President
Josh Riessen, Meredith Corp./Living the Country Life
president@aafdsm.com
Current job title: Sales Executive, Living the Country Life/Meredith Corp.
Length of time at current employer: 2 years
What I love best about my job/career: Getting to travel the country and working with a diverse set of agencies and clients.
Previous jobs or leadership positions held: Strategic America, Hy-Vee, President of AAF – Des Moines ’10-’11
Cartoon character I most closely identify with: Bugs Bunny
Favorite kid’s joke: Why do they put fences around cemeteries? Because people are dying to get in.
Most common phrase I could be heard saying in any given day: “You’re kidding, right?”
Favorite past-time or vacation location: Sitting around a fire with family and friends. I love to travel, too.
Favorite quote/saying: “ If you want to gather honey, don’t kick over the beehive.” ~Dale Carnegie
Vice President
Jason Boucher, ZLR Ignition
vp@aafdsm.com
Current job title: VP of Client Service
Length of time at current employer: 10+ years
What I love best about my job/career: Advertising can make people buy stuff they don’t need, and that can be noble, but in my current position I get to do work that changes peoples’ lives.
Previous jobs or leadership positions held: Senior Media Buyer at Progressive Designs, Media Buyer at the Iowa State Fair, Lecturer at Iowa State University, AAF board positions ~ Public Service Director (2 years) and ADDY Director
Cartoon character I most closely identify with: Snoopy
Favorite kid’s joke: So, a salesman breaks down in the middle of nowhere and knock’s on a farmer’s door…
Most common phrase I could be heard saying in any given day: “I love clients.”
Favorite past-time or vacation location: A sunny day at Wrigley Field
Favorite quote/saying: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
Membership Director
Jen Simpson, Radio Iowa & Brownfield Ag News
membership@aafdsm.com
Current job title: Account Executive
Length of time at current employer: 6 ½ years
What I love best about my job/career: The freedom and empowerment that is entrusted to me to grow my network(s) across Iowa as if it were my own business.
Previous jobs or leadership positions held: Account executive at Clear Channel Outdoor; 2-time Salesperson of the Year and President Club recipient with Clear Channel Outdoor, 6 years on the AAF of DSM Board of Directors including the Presidency term touting Division II Club and President of the Year award nationally within AAF, Dale Carnegie Sales Training Highest Award for Achievement peer voted recognition, Urbandale Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the Year
Cartoon character I most closely identify with: Cinderella, why not adorn myself with pretty dresses and ride around in a white chariot? I just need to work on finding the perfect glass slipper since I am lucky enough to already have a Prince Charming!
Favorite kid’s joke: A pirate walks into a bar with a steering wheel as a belt buckle and the bartender kindly points this out to him. The pirate replys, “Arrg…I know. It’s drivin’ me nuts!”
Most common phrase I could be heard saying in any given day: “Seriously, do you know how many calories are in that?”
Favorite past-time or vacation location: Hawaii, no question it was the most adventurous and friend/family fun packed trip ever!
Favorite quote/saying: “Obstacles are those frightful things when you take your mind off your goals.” ~ Henry Ford
ADDY Director
Toni Sarcone, Des Moines Public Library
addys@aafdsm.com
Current job title: Graphic Designer
Length of time at current employer: 5 years
What I love best about my job/career: I love promoting literacy to the community.
Previous jobs or leadership positions you’ve held: AAF Programs director, AAF Diversity Director
Cartoon character I most closely identify with: Stewie
Favorite kid’s joke: What kind of socks do pirate’s wear? Aarrrgghyle!
Most common phrase you could be heard saying in any given day: Is there any coffee left?
Favorite past-time or vacation location: Northern Minnesota
Favorite quote/saying: “Weird doors open. People fall into things.” ~ David Sedaris
ADDY Co-Director – Judging
Jill Emmert, McLellan Marketing Group
addys@aafdsm.com
Current job title: Duchess of Details
Length of time at current employer: 4 years
What I love best about my job/career: The people I work with are not normal…in a good way.
Previous jobs or leadership positions held: 10 years as a bartender, 9 years in the auto auction industry…BOD for the Des Moines Rowing Club
Cartoon character I most closely identify with: Tazmanian Devil
Favorite kid’s joke: What did the fish say when it ran into the wall? Dam.
Most common phrase I could be heard saying in any given day: Lately it has been,“When I was in London…” But usually it is either, “Yada, yada, yada” or, “Blah, blah, blah.”
Favorite past-time or vacation location: Did I mention I just got back from London?
Favorite quote/saying: “If you rest, you rust.” ~ Helen Hayes
Public Service Director
Katie Schetzsle, The Meyocks Group
publicservice@aafdsm.com
Current job title: Account Service Manager
Length of time at current employer: Six Years
What I love best about my job/career: Building relationships with my clients and agency team members and the feeling of accomplishment when I know that I’ve helped improve a brand through marketing communications.
Previous jobs or leadership positions held: I’ve been at The Meyocks Group since I graduated from Iowa. Besides my role with AAF, I’ve taken on leadership roles with the agency, one being a co-chair for our annual summer patio tour.
Cartoon character I most closely identify with: Friend Bear, from the Care Bears clan (can you tell I grew up in the 80s?). Friend Bear is a kind and friendly bear who shows what it means to be a good friend by learning that the best way to make friends, is just be yourself (per Wikipedia).
Favorite kid’s joke: Not necessarily a joke, but a line I enjoy and frequently use,“Would you like some cheese with that whine?”
Most common phrase I could be heard saying in any given day: Don’t have a common phrase, but you can guarantee that I’m talking to my dogs (Kali & Nico, boxer and American bulldog/boxer mix, respectively) whenever I’m around them.
Favorite past-time or vacation location: I love a great dinner with friends and family and would live in southern California any day.
Favorite quote/saying: “If you obey all the rules, you miss all of the fun.” ~ Katherine Hepburn.
Sponsorship Director
Katie Holl, Performance Marketing
sponsorship@aafdsm.com
Current job title: Account Service
Length of time at current employer: 1 year
What I love best about my job/career: Meeting new people and problem-solving
Previous jobs or leadership positions held: Account Manager at Strategic America, Education Director – AAF Des Moines (2 years)
Cartoon character I most closely identify with: Tweety Bird
Favorite kid’s joke: There’s two muffins in the oven. One muffin turns to the other one and says “Man, it’s hot in here.” The other muffin says, “Holy crap, a talking muffin!”
Most common phrase I could be heard saying in any given day: “That’s pretty neat.”
Favorite past-time or vacation location: Anywhere! I love to travel to new places, but one of my favorite close getaways is our lake home on Lake Vermilion in Northern MN. Everything stands still.
Favorite quote/saying: “Don’t waste your time or time will waste you.”
Communications Director
Joel Brewer, Meredith Corporation
communications@aafdsm.com
Current job title: Account Executive
Length of time at current employer: 1 year
What I love best about my job/career: Being inspired by the people around me and the work we accomplish together
Previous jobs or leadership positions held: The Integer Group (’07-’11) Marketing Specialist at United Way of Central Iowa (’06-’07)
Cartoon character I most closely identify with: He is more of a video game character actually…it would be Link from the Legend of Zelda. I love solving puzzles!
Favorite kid’s joke: Funny? Maybe not, but a joke from my favorite show, LOST ~ “What is black and white and red all over? A penguin with a sunburn.”
Most common phrase I could be heard saying in any given day: ”I just got a 100 point word on Words with Friends!” or “Did you see last night’s episode of [insert show title here]“ I watch way too many TV shows…but not reality TV.
Favorite past-time or vacation location: Laying on a beach with a good book and drink in hand
Favorite quote/saying: “Dream as if you’ll live forever. Live as if you’ll die tomorrow” ~ James Dean
Diversity Director
Nick Grant, ZLR Ignition
dversity@aafdsm.com
Current job title: Account Manager
Length of time at current employer: 4 years
What I love best about my job/career: The interaction with clients and seeing them overjoyed with what we’ve created for them.
Previous jobs or leadership positions held: None ~ I started straight out of college.
Cartoon character I most closely identify with: Spongebob Squarepants
Favorite kid’s joke: I like to be humored, can’t think of a good CLEAN joke!
Most common phrase I could be heard saying in any given day: “Wow-wa-wee-wa”
Favorite past-time or vacation location: Relaxing with my wife and/or friends or playing basketball
Favorite quote/saying: “Today was a good day.”
Government Relations Director
Jerry Hadenfeldt, Meredith Corp.
legislative@affdsm.com
Current job title: Director of Government Relations
Length of time at current employer: 34 years, 20 plus in various positions in the Meredith Law Department, now lobbying
What I love best about my job/career: Meeting personally with legislators and their staff here or in DC
Previous jobs or leadership positions held: Roughly in order: lawn care, swimming pool maintenance, janitor, detasseling crew chief, grocery stock boy/bagger, building construction, assembly line foreman at Amana refrigeration, land survey crew, Insurance underwriter, attorney
Cartoon character I most closely identify with: Daffy Duck talking to Foghorn Leghorn
Favorite kid’s joke: Floppy show standard ~ Why did the man put the car in the oven? He wanted a hot rod.
Most common phrase I could be heard saying in any given day: “I wish they would adjourn and go home.”
Favorite past-time or vacation location: Visiting our kids at their homes. ~ I’m tempted not to hang up the towels, etc.
Favorite quote/saying: “Believe none of what you hear, some of what you read and half of what you see.”
Past President/District 9 Representative
Kathleen Riessen, Measured Intentions
kriessen@measuredintentions.com
Current job title: Client Services Director
Length of time at current employer: 3 years
What I love best about my job/career: Flexibility and the creative environment
Previous jobs or leadership positions held: Account Executive at Strategic America, Senior Auditor at KPMG, President of the Year for AAF Division Three (2009-2010)
Cartoon character I most closely identify with: Spongebob Squarepants
Favorite kid’s joke: How does a witch tell time? With a witch watch. (This was my Halloween joke for about 15 years and I have taught my son, Caden, it as well.)
Most common phrase I could be heard saying in any given day: “Seriously?!?”
Favorite past-time or vacation location: Negril, Jamaica
Favorite quote/saying: “If it was easy, everyone would do it.”
Club Administrators
Diana Baratta, AAF Financials
execsec@aafdsm.com
Current job title: Sr. Marketing Coordinator
Length of time at current employer: 15 years
What I love best about my job/career: Working with my reps throughout the country
Previous jobs or leadership positions held: VP of Marketing for Bank of America, President of Ankeny Soccer Club, President of Ankeny Parks and Recreation Board of Directors
Cartoon character I most closely identify with: Road Runner
Most common phrase I could be heard saying in any given day: “Go sell something!”
Favorite past-time or vacation location: Walking the dogs
Favorite quote/saying: “Just do it!”
Sheryl Woolman, AAF Administrator
Sheryl@aafdsm.com
Length of time with AAF: Started in April ~ a bit wet behind the ears, but makes up for lack of tenure with ambition
What I love best about my job/career: Meeting great people who are passionate about their profession
Previous jobs or leadership positions held: Manager of Instruction/Instructor with Dale Carnegie Training for 11 years, Executive Director of the Urbandale Chamber of Commerce, Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute Alum, Leadership Urbandale Alum
Cartoon character I most closely identify with: Tweety Bird ~ Small, but packs a punch; loyal; compelled to break free of enclosed “cages”; inquisitive.
Favorite kid’s joke: Best told by my 5-year-old, “Why did the Kleenex dance? Because he had a little boogie in him.” (Ba-dum-bum. Insert laugh track.)
Most common phrase I could be heard saying in any given day: Seriously,another outfit change?! (Happens when you have 3 little girls in 4 years who all seem to be aware of fashion…or apt to find/create mud puddles.)
Favorite past-time or vacation location: Hawaii
Favorite quote/saying: “Bloom where you are planted.”
