The Council members meet twice a year to provide advice and support to keep SJMC on pace with the communications industry.
Danny Akright, JO'10
Director of Communications
Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity
Megan Bannister, JO’13
Freelance Writer and Marketing Consultant
Michael Bates, JO'79
Director of Advancement and Strategic Gift Initiatives
Youth and Family Counseling, Chicago
Mac Brand, JO’76
Founding Partner
Bellwether Food Group, Inc., Dallas
Brittany Hopkins Bungert, JO’07
Director of Communications
Iowa Automobile Dealers Association
Claire Celsi, friend
Communications Consultant, Des Moines
Iowa Legislator
Brandi Dye, JO'18
Communications and Community Engagement Manager
Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault, Denver
John Garcia JO’86
Reporter, WLS-TV, Chicago
Graham Gillette, friend
Gillette Strategic Resources, Des Moines
Lynn Hicks , JO’91
Chief of Staff
Iowa Attorney General's Office
Melissa Hintz, JO’86
Regional Research Director
KCCI-TV, Des Moines/KETV, Omaha
Ryan Johnson, JO'99
Manager, Strategic Communications
Two Rivers Marketing, Des Moines
Louie Laurent, JO’76
Chairman (retired), ZLRignition.com, Des Moines
Paul LeFort, JO'91
Director, Sales Development
The Nielsen Company
David M. Lubbers, JO’86
Freelance Sports Producer, Des Moines
Lydia Nevins, JO’11
Senior Communications Consultant
Delta Dental, Des Moines
Ezekiel Okeleye, JO'15
Senior Business Partner, Store Operations
Target headquarters, Minneapolis
Susan Patterson Plank, Friend, MPA’16
Executive Director
Iowa Newspaper Association
Katie Popp, JO’05
Marketing Strategy Consultant
Alliant Energy, Des Moines
Christine Riccelli, MA'97
Editor, dsm magazines, Des Moines
Amy Schmelzer, JO’96
Operations Manager
KCCI-TV, Des Moines
Jessica Spangler, JO'19
Director of Communications and Marketing
Mechanical Contractors Association of Chicago
Eduardo Tamez Zamarripa, JO’12
Head of Soccer Market Development
Musco Lighting, Oskaloosa, IA
Samantha Thorpe, JO’95
Freelance Editor, Writer, Producer, Des Moines
Chris Verlengia, JO'06, MCL'13
Senior Brand Marketing Manager
Wellmark, Des Moines
Kevin Waetke, JO’86
Associate Vice President, Corporate Marketing
Sammons Financial Group, Des Moines