The NIACC Foundation elected three North Iowans to its Board of Directors at the December 11 Board meeting.  Jesús Avilés of Mason City, Bill Cooney of Clear Lake and Cathy Rottinghaus of Charles City will officially join the NIACC Foundation Board in 2008.

Jesús Avilés

Jesús Avilés of Mason City has been in the gaming business for 34 years and is currently the General Manager at Diamond Jo Casino in Northwood. He graduated from Briar Cliff University with a business degree and has worked to complete his MBA.  His responsibilities at the executive level have included duties as Controller, Public Relations, Director, General Manager, and Vice President.  Avilés has been active in many organizations.  He has served as Chairman of the Iowa Gaming Association and Treasurer of the Missouri Gaming Association.  He has also served on the Boards of NPR; KWIT 90 in Sioux City; Sioux City Chamber of Commerce; Big Brothers Big Sisters; New Perspective Initiative; and the United Way.  He is a Rotarian and a Trustee of the Boy Scouts of America and is currently serving on the Mason City Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.  Jesús and his wife, Aida, have two daughters and one granddaughter.

Bill Cooney

Bill Cooney of Clear Lake graduated from the University of Northern Iowa in 1978.  He is currently an Investment Management Consultant at Raymond James & Associates, Inc. in Mason City and previously worked for Piper Jaffray.  Cooney is a member of the Raymond James Institute of Investment Management Consulting.  He has taught several finance classes for Buena Vista University.  His community involvements include the Mason City Masonic Temple, Mason City Elks Club, treasurer for the North Iowa Tennis Club and former president of the Clear Lake Booster Club.  Bill and his wife, Julie, have three sons, one daughter and two grandchildren. 

Cathy Rottinghaus

Cathy Rottinghaus of Charles City is the Community President at First Citizens National Bank in Charles City, where she has been employed for 22 years.  She earned her bachelor’s degree from Iowa State University.  Rottinghaus is the secretary/treasurer of The Learning Center in Charles City, vice president of the Charles City Area Development Corporation and co-chair of the Capital Fund Drive for the YMCA of Charles City.  She is the former treasurer of the YMCA of Charles City and has served on various committees of the Charles City Area Chamber of Commerce.  Cathy and her husband, Clair, have three sons and one daughter.

Other members of the NIACC Foundation Board of Directors are Charles MacNider (President), Kevin Kolbet (Vice President), Kristy Arzberger, Brad Davis, Barb Heilskov, J.R. (Dick) Herbrechtsmeyer, Rosie Hussey, Dan Latham, Jon Lewerke, Joyce Nielsen, Bob Olson, Bradley Robson, Linda Schaefer, Russell Schurtz, Jean Torgeson and Linda Upmeyer.

Created in 1968 as a separate 501(c) 3 organization, the NIACC Foundation strives to keep higher education accessible to North Iowa residents through student scholarships and to enhance the programs and activities of the College.

The NIACC Foundation's mission is to support the College through scholarships, fundraising for special projects, grants for instructor education or other areas of need to help the College work toward its mission. If you have an interest in learning more about the NIACC Foundation or would like to see how you can help secure the future of the College and its excellence through a gift to the NIACC Foundation, please contact us at (641) 422-4386.