Meet the Chamber Board of Directors
The Fairfield Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors is a 12-15 director, 6 ex-officio assembly of diverse talent from across the Fairfield business community which convenes monthly to address Chamber policy considerations, community issues of concern or importance and institute directives and recommendations for the leadership of the Chamber. The position of Director on the Chamber Board represents an opportunity to exercise influence over the direction of the Chamber and leadership of the Fairfield community at large.
Executive Commitee
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Stephen Pedrick, Chamber President
French-Reneker-Associates, Inc. 641-472-5145 Stephen is a native of Douds, Iowa and represents the fifth generation Pedrick to be a member of the business community in Southeast Iowa. Pedrick graduated from Van Buren High School in 2005 and went on to attend Iowa Wesleyan College in Mount Pleasant. He graduated from Iowa State University in 2010 with a B.S. in Civil Engineering. Pedrick is a Professional Engineer at French-Reneker-Associates, Inc., (FRA). Since starting with FRA, Pedrick has been involved with all phases of a project starting with initial planning and progressing to final design through construction phase services. Pedrick has worked on many types of general civil engineering projects ranging from railroads to wastewater treatment plants to recreational trails. Since returning to the area in 2010, Pedrick has been involved in the community as Chairman of the Jefferson County Trails Council and as a member of the Fairfield RAGBRAI 2013 Housing and Camping Committees. Pedrick is a member of First United Methodist Church, Fairfield and Celestial Masonic Lodge in Douds. In his free time, Pedrick enjoys running, biking, disc-golfing, kayaking, backpacking, and reading, among other activities. |
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Vanessa Willman, President-Elect
Foss, Kuiken and Cochran, P.C. 641-472-3129 Vanessa grew up in Westerville, Ohio, a suburb of Columbus, Ohio. After attending law school in Michigan, she moved to Iowa. Vanessa recently moved to Fairfield after joining the law firm of Foss, Kuiken & Cochran, P.C. Vanessa’s practice areas include: Real Estate Transactions, Business Entities, Business Transactions, Estate Planning, Probate, Taxation and Family Law. In her spare time, Vanessa enjoys spending time with her husband, Scott, and her dog, Otis, as well as reading, and watching sporting events. |
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Aaron Kness, Chamber Treasurer
Iowa State Bank & Trust Company of Fairfield Iowa 641-469-5285 x 247 Aaron Kness is President and CEO of Iowa State Bank & Trust Company in Fairfield, IA. He has been in banking for over seventeen years, and is a graduate of both the University of Iowa’s College of Business and the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Aaron previously served on the board of directors for the Washington (Iowa) Chamber of Commerce as well as the Fairfield Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. Aaron grew up in rural northeast Iowa and has worked in a variety of communities including Cedar Rapids, Davenport and Chicago. He and his wife, Terri, have lived in Fairfield since 2007 and have two children, Rowan and Ryder. When he’s not working, Aaron enjoys spending time with his family, running, fishing and following Major League Baseball. “A strong Chamber of Commerce benefits everyone that lives and works in our community. I am proud to serve on such an impactful board, and look forward to contributing.” |
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John Sandbothe, Regional Manager
Iowa Farm Bureau Federation 319-759-3613 John Sandbothe grew up on a Century Farm outside Fort Madison, Iowa. After graduating from Iowa State University, he began his career with the Iowa Farm Bureau where he currently serves as Senior Regional Manager. John resides in Fairfield with his wife and three daughters and spends his free time volunteering or being outdoors. |
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Jason Davis
Agri-Industrial Plastics Company 641-472-4188 Ext. 138 Jason Davis grew up in Fairfield, IA and graduated from Fairfield High School in 2011. He attended Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids and finished his Associates degree at Indian Hills Community College. Jason has chosen to call Fairfield home for his early adult life and is the Purchasing Manager at Agri-Industrial Plastics Company. His responsibilities include managing all component and packaging suppliers. During his spare time, Jason enjoys spending time with family and friends, golfing, running and cheering on the Hawkeyes. |
Board of Directors
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Joneane Parker, Past President
Jefferson County Health Center 641-469-4313 Joneane grew up in Libertyville. She graduated from Fairfield High School and then Truman State. She is currently V.P., Clinical Services at Jefferson County Health Center. Over her Nursing career she has practiced in a wide variety of Nursing areas with special emphasis on advanced cardiac and critical care, for many years teaching these with the University of Iowa Team. Professionally, she has been very active both locally and on the State level including the Iowa Hospital Association and the Iowa Organization of Nurse Leaders. In 2003, she was named the “Outstanding Nurse Leader” for Iowa and in 2007 one of Iowa’s “100 Great Nurses”. She and husband Gene, Business Development Officer at 1st National Bank, farm SW of Libertyville. They have three grown children and seven delightful grandchildren. Volunteerism and giving back to this community are near and dear to both Joneane and Gene who have each been named “Outstanding Citizen of the Year.” “Recognizing the importance of our strong Chamber in this community, I am really looking forward to serving on the Chamber Board, learning more about it and contributing to this vital organization.” In her spare time, she enjoys being on the water, anything outdoors, travel, reading and spoiling her grandchildren. |
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Jeff Vivacqua
Cambridge Investment Research 641-472-5100 Jeff Vivacqua serves as the Senior Vice President of Marketing and as a member of the Board of Directors and the Executive Council at Cambridge Investment Research, Inc. in Fairfield, IA. With over 20 years of industry experience, Jeff has an active role in managing strategic issues for Cambridge that affect independent financial advisors, including marketing, sales, operations, and business development. In addition, he oversees the development of national and regional conferences; continuity, succession, and acquisition planning; Cambridge’s Knowledge Center; and a team focused on Cambridge’s advertising, branding, and communications strategies. Jeff earned a Bachelor of Science in finance from Southern Illinois University and has certificates in Personal Financial Planning and Facilitative Leadership Training programs. He holds FINRA Series 4, 7, 24, 63, 66, and 79 licenses and is a member of the Financial Services Institute (FSI). Originally from Chicago, Jeff now calls Fairfield home with his wife Nicole and their beautiful daughter. In his free time Jeff enjoys spending time with his family and two golden retrievers, golfing, working on various home improvement projects, traveling, and summers at the lake. |
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Kathy Thornton
Community 1st Credit Union 866-360-5370 Ext. 1602 Kathy is the manager of the Fairfield branch of Community 1st Credit Union. C1st is a not-for-profit financial cooperative with more than $574 million in assets. The credit union, established in 1936, serves more than 58,000 members. C1st has more than 230 employees and is headquartered in Ottumwa. The credit union has branches in Albia, Amana, Bloomfield, Cedar Rapids, Centerville, Chariton, Fairfield, Grinnell, Indianola, Knoxville, Mount Pleasant, Oskaloosa, Ottumwa, Pella and Washington. Kathy was born and raised in Clinton, IA. She previously worked as a loan officer at 1st Gateway Credit Union for 11 years before moving to Fairfield in 1995. She also worked at State Farm Insurance for 5 years before starting at Community 1st in 2001 as a loan officer. She became the branch manager in 2013. Kathy married her husband, Steve in 1979 and they have two sons, Eric and Mark. They also have two beautiful daughter’s in law, Emily and Amber, as well as 5 sweet grandchildren; Chloe, Luke, Conner, Lauren and Colin. In her free time Kathy enjoys traveling (especially anywhere that involves the beach), spending time with her family, playing cards and being outdoors. |
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Denise Hall
Fairfield Dental Clinic 641-472-3158 Denise is the Practice Administrator at the Fairfield Dental Clinic, for Dr. Pat Jones and Dr. Marty Gleason. After attending Kirkwood Community College and graduating with a degree in Dental Assisting, she worked in her hometown of Sigourney for 5 years, before coming to Fairfield to work for Drs. VanTasell & Gleason in 1984 as a Certified Dental Assistant. In 2010 she earned her Expanded Functions Dental Assisting degree, and in 2012 she achieved a Fellowship with the American Dental Assistants Association. Even though she mostly deals with insurance, scheduling, and financing, she has maintained her radiology certification and assisting credentials to be able to work chairside with the doctors as needed. She is currently the secretary for the Fairfield Lions Club, is on the SIEDA board, a member of TTT, and was actively involved with Pekin Sports Boosters, Pekin Dollars for Scholars, and was a Packwood First Responder for 24 years. She and her husband Brad have 3 grown children, and 2 granddaughters. They enjoy spending time at Lake Rathbun with family and friends in their spare time. |
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Jennifer Stever
Miller Realty 641-209-3502 Jen Stever grew up in Fairfield and started her real estate career when Miller Realty opened its doors in 2010. She resides on a small acreage outside of town with her husband and two kids. She is currently involved in Jefferson County Youth Committee, Trojans Unite PTO and you will see her volunteering at various community activities and FHS Concession Stands. In her free time she enjoys being outdoors, horseback riding, camping, and tackling new projects. |
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Mike Parker
TrafFix Devices 641-472-5096 |
Ex-Officios
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Scott Herriott
Maharishi University of Management 641-472-7000 Scott Herriott is the provost at Maharishi University of Management and dean of its College of Business Administration. He received his B.A. degree in mathematics from Dartmouth College and his Ph.D. in management science and engineering at Stanford University. He taught as a business professor at the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Iowa for six years before joining MUM in 1990. He teaches economics, finance, operations management, strategic management, and sustainable business. He recently published two books, Feasibility Analysis for Sustainable Technology: An Engineering-Economic Perspective (2015) and Metrics for Sustainable Business: Measures and Standards for the Assessment of Organizations (2016). Scott is married to Vicki Alexander Herriott, who is the chair of the Management Department in the College of Business at MUM. Vicki is an attorney teaching business law, mediation and human resource management and serves Fairfield as a board member for the Fairfield Arts and Convention Center. Scott enjoys his tennis with the Monday-night men’s doubles group, hikes and skis on vacations, and would restore old wood-and-canvas canoes if he had more time. |
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Joshua Laraby
Fairfield Economic Development Association 641-472-3436 Josh Laraby is the Executive Director for Fairfield Economic Development Association [FEDA.] Laraby has served FEDA since January 2015, initially hired as the Assistant Director and in October 2016 was hired as the Executive Director. He is charged with the administrative oversight of the organization; policy and program development; new and existing business growth and retention; membership relations; and local, regional, state and federal governmental relations and policy advocacy. Prior to joining FEDA, Laraby came with experience in international economic development, real estate management, real estate development, new business recruitment, manufacturing and entrepreneurial support and development. Fairfield Economic Development Association is a not-for-profit organization, established in 1977 with its core mission to: “Sustain and improve the quality of life of the citizen’s in Fairfield, Iowa throughout targeted economic development initiatives and programs.” FEDA works closely with local community development organizations, financial institutions, and businesses, as well as agencies and elected officials in local, county, state and federal government to help facilitate economic growth in Fairfield. Laraby serves on a number of community and economic development boards in the region and is passionate about the community of Fairfield. “Fairfield seems to always have the attention of other communities for its innovation and ability to try new things, while still maintaining a traditional quality of life.” In his spare time, he enjoys spending time in the outdoors and traveling to anywhere with bodies of water including the Upper Peninsula of Michigan where he was born and raised. |
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Rustin Lippincott
Fairfield Iowa Convention and Visitors Bureau 641-472-2000 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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Ed Malloy
Mayor of Fairfield 641-472-8421 Ed Malloy was elected Mayor in 2001. 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 in1983. 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, the Board of Institute for Decision Making at the University of Northern Iowa and the Board of Trustees of Maharishi University of Management. “The Fairfield Area 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 Ex-Officio members of the board.” |
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Dee Sandquist
Jefferson County Supervisor 641-451-1293 |
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Mike Nelson
Dexter Laundry, Inc. Fairfield Manufacturers Association 641-209-8171 |
