Technology Association of Iowa Announces Iowa Tech Connect 2024 Cohort
DES MOINES, Iowa (June 3, 2024) – The Technology Association of Iowa (TAI) announces the 2024 cohort for Iowa Tech Connect, a professional and talent development initiative tailored for early-career technology professionals in Iowa.
Brian Waller, President of TAI, expressed enthusiasm about the new cohort, stating, “We are proud to welcome this dynamic group of tech professionals as they build their careers. We are thankful for the partnership and investment from John Deere, EMC Insurance, and Iowa State University in helping support the growth of Iowa’s technology industry.”
The program, spanning six months, offers professional development through expert-led insights, immersive learning experiences, and a strong emphasis on relationship building. The twenty-four cohort members represent a broad range of industries, contributing diverse perspectives and experiences to the program.
“John Deere’s unwavering support for the Iowa Tech Connect program reflects our dedication to fostering a vibrant technical community in Iowa,” said Scott Hany, IT Director at John Deere. “We recognize the pivotal role of emerging technologies in shaping our industry and are committed to nurturing talent that drives innovation and economic success through this program.”
In support of the initiative, Joe Riesberg, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer at EMC Insurance Companies, emphasized the broader impact. “This program is not just a conduit for technical prowess but a channel for cultivating the leaders of tomorrow. We remain committed to nurturing early-career tech professionals, and we are excited to see the innovative contributions they will bring to our businesses and community.”
Adding to the support, The Ivy College of Business at Iowa State University plays an important role. Dean David Spalding added, “The Ivy College of Business at Iowa State is proud to support the Iowa Tech Connect professional development program. As the leading school in business and technology education in Iowa, we are excited to meet the next generation of tech leaders in our state.”
Iowa Tech Connect 2024 Cohort list:
Daniel Alonso
Application Analyst, TruStage
Nathanael Bunge
Retail Systems Analyst, Fareway Stores
Abby Draisey
Cyber Security Analyst, Principal Financial Group
Brooke Erickson
Software Analyst, John Deere
Zachary Hardin
Software Engineer, Lean TECHniques
Danielle Heim
Security Analyst, ITA Group
Joshua Higginbottom
Visualization Technical Lead, Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence
Isaac Hoffman
Business Systems Analyst, F&G
Ian Hughes
Data Platform Engineer, EMC Insurance Companies
Lauren Johnson
Member Services and Engagement Coordinator, TAI
Sabina Johnson
Developer I, Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines
Allison Kempf
Site Reliability Engineer, Workiva
Mariah Kennedy
System Technician II, ITA Group
Joanna Longwe
Software Developer, VGM Group
Sam McKendree
Information Security Analyst, VGM Group
Josh Prokupek
IT Manager of Infrastructure Systems, Pella Corporation
Grace Quigley
Software Engineer, Principal Financial Group
Justin Ridout
Application Developer, Farm Bureau Financial Services
Dylan Shroll
Systems Security Manager, West Bank
Mikaela Stanislav
Software Engineer, Lean TECHniques
Chase Weida
Operations Analyst, Kingland
Parker Wieseler
Software Engineer, Wells Enterprises
Joe Wilson
UX Product Manager, Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield
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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