Staff Directory
Our staff are leaders in their fields working together towards our mission; building a better Iowa through entrepreneurship, education, business, innovation and sustainability. We are here to help you!
BCS leadership change
The University of Northern Iowa has appointed Drew Conrad as the new executive director of Business & Community Services (BCS), the economic development outreach arm of the Wilson College of Business, effective July 1. Conrad succeeds Randy Pilkington, who will continue in a part-time capacity to assist with the transition.

Conrad will continue his role as director for the Institute for Decision Making, bringing over three decades of experience in local and statewide economic development planning, research and technical assistance to his new position within BCS. His appointment marks a pivotal step toward the BCS mission of Building a Better Iowa.

After 38 years of leading economic development outreach efforts at UNI, Randy Pilkington will retire from the role of executive director of BCS. Pilkington will continue working part-time to support the leadership transition and focus on special projects, including federal relations, intellectual property and planning. He will also continue to serve as co-chair of the UNI Sesquicentennial Celebration.
Business & Community Services Staff
Institute For Decision Making Staff

Cindy Angel
Research Manager, IDM
Email Cindy Angel →
(319) 273-6943

Karla Organist
Program Manager, IDM
Email Karla Organist →
(319) 273-6524

Liesl Seabert
Program Manager, IDM
Email Liesl Seabert →
(319) 273-8048
Iowa Waste Reduction Center

Michael (Joe) Bolick
Director, IWRC
Email Michael (Joe) Bolick →
(319) 273-6577

Anastasia Bender
Secretary III, IWRC
Email Anastasia Bender →
(319) 273-6575

Chris Lampe
Senior Program Manager, IWRC
Email Chris Lampe →
(319) 273-5354

Dan Nickey
Associate Director, IWRC
Email Dan Nickey →
(319) 273-6588

Jim Olson
Waste Management Specialist, IWRC
Email Jim Olson →
(319) 273-6589
John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center

Patrick Luensmann
Director, JPEC
Email Patrick Luensmann →
(319) 273-4335

Bart Schmitz
Program Manager, JPEC
Email Bart Schmitz →
(319) 273-5732

Shelly Wessels
Office Coordinator, JPEC
Email Shelly Wessels →
(319) 273-5732
Strategic Marketing Services

Christy Ryken
Director, SMS
Email Christy Ryken →
(319) 273-7314

Kim Eastman
Program Associate, SMS
Email Kim Eastman →
(319) 273-2886

Chelsea Morrison
Program Manager, SMS
Email Chelsea Morrison →
(319) 273-7315
Family Business Center

Dan Beenken
Director, FBC
Email Dan Beenken →
(319) 273-4322

Janelle Bolts
Secretary III, FBC
Email Janelle Bolts →
(319) 273-6887

Kristen Toppin
Program Associate, FBC
Email Kristen Toppin →
(319) 273-5784
Advance Iowa

Todd Hutcheson
Director, Advance Iowa
Email Todd Hutcheson →
(319) 431-6396

Judy Butler
Program Manager, Advance Iowa
Email Judy Butler →
(319) 273-4344

Janell Crow
Program Associate, Advance Iowa
Email Janell Crow →
(319) 273-2960
Metal Casting / Foundry 4.0 Centers
GeoTREE Staff
John DeGroote
Director, GeoTREE
Email John DeGroote →
(319) 273-6158
Jonathan Voss
Web Programmer
Email Jonathan Voss →
(319) 273-3877
Andrey Petrov
Academic Director, GeoTREE
Email Andrey Petrov →
(319) 273-6245
Tallgrass Prairie Center
Andy Olso
Prairie on Farms Program Manager, TPC
(319) 273-3828