SECRETARY
Heather Botine, Director of Travel and Merchandise, ISU Alumni Association, Ames, Iowa. Heather has maintained an active role in the community through her volunteer service to Bethesda Lutheran Church, Hope Lutheran Church, Ames campus, Mary Greeley Medical Center Gift Shop, Ames Community School District, United Way, and Boys and Girls Clubs of Story County. Heather and her husband, Gary, raised a son and daughter in Ames and now enjoy their empty nest life in a townhome on Coldwater Golf Course. In her spare time she enjoys playing golf, travel, and visits to her children in Minneapolis and Chicago.
DIRECTOR
Haley Cook, Strategic Engagement Coordinator, Iowa State University Office of the President, Ames, Iowa A forever true Cyclone, Haley graduated from Iowa State University in 2005 with a degree in journalism and mass communication and made Ames her home following graduation. She has served in roles with the ISU College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Ames Convention and Visitor’s Bureau and ISU Conference Planning and Management. In her current position, she provides organization and support to the strategic events and initiatives of the Office of the President. Haley has served on the boards of the National Ag Alumni Development Association, YWCA Ames-ISU, Ames Chamber of Commerce and the executive board for FUEL of Ames (formerly Young Professionals of Ames). She grew up on a farm outside of Wall Lake, Iowa, where she currently co-manages a greenhouse with her mom and sister.
DIRECTOR
Stacy Duhn, Benefits Specialist, Ames Community School District, Ames, Iowa. Stacy enjoys assisting Ames CSD staff as the Benefits Specialist. Beyond her professional commitments, Stacy is involved in PEO, a philanthropic education organization, that is purposeful and passionate about celebrating, supporting, and motivating women with a mission to help women around the world advance through education. Stacy lives in Ames with her husband and their two kids. She can often be found in the bleachers cheering on her kids and their teammates, volunteering in the concession stands, and helping with team events. Stacy enjoys spending time with friends and family, reading, and lending a helping hand.
DIRECTOR
Luke Jensen, President, RES Group, Inc., Ames, Iowa. Luke was raised in Ames. He attended the University of Northern Iowa where he studied finance and real estate. Luke currently serves as the President of RES Group, Inc., a full-service real estate investment company. Luke strives to build community in Ames and is dedicated to the city’s growth and development. He’s recently served as President of the Central Iowa Board of Realtors and Chairman of the Ames Chamber of Commerce. In his spare time, Luke enjoys golfing, coaching his kids in sporting activities, and traveling with his wife and three children.
DIRECTOR
Jane Halliburton, '65 graduate of Iowa State University in Child Development, Retired Story County Supervisor, Ames, Iowa. During her 24-year career in county government, she worked to improve the lives of countless individuals, particularly at-risk children and adults with special needs. Working closely with others, Halliburton led the transformation of Story County Human Services from facility-based to community-based. She was a founding member of the Story County Dental Clinic Advisory Committee to help low-income families access dental services. She advocated for statewide improvements as a longtime member of the Iowa MHMRDDBI Commission and helped organize the first-ever National Special Olympic Games. Halliburton retired at the end of 2010 and continued her service as a volunteer. She served on the board of Raising Readers, was a board member and president of Heartland Senior Services, and chaired the Community Vitality Center Governance Board. She continues to be active in the League of Women Voters of Ames and Story County and the Rotary Club of Ames.
DIRECTOR
Susan Hoshor, Commercial Account Executive, Knapp Tedesco Insurance, Ames, Iowa. Susan has worked for Knapp Tedesco Insurance since 1993, when she and her husband, Steven, moved to town. Together, they raised two children in Ames, Jordon and Haley. In recent years, Susan has enjoyed volunteering for the Ames Salvation Army Food Pantry and the Story County Sheriff's Office. In their spare time, you will find Susan and Steven in Littleton, Colorado, spending time with Jordon and their granddaughter, Emilia, in Ames with Haley, or all together as a family.
DIRECTOR
Sheila Lundt, Retired Assistant City Manager, City of Ames, Ames, Iowa. Sheila was born in Gladbrook, Iowa and is a lifelong Iowan. She has a Bachelor's degree and a Master's degree from Iowa State University. After leaving ISU, she worked as the Budget and Personnel Officer for the City of Webster City, Iowa, for four and a half years. In 1984, she became the Budget Officer for the City of Ames, and in 1987 moved from the Finance Department to the City Manager's Office. She retired from her Assistant City Manager position with the City of Ames in 2012. During retirement she has served on the Ames Foundation Board in various capacities for 10 years and has become an avid gardener. She is an ardent Cycolen fan, and a member of the Collegiate United Methodist Chursh. She has one brother, Niles who resides in Tennessee with his wife Michelle, daughter Honor and son Brady.
DIRECTOR
Pete Smith, Church Life Minister, Lutheran Church of Hope, Ames, Iowa. Pete grew up in NW Iowa and has spent the last twenty years in ministry throughout the country ranging from Iowa to Colorado to Pennsylvania and back to Iowa. Pete is the Church Life Minister at Lutheran Church of Hope Ames and has recently received his Masters of Leadership and Innovation in Ministry from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN. Pete is currently serving on the board for Riverside Lutheran Bible Camp in Story City. Pete and his family live in Ames and spend their free time riding their bikes on dirt trails, camping, traveling, and being with family.
DIRECTOR
Dr. Seldon Spencer, Retired Neurologist, Huxley, Iowa. After 35 years, Dr. Spencer retired from a career as a Neurologist with McFarland Clinic and being involved with outreach clinics in North-Central Iowa in September of 2023. He continues to pursue some niche interest in the field of neurology even in “retirement”. Dr. Spencer and his wife, who worked in Des Moines, reside in Huxley. He enjoys gardening, traveling, and chasing grandkids.
DIRECTOR
Jenni Talbott, Chief Operating Officer, McFarland Clinic, Ames, Iowa. Jenni has lived in central Iowa the majority of her life, having grown up in Roland, Iowa and now residing in Ames, Iowa. She lives with her husband, Jake, and their children, Morgan and Aaron. Jenni’s background is business administration, having graduated from Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, where she competed in three sports: volleyball, basketball, and track & field. Jenni then went on to the University of Iowa for her MHA (Master of Health Administration) and MBA. Jenni has served on the Iowa Healthcare Leaders Association, Ames Community Preschool Center, and Young Professionals of Ames (now FUEL) Boards of Directors, as well as the Go Red for Women Executive Leadership Team. Jenni enjoys spending time outdoors, gardening, playing volleyball, and supporting her children’s activities.
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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Jennifer Ellis, Ogden, Iowa. Jennifer earned her B.S. in Child and Family Services from ISU. She joined Friendship Ark in 2014. She has worked in community based services for individuals with disabilities since 2001 and has held many different positions, working directly with individuals with disabilities as well as in administration. Jennifer and her husband, Paul, have two daughters and live in Ogden, IA. When Jennifer is not attending her daughters' many activities, she is active in her church, enjoys spending time with family and friends, and is passionate in her support of ISU athletic teams.