TAI Announces Graduation of Inaugural Iowa Tech Connect Cohort
DES MOINES, Iowa (December 14, 2023) – The Technology Association of Iowa (TAI) is proud to announce the graduation of its inaugural Iowa Tech Connect (ITC) cohort.
The interactive, six-month program focused on topics covering relationship building, professional presence, navigating organizational ecosystems and community engagement. The twenty-five cohort graduates represent companies and organizations from a wide range of industries and markets across the state of Iowa.
“These talented professionals have gained not only advanced skills that will support career growth but a unique perspective, enabling them to make significant impacts within their organizations,” said Brian Waller, president of the Technology Association of Iowa. “This program is not just about individual growth; it’s about strengthening Iowa’s entire tech ecosystem through our incredible tech talent that will be prepared to tackle the challenges of tomorrow.”
Congratulations to the Iowa Tech Connect 2023 Cohort:
Alex Boettger
Application Analyst IV, Annuity IT, TruStage
Addelyn Brewer
Business Intelligence Analyst III, Athene
Amanda Calmer
IT Business Relationship Consultant, Farm Bureau Financial Services
Breton Clark
Marketing Coordinator, Technology Association of Iowa
Dobson Douglass
Developer, VGM Fulfillment
Leah Haugh
Staff Software Engineer, John Deere
Kyle Hauswirth
Cyber Security Engineer, Kum & Go
Grant Heckman
IT Systems Engineer, Kum & Go
Emma Langston
Talent Acquisition Lead, Lean TECHniques Inc.
Shifali Malhotra
Professional Software Consultant, Lean TECHniques Inc.
Alec McGlasson
Cloud Platform Engineer, EMC Insurance Companies
Joe McNally
Data Engineer, Principal Financial Group
Teresa Middleton
Research Scientist II, ISU Digital Ag Innovation Lab
Holton Miller
Embedded Software Engineer, John Deere
Tyler Morphew
Systems Technician II, ITA Group, Inc.
Juan Navarro
Retail Systems Analyst II, Fareway Stores, Inc.
Iris Nguyen
Software Developer, The VGM Group, Inc.
Tim Paulson
Senior Data Analyst, Product Owner, Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Josh Phillips
IT Team Lead, Pella Corporation
Mariya Ruffcorn
Application Analyst III, TruStage
Gabriel Stackhouse
Software Engineer III, GlobalVetLink
Kayla Tan
Data Scientist, revology
Devan Vander Veen
QA Engineer Automated 1, GlobalVetLink
Colin Ward
Industry Specialist, Kingland
Matthew Wharff
Support Analyst, ITA Group, Inc.
Nominations and applications for the 2024 Iowa Tech Connect Cohort will open in March 2024. Submit your interest here.
Iowa Tech Connect is made possible by the generous support of our sponsors:
About the Technology Association of Iowa (TAI)
Founded in 1997, The Technology Association of Iowa is a statewide, member-based organization focused on building and uniting Iowa’s technology community. TAI advances the tech industry through engaging programming, premier events, talent development, driving public policy, and fostering a culture of diversity and inclusion to lead Iowa forward.
Get involved at www.technologyiowa.org and follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter, and on LinkedIn.
Media Contact:
Nick Donovan, Vice President of Marketing and Communications
Technology Association of Iowa
Email: nick@technologyiowa.org
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