Fairfield Manufacturer’s Association. He was also President in 2005.

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