Meet the Alumni Association Board of Directors

UIU Class of 1977
Business Administration, Mathematics, Speech / Fayette Campus
Clive, Iowa

I enjoyed a 34 year career with John Deere. In retirement, I enjoy my family, especially my grandchildren, as well as traveling, fishing, and hunting. I attend and support as many UIU events and activities as I can.

Send him an email: [email protected] 

UIU Class of 1975
History & Political Science / Fayette Campus
Solon, Iowa

I never took one business class while at UIU and I have spent the last 47 years in the Financial Services and Insurance field learning the business world. I have been involved very heavily in a number of associations in my field which have given me the opportunity to hold numerous local, state and National leadership positions.  My family is always number one but I also enjoy the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing.

Send him an email: [email protected] 

UIU Class of 1983
Biology  / Fayette Campus
Bettendorf, Iowa

At UIU I enjoyed being a part of Student Council, Science Club, Yearbook, cheering for wrestling, and being an ACACIA Little Sister. After graduation, I attended the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, CO, receiving an M.A. in zoology. I returned to Iowa and worked as a lab coordinator and anatomy instructor. I moved to New Jersey and worked in cellular research and as a chiropractic office manager. I returned to Iowa and I help run my family’s horse stable, raise miniature horses with my daughter, work part time in a cute home decor shop, sit on the Niabi Zoo Foundation Board and raise honeybees (when they don’t die). I love animals, hiking in nature, reading, travelling with my daughter and returning to UIU every fall to get together with great friends for the Homecoming weekend!

Send her an email: [email protected] 

UIU Class of 1976
Business Administration/Sociology  / Fayette Campus
Storm Lake, Iowa

Jeff was active on UIU’s campus as a resident hall advisor, Acacia Fraternity officer, Judicial Dorm Council member and Class President. After graduation, Jeff worked in the UIU Admissions office for several years and went on to earn a Master’s degree in Education from the University of Northern Iowa.

Jeff is now semi-retired after 30 years as a Senior Energy Advisor with PQL. He and his wife, Janis, (E74) split their time between Storm Lake, IA and Greeley, CO. Jeff is the current president of UIU Alumni Association Board.

Send him an email: [email protected] 

UIU Class of 1977
Business Administration  / Fayette Campus
Johnston, Iowa

Bob held a variety of offices as a member of Acacia Fraternity. He was also a Residence Hall Advisor and Head Resident. After graduation, he worked as an Admissions representative for UIU. He went on to earn his MBA from Northern Illinois University and spent 38 years in the Human Resources field. He is now retired, living in Johnston, Iowa.

Send him an email: [email protected] 

UIU Class of 2003
Athletic Training  / Fayette Campus
Miami, Florida

Daniel is a former Peacock wrestler, member of Sigma Alpha Tau and the Student Athlete Advisory Committee, and was honored as UIU Homecoming king during his senior year. Currently, he works at Baptist Health Hospital as an orthopedic outreach/certified athletic trainer in Miami, Florida.

Send him an email: [email protected] 

UIU Class of 1977
Biology  / Fayette Campus
Scottsdale, Arizona

Jeanne is a Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) graduate of Upper Iowa University and Allen Memorial Hospital School of Medical Technology with a Bachelor of Science in Biology, Chemistry, and Medical Technology. She holds a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College (2000), and PhD in Public Administration from North Central University (2008). During her 30 years of service as a Medical Service Corps and multifunctional logisitician, COL Blaes served overseas, as well as stateside. From 1991 to 2007, she held positions of increasing responsibility in both medical and logistics units and Commands, which culminated in her being assigned as the first female Chief of Staff for the AZ Army National Guard. Her last medical assignment was as the Commander for the AZ Medical Command. Following military retirement in 2007, COL Blaes was employed as a State of Arizona employee, holding the position of Deputy Construction and Facilities Management Officer for the AZ Army National Guard. She retired from this position in 2015.

Dr. Blaes has been the President of the AZ Territorial Chapter of the Association of the U.S. Army (AUSA) since 2013 and is a long-time member of AUSA’s National Reserve Component Advisory Committee; now sitting as a senior advisor to the RCAC. She is, also, a member of the ASU ROTC Advisory Council, is the Commander for the Phoenix Chapter of the Military Officers of the World Wars (MOWW), and Chief Financial Officer for the Arizona Youth Leadership, Inc – a non-profit that supports the MOWW annual AZ Youth Leadership Conference (AZYLC). Dr. Blaes is a Class of 2016 inductee into the AZ Veterans Hall of Fame (AVHOF) and is a member of the Unified AZ Veterans (UAV). Her other VSO memberships include: MOAA (life member), NAGUS (life member), EANGUS, WACVA-Chapter 68, and AAAA. She has been a Board member and Council Secretary for the Scottsdale United Methodist Church since 2019 and their Foundation Treasurer since 2021.

Jeanne lives in Scottsdale, AZ and cherishes time with her family of two sons, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren. In her free time, she loves to paint, hike, and rockhound.

Send her an email: [email protected] 

UIU Classes of 2016 & 2018
Business Management & Master of  Business Administration / UIU-Cedar Rapids
Iowa City, Iowa

Danny is a two time graduate of Upper Iowa University: 2016 with a BS in Business Management and in 2018 with an MBA in Business Administration. Since graduating, Danny has started a new business with two other partners called AJA Estate Services, LLC in Iowa City, Iowa. The business is just starting into its 5th year. Danny also served on the UIU Alumni Association Board of Directors for 5 years and was the past Alumni President.

Send him an email: [email protected] 

UIU Class of 1969
Art / Fayette Campus
Elkader, Iowa

Tom is a proud member of the Alumni Association board and past vice president. This accomplished Iowa artist has 45 years of teaching experience. While a student, he was awarded the Thomas Baldwin Art Award. He has since recruited many students to Upper Iowa and works closely with UIU student teachers. His wife, Mary, is also a UIU grad – class of 1970.

Send him an email: [email protected] 

UIU Class of 2002
Elementary Education  / Fayette Campus
Ankeny, Iowa

I earned my elementary education degree in 2002. While on Fayette Campus, I played softball and volleyball, ran women’s track, and was a member of EYE Sorority. I am currently a peak performer for Optavise, representing Washington National. My husband, Ben Buchan ’99, and I have four children and reside in Ankeny, Iowa. My best ability is to build relationships. Without a doubt, this is a skill that everyone notices about me. I always meet people on their level and always make time for people. Being involved in countless academic activities and playing on the UIU volleyball and softball teams enabled me to build a huge Peacock network that spans the world.

Send her an email: [email protected] 

UIU Classes of 2020 & 2021
BS Marketing & Management and MBA General Management / Fayette Campus
Dyersville, Iowa

Jayde Blue, a Fayette County native and fourth-generation Upper Iowa University alumna, has built a thriving career in business growth and marketing. She holds both a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing and Management (2020) and a Master of Business Administration with a focus on General Management (2021) from UIU. During her time on campus, Jayde was actively involved in the Csomay Honors Program and the MBA Link program, and she made a significant impact through her roles in various clubs and organizations. She served as an SGA representative for the Peacock Entertainment Crew, was a dual athlete on the cheer and dance teams, and contributed to the Student Athletic Advisory Committee’s executive board as part of the marketing team. She was also a member of Chi Alpha and the Beta Theta Omega (BTQ) sorority.

Today, Jayde is the owner of Blue Sky Marketing Solutions LLC a business dedicated to helping companies achieve growth through strategic marketing techniques and opportunities. She is passionate about empowering businesses and organizations to reach their full potential with innovative marketing solutions.

Send her an email: [email protected] 

UIU Class of 1978
Biology  / Fayette Campus
Austin, Texas

Bill De Lauro is a strategic operations and technology executive with extensive experience in transforming organizations and enhancing service delivery. He currently serves as the Global Improvement Leader for Oracle’s NetSuite Global Business Unit, a position he has held for 10 years. In this role, he focuses on optimizing service processes and driving continuous improvement initiatives.

Prior to joining Oracle, Bill was Vice President at NetSuite from 2016 to 2017, where he contributed to the company’s growth and operational excellence. From 2013 to 2015, he served as General Manager and Senior Vice President of Operations, Testing, and Services at NSS Labs, Inc., leading information security research and advisory services. His earlier experiences include a tenure as Vice President of Global Operations at Coremetrics, an IBM Company, from 2006 to 2012, where he managed SaaS operations and service delivery, significantly improving service reliability and reducing costs.

Prior to his professional career Bill was an Air Defense Artillery officer with a distinguished 15-year career leaving the Army as a Major (0-4). During his career he had 3 highly successful company-level commands and received 6 awards for Achievement, Commendation & Meritorious Service, Recruiting & Parachutist badges. His units were continually singled out by EUCOM, USAREUR, SETAF, and USAREC Commanders for consistently highest achievement compared to all like companies.

Bill’s educational background includes the US Army Command and General Staff College in Military Science, Leadership, and Operational Art, as well as the Italian Language and Culture at the Defense Language Institute. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology and General Sciences from Upper Iowa University.

He is also an Executive Producer of “The Real American Documentary,” a full-length film project he has been involved with since October 2022. He has 3 kids, 6 grandchildren and lives in Austin, TX.

Send him an email: [email protected] 

UIU Class of 1996
Psychology  / Fayette Campus
Laveen, Arizona

Coming from Harvey, IL, a south suburb of Chicago, to Garbee Hall in 1991 was a shock to my family system. Thank God for Mr. Caballero aka rosy cheeks (his nickname from my grandmother) and Louise Scott for helping my family and I with the transition. While I worked on my degree in psychology and human services, I participated as a peer counselor, football cheerleader, resident assistant, and a member of the track team (I was recently informed that I still hold a school record for the indoor 55m dash). I am also a proud founding member of Phi Beta Delta, 1992. Being crowned homecoming queen was also a highlight of my time at UIU.

I have been a licensed social worker for the past 23 years obtaining my MSW from the University of Illinois @Chicago in 2002. My career has spanned from Illinois, Wisconsin, Texas (twice), and Arizona as a medical social worker. I also have extensive experience in community mental health, med/surg, ICU, rehab, pediatrics, trauma and dialysis. I am currently employed at Banner Desert Medical Center-Level 1 trauma center in Mesa, AZ. My wonderful husband of 10 years, Carl and I currently reside in Laveen Village -Phoenix, AZ. In our free time, we enjoy traveling to California and Texas to visit family and friends, exploring various parts of Arizona, worshipping the Lord, and spoiling our fur baby, Golden aka Goldie.

Send her an email: [email protected]