Board of Directors

Chris came to the Jaycees by way of the haunted house. At the request of Chad Gaul he decided to help with the haunted house two years ago and one thing led to another and somehow he ended up as President. He graduated from St. Ambrose University with degrees in graphic design and theology and a master's degree of theology as well. He and his wife, Kristen, along with their dog, Rigby, host many Jaycee parties at their home. He currently operates his own graphic design firm, MandleDesign, and works at Victory Enterprises in Davenport. He says his favorite thing about being a part of the Jaycees are the great friendships you make and and all of the laughs, enough to last a lifetime. He's in his third term as President in 2008 and he says that everyone should join the Jaycee Revolution...or else!

Chad is a self-proclaimed social animal and this plays well into his duties as VP of Membership. He earned a degree in finance and economics form St. Ambrose University and is currently a credit analysis for PFG - Thomas Proestlet Company in Milan. Chad joined the Jaycees because as he puts it: "My whole life I was involved in some kind of organization through grade school, high school, and college. When I graduated I wanted to join an organization that focused on young business persons in the Quad Cities. The Jaycees fit the bill." He credits the Jaycees as giving him the opportunity to be involved in an organization with like-minded people that want to have a vested interest community. His top Jaycee moment was when he met the 2006 National Jaycee President in February.

Suzanne got involved in the Jaycees after moving to the area and looking for a way to meet new people her age who were interested in similar things. She found our website, went to a meeting and joined soon after that! She says that people like Chris, Chad, and Gaul were very convincing that this was the best organization in town! Suzanne has her BA in psychology and a minor in business administration from Clark College in Dubuque. She currently works for Robert B. Ausdal & Co., Inc. as a broker/dealer. Suzanne says that all of her Jaycee memories have been great so far...everything from the Haunted House, to a few M-Nights, and sugar nips candy! She is also known as "Magic Fingers" in the Jaycees because of her superb massage skills, which came in handy during long nights building the haunted house!

Beth first heard about the Jaycees after being invited along with her husband Gene to one of our many M-Nights by Chad Gaul. She says, "We had no idea what type of event we were going to. We ended up seeing a lot of our friends there and had a really good time. After several more M-Nights, we decided it was time for us to get involved." Beth and her husband, Gene, will be married for 3 years come August. They have the cutest Yorkie, Oliver, who looks like a Teddy Bear and has been known to attend a meeting or two. Beth graduated from St. Ambrose (like many of the Jaycees!) with her Bachelors and Masters of Accountancy degrees. She currently puts both of these degrees to good use as a tax accountant at Deloitte Tax LLP. So far she says her favorite Jaycee moment so far is when she thought there was a dead mouse in the Haunted House due to a bad aroma, only to find out it was some of the help! She also says that her other favorite moments are the times that we created friendships because of the Jaycees. As long as she can socialize, she's happy! She says everyone needs to join the Jaycees Revolution and to get involved, make good friends, and better your community.

Brian graduated from the University of Northern Iowa and soon became a Vice President with Ruhl & Ruhl. A wiz with money, he is our trusted treasurer ensuring we keep our finances in order. He found out about the Jaycees through his brother Aaron, who was already a member and decided to join. That's probaby the best decision he ever made because he met his wife Tracy in the Jaycees!! He and Tracy just welcomed their first child, Eamon, into the world earlier this year! Word has it his first word was "Jaycees". Brian also would like you to know that he likes puppy dogs and whiskers on kittens.

Janis first heard about the Jaycees from current Jaycee Jen Kunz. She came to a couple meetings and was hooked! She is currently working on her associate's degree in early childhood education and works for her family's business at Barnett's House of Fireplaces. Janis says her favorite Jaycee project is Bridal Expo of course! Janis has enjoyed filling many roles on the Bridal Expo Committee the past 3 years. He favorite Jaycee moment to date is enjoying the classic dance stylings of David Chanez when we rock out the 80's classics at the Bridal Expo Post Parties! She thinks everyone should join the Jaycees because it's a great place to make new friends!

Heather joined the Davenport Jaycees at the Swing of the Quad Cities M-Night when she was a senior at SAU. She came down and sang "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" on the dugout and was hooked! Heather graduated from St. Ambrose with a bachelor's degree in Public Relations and Marketing Communications (how fitting for her Board Position!) and is currently enrolled in the Masters of Organizational Leadership program at SAU. She currently works as a hall director at SAU and also does some freelance writing for marketing agencies in the QC. In her spare time she loves to run and play volleyball! Her favoriate Jaycee project is the Haunted House - both the building and the scaring! Her top Jaycee moment so far is when she won $500 cash at the Mallard's M-Night during an on-ice blackjack game. (See the photo to the right? That's a $500 smile right there....

Ashley came to the Jaycees after seeing our booth at the 2007 Bridal Expo. She also had a friend, Heather Venema, who was already a member and who also encouraged Ashley to join. Ashley graduated from St. Ambrose University with a Bachelors in Psychology (which she uses to try and figure us all out) and her Masters in Occupational Therapy. She currently works for the Genesis Visiting Nurses with a focus in pediatrics, although she works with all ages. She also works as a PRN at Genesis Pediatric Outpatient. In her spare time, when she's not busy with the Jaycees, Ashley is a Big Sister for Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Quad Cities. Her favorite Jaycee project by far is the Haunted House because it's full of thrills, chills, and laughs! One of her favorite Jaycee memories is when she and fellow Jaycees Heather Venema and Hilary Binks got dressed up in costumes for the "Murder in the Double-Wide" M-Night event and walked into the wrong party! Instead of entering through the front entrance, they entered a side door walked right into a wedding reception! Let just say they were wearing not-so-tasteful attire!