NIACC News Release
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March 14, 2001
Several North Iowans have joined the NIACC Foundation Board of Directors. They are: Gordon Anderson of Osage; Jim Benjegerdes of rural Mason City; Patricia O’Brien Galasso and Robert Halford of Clear Lake; Dr. John Hitzhusen of Charles City; Dr. Richard Hynes of Forest City; Tel Pappajohn of Mason City; and David Steffens, Sr. of Lake Mills. Gordon Anderson, a 1962 graduate of Mason City Junior College (NIACC’s predecessor), is the Regional President of First Citizens National Bank in Osage, where he has worked for nearly 30 years. His longest-running community involvements include the Osage Municipal Utilities Board of Trustees, the Mitchell County Civil Service Board, and the Mitchell County 4-H Foundation. A member of the Osage Rotary Club and Our Saviors Lutheran Church, he has served on the NIACC/Osage Adult Education Advisory Board and the Keeping NIACC First Executive Committee. He and his wife, Johanna, have two grown daughters. Jim Benjegerdes has farmed in the Mason City-Manly area for 40 years. He served on the NIACC Board of Directors for 20 years, including over six years as board president. His other involvements include the Manly Coop Elevator, Bethel United Methodist Church, and Cerro Gordo Mutual Insurance. He and his wife, Carolyn, have three grown children. Patricia O’Brien Galasso owns Ge-Angelo’s Inc., including Ge-Jo’s by the Lake Italian Restaurant & Lounge of Clear Lake, with her husband, Gene. She is a member of the Cerro Gordo County Health Board, the Clear Lake Economic Development Corporation, and the Mason City and Clear Lake Chambers of Commerce. A consultant and certified entrepreneurship trainer, she was named Iowa Woman Entrepreneur of the Year in 2000 and is an advisory board member for the North Iowa Small Business Development Center and Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center. The Galassos have a grown daughter. Robert Halford was with the Clear Lake Independent Telephone Company for 43 years. After graduating from Mason City Junior College in 1948, he earned his engineering degree from Iowa State University. His involvements have included the Clear Lake Lions, Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development Corporation, School Board and Jaycees. He is a member of the Congregational Church, the American Legion and VFW, and he served recently on the Keeping NIACC First Executive Committee. He and his wife, Carol Lee, have three grown children. John Hitzhusen of Charles City is a retired dentist who practiced for 56 years. He graduated from Mason City Junior College in 1934 and served on the NIACC Board of Directors for 23 years. A member of Kiwanis and the Methodist Church, he has been involved with the Airport Commission, the Floyd County Fair Board, the American Legion, VFW, and the YMCA. He was named Man of the Year in 1997 by the Charles City Chamber of Commerce and a Distinguished Alumnus last year by the NIACC Alumni Association. He and his wife, Donna, have two grown children. Richard Hynes is a Forest City dentist. A 1960 Mason City Junior College graduate, he is the Iowa chapter president for the American College of Dentists and past president of the Iowa Dental Association. His local involvements have included Rotary, Forest City Development, the Forest City School Board, the Forest City Bike Trail, and his church finance board. He and his wife, Vera, have three grown children. Aristotle "Tel" Pappajohn is Executive Vice President of First Insurance in Mason City. The 1949 graduate of Mason City Junior College, he is a member of state and local insurance associations and the Greek Orthodox Church. He is also a former vice president of the Mason City Chamber of Commerce and a recent member of the Keeping NIACC First Executive Committee. He and his wife, Barbara, have four grown children. David Steffens, Sr. is CEO of Norsemen Trucking, Inc. A former Lake Mills mayor, he is a member of the Lake Mills Chamber of Commerce, Development Group, and Elks and Lions Clubs. He has served on the Win-Worth Betco Board, the Top of Iowa Welcome Center Board, the Top of Iowa Transportation Committee, the North Iowa Round Table, the North Iowa Mercy Foundation, the Terrace Hill Foundation, the Waldorf Research Advisory Board, the Senior Housing Advisory Committee, and the Keeping NIACC First Executive Committee. He and his wife, Bonnie, have three sons. Other members of the NIACC Foundation Board of Directors are Kary Paulson (President) of Northwood; Elaine Coonley (Vice President) of Hampton; Ruth DuPuis, Joyce Nielsen and Ann Schurtz of Mason City; Dianne Paca of Garner; and Larry Richards of Charles City. The NIACC Foundation, which was organized in 1968 to help the College fulfill its mission, recently raised over $5 million during its first major gifts campaign, Keeping NIACC First. Ref. 1792 |
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