TAI Announces The Iowa Technology Leadership Institute, Class of 2022 Members

The Technology Association of Iowa (TAI) is proud to announce the 2022 class members. The Iowa Technology Leadership Institute develops tomorrow’s Iowa technology leaders through programming designed to fill gaps that technical education and experience can often neglect. 

2022 Class Members

Mandy Abbas, Manager – Analytics, UnityPoint Health

Steve Billingsley, Enterprise Architect, ITA Group, Inc.

Cathy Blood, Senior Integration Analyst/Applications Solution Tester, GCommerce, Inc.

Emily Burns, IT Manager, Ruan Transportation Management Systems

Lisa Butler, Information Security Officer, Mom’s Meals

Kevin Hersom, Director IT – Platforms, CUNA Mutual Group

Josh Holst, VP of Cloud Services, Involta, LLC

Ryan Huffman, Data Science Lead, Growers Edge Financial, Inc.

Mike Johnson, Director of IT, Don Hummer Trucking

Katie Jones, Integration Manager, EMC Insurance Companies

Amanda, Kasten, Director of Program Management, Kingland Systems

Shivani Kharbanda, Data Scientist, John Deere – Intelligent Solutions Group

Michael Lohrbach, Director Information Technology, Iowa State University

Stephen Morgan, Director of IT Architecture, Fareway Stores, Inc.

Andrew Mueller, HR Systems & Planning Manager, Pella Corporation

Casie Muller, Assistant Director – Engineering, Principal Financial Group

Beth Rissman, Technical Delivery Manager, Pearson

Scott Robinson, Director — Web Development, Merchants Bonding Company

Howard Samarin, IT Supervisor, United Equipment Accessories Inc.

Page Smith, Director of Digital Solutions, Kreg Tool Company

John Sonneville, Senior Solutions Architect, Data and Analytics, John Deere Financial

Theresa Swaim, Application Development Manager, FBL Financial Group, Inc.

Bryan Tonne, VP-IT Operations, VGM Group

Aaron Welch, IT Manager, Ramco Innovations

Ryan Wood, Director, IT Security & Systems Engineering, Kum & Go

The program consists of engaging presentations, interactive panelists, small group problem-solving scenarios, and one-on-one mentoring from experienced technology executives, and will run from January – June 2022.


Michelle Bates, Founder and CEO of SkyPrairie Inc., and Dave Tucker, Partner at Next Level Ventures, serve as Technology Executives in Residence to spearhead the curriculum formation and provide individuals progressive and leading academia. 

“TAI is thrilled to launch the Iowa Technology Leadership Institute, a program designed by Iowa technology executives to provide a robust professional network and essential leadership skills for the future leaders of the Iowa tech industry,” stated Brian Waller, President at Technology Association of Iowa. 

The Iowa Technology Leadership Institute is proudly sponsored by Principal Financial Network, Iowa State University Ivy College of Business and Involta. 

For more information, visit technologyiowa.org/iowa-technology-leadership-institute/.



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