Jean Saveraid
District B-Huxley Exchange
How many years have you resided in the local community? 39 years since 1983
What other boards or committees have you served on?
Story County Extension – 12 years Treasurer, Palestine Church Council – 6 years Worship and Memorial Committee, Ballard Community Performing Arts Association – 6 years Financial Secretary, Beta Sigma Phi – 27 years President and other offices, American Heart Association Go Red for Women – 12 years Coordinator of the Ames Go Red Fitness Challenge, Ballard CSD Dollars for Scholars – 18 years President and Secretary, Ballard Community School Board – 21 years President and Vice President
Please describe your career experience?
I am a lifelong educator. I spent nine years teaching fourth grade in Wisconsin and 28 years teaching Gifted and Talented in a shared positions at Gilbert and United Community. I was an adjunct professor for Drake University teaching online classes in Literature for the Gifted Student. I retired from Gilbert in 2011 and have spent the last 11 years as a substitute teacher. For the past five years I have evolved into an Ag Enterprise Manager assisting in the finances, government regulations, workforce, and other day-to-day operations of our Ag business.
Why do you want to serve on the Huxley Communications board of directors?
I have deep roots in the community that makes me very approachable, and I am always available to help the Ballard Community members work through challenges and issues they may have. I have a historical perspective that will help in charting a path to the future based on where we’ve been.
Please describe any additional related experience that would make you a better candidate for the board.
Having been in an education environment I have learned about technology since it was an early learning tool in the classroom. I am an experienced individual who has continued to move into the 21st century technology. Having been on several boards, I have worked with budgets and financial concerns of the different variety of organizations
Please provide any additional comments you would like to share.
I am as community servant, and I have the time and energy to devote to the Huxley Communication Cooperative. I have had a long-standing relationship with Huxley Communications going back to when I had a single landline phone in a two-story home to a time when a fiber optic line stretched from the “box” to a tree to my roof line when a new home was being built. Now I am in the 21st Century with a router that serves my internet very well. I am concerned with broadband service being available to rural areas and serving the education needs of our Ballard CSD. I would work to continue the outstanding service that Huxley Communications offers their customers.
Personal Information
My husband David and I have resided in rural Huxley since 1983. Our two sons are both Ballard graduates. Our oldest son Clint graduated from Iowa State University with an Ag Systems Technology degree and farms over 1,500 acres in central Iowa. Our youngest son Greg, graduated from Iowa State University with a BS and MS in Industrial Engineering and works for John Deere as a Supply Base Manager. He is married to Emily who is the Executive Director of the Iowa 4-H Foundation. They have blessed us with a granddaughter who attends Pre-K at Whistle Stop Learning Academy. Our family enjoys showing Percheron draft horses at the Iowa State Fair and we have sponsored for 17 years a Herdsmanship/Stall Decorating contest for all breeds of draft horses.
John Murphy
District B-Huxley Exchange
How many years have you resided in the local community? 3.5 Years
What other boards or committees have you served on?
Huxley Planning and Zoning member since May 2021; Wheatsfield Cooperative Finance Manager from 2008 – 2019, attended board of directors meetings and provided recommendations on projects and business plans.
Please describe your career experience?
I am a CPA with a Charted Global Management Accountant designation and have over 20 years of experience. Currently I work as a instructor in Accounting and Business at DMACC as well as an Adjunct instructor at Drake University.
Why do you want to serve on the Huxley Communications board of directors?
I would like to become more involved in the community and help the community stay strong and vibrant. I believe I have related experience and skill sets that would be beneficial to the cooperative, which in turn can help the community grow and thrive.
Please describe any additional related experience that would make you a better candidate for the board.
I worked as the Finance Manager for Wheatsfield Cooperative for 11 years which is also an Iowa 499 Cooperative. Combining the knowledge of an Iowa 499 with my experience as a CPA would add synergy to the board.
Please provide any additional comments you would like to share.
I’m excited about the opportunity to serve on the board and contribute to the success of the cooperative. I would be happy to meet with anyone who has additional questions, so please reach out and let’s connect.
Personal Information
I enjoy volunteering and helping others, including at the Iowa Veterans Home through the Ames Elks Lodge. I also volunteer my services to prepare all financial statements and tax requirements for the Elks Lodge. We’re a Cyclone family, as my wife, Shawnna and I are both alumni along with our oldest daughter, Ashley. Our youngest daughter, Jacque, is a current ISU student. This past summer we’ve had the opportunity to explore the Heart of Iowa bike trails and look forward to doing that again this year.
Kate-Brileigh Sears
District C-All service areas of the Cooperative except Huxley and Kelley
How many years have you resided in the local community? 19 years
What other boards or committees have you served on?
FFA- Member and cabinet position holder, PAS (Post-Secondary Agricultural Student) -Member and cabinet position holder. North Polk Community School District- Member/ Faculty, St. Baldrick’s Foundation-Member and team leader, Iowa State University Foundation- member, Polk County Fair- Member, volunteer, Iowa Cattleman’s Association- Member and Volunteer, Iowa State Fair- Volunteer
Please describe your career experience?
My work experience includes a wide array of agricultural and community outreach positions. I have had the privileges of working in the agricultural industry over the past 8 years and have held numerous positions. I feel lucky to of had hands on agricultural experience as well as of held leadership roles assisting farmers and production agricultural counterparts “feed the world”. I currently work as Development Director for the College of Agriculture at Iowa State University. This role allows me to be community facing and give back to the college of agriculture and life sciences at Iowa State.
Why do you want to serve on the Huxley Communications board of directors?
Having the opportunity to serve on the board for Huxley Communications would be a very humbling experience. As a member of the cooperative and service receiver of Huxley Communications, I feel very lucky to have strong and powerful Wi-Fi that allows me to do my nation-wide job from the comfort of my home. Having fiber optic Wi-Fi in rural communities impacts the community’s viability. It allows rural residence to be able to work from home and in many cases supports their livelihood. Being in the agricultural industry i have seen first-hand how important it is for farmers and production agriculture workers to have stable Wi-Fi. Having a Wi-Fi connection is extremely important when importing and exporting data into harvest and planting monitors. It allows the farmer to not only safely, but sufficiently do their job, and that i believe in. I want to be a part of something bigger and help keep rural communities viable for many years to come.
Please describe any additional related experience that would make you a better candidate for the board.
I have experience in leadership roles as well in community outreach. I work well under pressure and maintain a level head in adversity. I am advocate for my people as well as have the ability to keep a fair-minded mentality. I am a go-getter and have experience in public speaking as well as in starting new community programs for all ages.
Please provide any additional comments you would like to share.
I look forward to having the opportunity to serve my community by being a board member for Huxley Communications!
Personal Information
I grew up on a small farm just outside of Elkhart. I was an active participate in 4H and FFA as well in the Polk County and Iowa State fair. I love working cattle and spending time with my friends and family. I am an avid golfer and a big football and baseball fan. I enjoy finding ways to give back to my community and volunteering at community and city-wide organizations as i am able. I enjoy traveling and just want to see and do it all! I am an annoyingly optimistic person whose glass is always half full.
Roger Larsen
District B-Huxley Exchange
How many years have you resided in the local community? 27 years
What other boards or committees have you served on?
I’ve served on numerous project teams and committees throughout my working and military careers. I’ve also served on the Huxley Prairie Festival Committee a few years ago.
Please describe your career experience?
I’ve worked as an engineer for the Iowa Department of Transportation for approximately 27 years. I also served in the Iowa National Guard for approximately 30 years attaining the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
Why do you want to serve on the Huxley Communications board of directors?
Like other Huxley Communications members, I received a letter soliciting applications for the Board of Directors. I then met with Levi Bappe, the General Manager and he shared with me the direction of where Huxley Communications is headed. Huxley Communications has very promising based on the efforts of Levi and all of the Huxcomm employees as well as the past and present Board members. Based on that discussion, I decided to apply because I feel I have the ability and experience to contribute to the future of Huxley Communications.
Please describe any additional related experience that would make you a better candidate for the board.
The most relevant experience that I have is that I served on the Medical Group Executive Management Council of for 8 years while in the National Guard. This was a board of Medical Group members that provided short and long term direction for that military unit.
Please provide any additional comments you would like to share.
I’ve lived in Huxley for approximately 27 years and have enjoyed the services provided by Huxley Communications the entire time. I’d really like to contribute to the continued success of Huxley Communications.
Sharon Chism
District B-Huxley Exchange
How many years have you resided in the local community? 15 years
What other boards or committees have you served on?
I have been involved with local faith-based committees throughout the time I have been part of our community. I was thankful for the opportunity to be a volunteer 4H leader. Also, involvement with school reading programs, Fine Arts, sports groups, and FFA when our kids were in school.
IA Real Estate Appraiser Board member, appointed by Governor, 6 years member, also Chair; IA Chapter Farm Managers & Rural Appraiser 2-year Board member; Iowa Soybean Association District Advisory Council, current member 1 year.
Please describe your career experience?
I have worked with land, as a caretaker of soil my entire life, from a northern Iowa grain & livestock farm to property management and farming.
Why do you want to serve on the Huxley Communications board of directors?
I am thankful our local communication cooperative provides daily benefits to me with dependable communication tools which is a convenience and is a vital resource in business. I would like to give back to my cooperative by serving as a board member. My listening and observation skills provide the ability to learn how an organization accommodates challenges and opportunities. Asking questions and providing a vision of how to anticipate change while constantly creating value for its members is essential to a cooperative’s success. The eight-member board serves 3,000+ members of Huxley Communications.
Please describe any additional related experience that would make you a better candidate for the board.
We lived in Ankeny for a decade before residing in Huxley. I participated in the Ankeny Chamber of Commerce Leadership class. It was instrumental in learning skills to be effective in giving back to our community.
Please provide any additional comments you would like to share.
I am thankful for our Huxley Communication employees and board. I would appreciate your vote as a nominee for our Coop’s board of directors
Personal Information
I believe in lifelong learning for the common good. A reliable local communication coop is essential to a thriving local economy. It is very rewarding to help create an impact that empowers people to be the best that they can be in improving and sustaining their community.
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