Zakaria (Zak) Joundi is a native of Morocco, North Africa, graduating from NIACC in 2003. Zak continued on to Iowa State University where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering with a focus on power systems in 2005 and a Master of Business Administration from Indiana Kelley School of Business specializing in Finance.

Zak joined MISO (Midcontinent Independent System Operator) in 2006 and currently serves as Executive Director, Markets Innovation & Strategy. MISO is a not-for-profit organization that plays a vital role in managing the electric grid and market operation across 15 U.S. states, including Iowa, and parts of Canada. Zak leads a team on key market design changes to ensure the reliable operation of energy markets both now and in the future. Throughout his tenure at MISO, Zak has taken on a variety of increasingly significant roles across multiple divisions, including Generation and Transmission Planning, Market Administration, Data & Analytics, and Research and Development. His work has contributed to numerous major initiatives at MISO – all areas that directly impact Iowa’s energy markets and ensuring our readiness to manage the energy transition.

In addition to his leadership in market design, Zak’s work involves close collaboration with hundreds of stakeholders, commissioners, and industry experts, all working together to advance the future of energy, including efforts that are particularly important to Iowa’s energy needs and economic growth. Zak currently is an active member of CIGRE, an international organization in the power industry. He is the past chair of the Markets committee for the Independent System Operators in the US and Canada. For the past 10 years, Zak has served a board member of a non-profit that helps under-privileged in the Indiana area as well as volunteering for the last 15 years at a soup kitchen serving the local homeless community where he lives.

Zak’s personal ties to Iowa deepened in 2007, when he married his college sweetheart, Lori, who is from Mount Vernon, Iowa. They reside in Carmel, Indiana with their three children. They enjoy watching their kids’ numerous sports activities and attending the many professional sporting events that the Indianapolis area has to offer. The Joundi family loves to travel and takes advantage of any opportunity to either discover regions of our beautiful country or expose their children to new cultures around the globe.

Janice (Jan) Nierling is a native Iowan, born and raised in Cedar Rapids, and a dedicated lifelong learner. She graduated from NIACC in 2017 with an Associate’s Degree in Physical Therapist Assistant, adding to her Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication from Iowa State University.

Jan spent 22 years as a newspaper and magazine writer and editor, starting in Fairfield where she rose to the role of Editor, then at newspapers in Ottumwa and Iowa City, and at magazines in Dubuque, and Tulsa, OK. She later expanded her career in publications and marketing working for the Houston Marathon in Houston, TX. Before enrolling at NIACC, Jan served as the volunteer coordinator for the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) for five years, showcasing her passion for community engagement and service. She worked for Synergy Physical Therapy after graduating from NIACC’s PTA program.

Her commitment to service extends beyond her career. Jan spent five years as a volunteer ambassador at Mercy Medical Center–North Iowa, including two years as Chair of the Ambassador Board of Directors. She has also been a dedicated NIACC volunteer, contributing hundreds of hours to the NIACC Food Pantry and reading NIACC Foundation scholarship applications.

Jan lives in Mason City with her spouse.

Front Row (Left to Right): Lola VonBrown (Mason City, IA), Jaedrek Bowles (Wellsburg, IA), Kaitlin Blair (Red Deer, Alberta, Canada), Paige Danger (Iowa Falls, IA), Ava Hoard (Nora Springs, IA), Ruby Cibrian-Martinez (New Hampton, IA), Reece Hemann (Mason City, IA), Karly Holm (Two Harbors, MN), Carris Powell (Telford, United Kingdom)

Second Row (Left to Right): Makayla Wagner (Osage, IA), Isabella Sloan (Indianola, IA), Keeley Steele (Stewartville, MN), Alexis Schroeder (Caledonia, MN), Makenzie Dresback (Woodward, IA), Cora Ricke (Algona, IA), Cassandra McBride (Mason City, IA), Addison Tabbert (Grafton, IA), Hannah Lunning (Hanlontown, IA), Patrick Field (Charles City, IA)

Third Row (Left to Right): Tyler Wolf (Mason City, IA), Levi Olson (Forest City, IA), Lucas Gruhn, (Clinton, IA),  Emily Opstvedt (Mason City, IA), Sonya Potthoff (White Bear Lake, MN), Abigail Kacer (Mason City, IA), Lily Rhomberg (Bremerhaven, Germany), Derek Loeschen (Mason City, IA), Kelly Miller (Lime Springs, IA), Tori Miller (Goodhue, MN)

Fourth Row (Left to Right): Victor Hugo Januario (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), Joseph Fitch (Springfield, IL), Roger Rietjens (Clear Lake, IA), Elijan Steidl (Mason City, IA), Andrew Lamfers-Hill (Belmond, IA), Colton Lamfers (Garner, IA), Ellie Hanna (Lake Mills, IA), Mitchell Adams (Rockwell, IA), Nicoló Cimini (Rome, Italy), Ethan Adams (McIntire, IA), Jacob Prymer (Rudd, IA) Heidi Tjarks (Wesley, IA)

Back Row (Left to Right): Kyle Wyborny (Nora Springs, IA), Ashton Chapin (Garner, IA), Hayden Heyer (Charles City, IA), Alex Bird (Mason City), Carson Bantz (North Aurora, IL), Toby Arkulari (Allison, IA)

Not pictured: Tommy Birdsell (Mason City, IA), Emmett Casey (Mason City, IA), Zachary LaMont (Fargo, ND), Jordan Runde (LeRoy, MN)