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 President 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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Jason Davis, Chamber President
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. |
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Michael Parker, President-Elect
TrafFix Devices 641-472-5096 |
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Alex Simmons, Chamber Treasurer
TDT CPAs & Advisors 641-472-6171 Alex was born in Fairfield and raised on a cattle and pig farm north of town. She graduated Fairfield High School in 2010 and Iowa Wesleyan in 2014, where she obtained her degree in accounting. She now works at TDT CPAs & Advisors in Fairfield, where she specializes in tax services.
She has also been active in the Young Professionals of Fairfield, the CTE committee for the Fairfield High School, and the LEAP and Financial Literacy programs with the Iowa Society of CPAs. In her free time, she is busy working in the shop with her husband on their IMCA dirt modified race car. |
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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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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. |
Board of Directors
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Mark Swan
Iowa State Bank 641-472-3161 Mark grew up on a farm southwest of Libertyville, and graduated from FHS in 1989. Living his whole life (so far) in Jefferson County with his wife Heather and their 4 children, Mark has over 20 years of IT experience with Fairfield-based businesses. An accomplished bowler, avid golfer and self-proclaimed “fish catcher” (anyone can go fishing, Mark goes catching), he is a loyal fan of the Atlanta Braves, Pittsburgh Steelers and Florida Gators. |
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Ian Bee
Jefferson County Health Center 641-469-4198 Ian has been on the Fairfield Area Chamber of Commerce board since 2022, and is currently the Marketing and Community Relations Manager for Jefferson County Health Center (JCHC). In this role, he oversees the marketing, advertising, public relations, communications, and community outreach efforts for JCHC. Prior to joining the health center, Ian held several marketing leadership roles in the financial services industry. Ian earned a communications degree from Wartburg College with emphases in public relations and electronic media, and is a Registered Corporate Coach. Outside of work, he is an accomplished vocalist, guitarist, and in-demand wedding singer. Ian enjoys reading, cooking, fitness, and hiking; he resides in Fairfield. |
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Andrew Nordyke
Foss, Kuiken, Cochran, Helling & Willman, P.C. 641-472-3129 Andrew is an attorney with the firm of Foss, Kuiken, Cochran, Helling & Willman, P.C. in Fairfield. Andrew grew up in Warrensburg, Missouri but enjoyed several summers working on his family’s farm north of Fairfield. Andrew received a Bachelor’s of Arts degree from Drake University and a Juris Doctorate from Drake University Law School in 2019. Prior to moving to Fairfield in September, 2020, Andrew practiced law for a year in Des Moines. Andrew and his wife, Sarah, have one son, Arthur and a dog, Gryffin. In his free time Andrew enjoys spending time with his family, cheering on the Kansas City Chiefs, and enjoying time outside. |
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Ryan Swanson
Pilot Grove Savings Bank 641-472-6944 I grew up a mile west of Pekin High School in the country and graduated from Pekin in 2016. I went on to play college football at Morningside University in Sioux City, IA where we won back to back national championships in 2018 & 2019. I graduated from Morningside in 2020 with a Bachelors Degree in Business. I spent my final semester as an intern at Pilot Grove Savings Bank and got hired full time as a loan officer in April of 2020, specializing in Consumer, Residential, Commercial and Agricultural Loans. I enjoy spending my free time with Friends and Family, traveling to as many new places as possible and learning new things every day. |
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Joneane Parker
Joneane Smith Parker, BSN, RN, has deep roots in Jefferson County. After 44 years, she retired as Director of Clinical Services (COO) for Jefferson County Health Center. She is a graduate of Truman State University with advanced studies at Mayo Clinic and Rochester Methodist. Take care of people and their health is her passion. Though retired, she still stays active in healthcare as a JCHC Trustee, a JCHC Foundation member and serves on the Iowa Hospital Association Council of Representation and Advocacy. With her life's philosophy of giving back, she serves on the Fairfield Public Library Board and the Jefferson County Compensation Board. Her retirement occupation is volunteering for numerous area initiatives. She and her husband, Gene, live on a farm SW of Libertyville and have 3 children; Jill, Judson and Jenness and lots of grandchildren. As a lifelong learner, she enjoys herding her wonderful grandchildren around the countryside, with their favorite place being their recreational farm pond, and nationally helping them to learn about their history, nature and respect for the world we've been loaned. Meanwhile, gathering with family and friends, cooking, baking, a good book, and savoring a fine wine are her pleasures. |
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Davis Lowenberg
Century Insurance 641-472-2258 Davis grew up in Fairfield, IA and graduated from Fairfield High School. After High School he attended AIB College of Business where he obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration & Financial Services. Davis worked for Cambridge Investment Research as a Business Analyst from 2013 until joining Century Insurance here in Fairfield in April of 2021. Outside of work he enjoys activities with his wife and 2-year-old son, being outdoors hunting & fishing as well as an avid golfer. |
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Teresa Huffman
JC Huffman Cabinetry 641-472-8385 Teresa Huffman is the co-owner of JC Huffman Cabinetry, a manufacturer of custom cabinetry and a retail showroom of products for home improvement. Born in Bloomfield, IA, Teresa grew up on the family farm. She went on to graduate from Buena Vista University with a B.A., Psychology and Human Services. In 1987, she married her high school sweetheart, Jim. They raised their son, Justin, and daughter Chasity, all while turning their entrepreneurial dreams into reality by starting JC Huffman Cabinetry. Teresa enjoys watching her five amazing grandchildren, Mareyn, Kinzley, Ava, Jaxon, and Georgia. She also enjoys spending her free time flipping houses and spending time outdoors. |
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Carrie Lathrop
Cambridge Investment Research 641-472-5100 |
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 joined Fairfield Economic Development Association in January of 2015 as Assistant Director. In October 2016 he was hired as the Executive Director for FEDA. Prior to his Executive Director role, Josh came with experience in international economic development, real estate development, real estate management, manufacturing, new business recruitment, entrepreneurial support, and civic involvement. Serving as the Chief Administrative Officer for FEDA, Josh is charged with administrative oversight; policy and program development; new and existing business growth and retention; membership relations; and local, regional, state and federal governmental relations and policy advocacy. |
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Connie Boyer
Mayor of Fairfield 641-469-3035 Connie Boyer grew up in Fairfield and is a sixth generation Jefferson County resident. She and husband, Bob, own Seven Roses Inn Bed and Breakfast in Fairfield. Connie worked at Iowa State Bank and parent company, Iowa State Financial Services Company in Fairfield for almost 24 years, retiring from banking in 2012 as CFO of Iowa State Financial Services Company. Connie graduated from the University of Wisconsin’s Graduate School of Banking in 2000 and Financial Manager’s School in 2004. She currently works as a Financial Advisor with Edward Jones. Connie Boyer served on City Council from 2003-2007 and 2011-2013, with the second term serving as Mayor Pro-Tem. She participated on the 10 Year Strategic Plan, Co-Chaired the Go Green Commission in 2009, served on the Fairfield Arts & Convention Center Board for 10 years, is a member of Rotary, serving as President two different times and is currently a member of the Fairfield Library Foundation Board and PEO Chapter MB. Connie has twin daughters and five grandchildren. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time outdoors, traveling, reading non-fiction, golf and being with her grandchildren. |
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Dee Sandquist
Chair, Jefferson County Board of Supervisor 641-472-2851 Dee’s family has been in Jefferson County since 1886. Growing up, Dee worked on her family’s farm, graduating from Fairfield High School in 1971. In 2008, she returned to care for her aging mother and help manage the farm. Dee and her husband are mid-size family farmers and use conservation practices to care for the land, air and water. She learned to care for the land from her dad, who was a state and national board member for soil and water conservation. Dee is a successful small business owner. She and her husband started one of the first gluten-free specialty grocery stores in the nation in 2005 and sold it in 2009. She has a Master of Science degree in Hotel, Restaurant and Institution Management from Iowa State University and is an active member of the community. |
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Chad Christensen
President of Fairfield Manufacturers Association 641-472-3436 Chad is a sales engineer with Agri-Industrial Plastics Company where he joined the firm in 2007. A few of his responsibilities include developing projects with new and current customers, managing and overseeing projects, maintaining customer relationships, and growing the overall customer base. Originally from Iowa City, he graduated from Iowa City West High School and then furthered his education at UNI, where he graduated with a degree in broadcast journalism in 1994. Immediately out of college Chad began his professional career in the communications business and lived in Grundy Center and Iowa Falls. Chad and his wife Jennifer met at UNI and married in 1995. Jennifer is a 1989 graduate of Fairfield High School and has roots in Jefferson County. She is a K-1 special needs teacher at Washington Elementary. They call home rural Libertyville and have three children, Alex, Claire, and Nile. In his free time, he enjoys fishing, hunting and attending Iowa football games and Iowa wrestling meets. |
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Lindsay Bauer
Fairfield Arts and Convention Center 641-472-2000 Lindsay is a Midwest Nonprofit Leader and Arts Advocate newly come to Fairfield in the Summer of 2020. She is the Executive Director of the Fairfield Arts & Convention Center, the primary gathering place in Jefferson County for performing arts, corporate functions, weddings and private celebrations. Lindsay resides in Fairfield with her spouse and young son, and a feisty cat named Charlotte. If she has free time, she's most likely to spend it reading. |
