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President - Heather Venema
Heather joined the Davenport Jaycees at the Swing of the Quad Cities M-Night
when she was a mere 21 years old! 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
in 2006, and completed her Masters in Organizational Leadership in December of 2008. Heather 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,
read and play volleyball! Her favorite 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....)
Vice-President of Management - Ashley Binks
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!
Vice-President of Membership - Mikey Roederer
Mikey officially joined the Jaycees at the Swing (now River
Bandits) Baseball M-Night, but had already been doing the good work of the Jaycees by volunteering for Cans
for Kids and stimulating the economy of Hawkeye Tap as a member of the Jaycees volleyball team. While most
people would only recognize Mikey in his unbelievably creepy clown outfit (mostly worn for Haunted House purposes),
Mikeys favorite Jaycees event is actually the Jaycees Santa Project. Mikey attended Paul Smith's College of the Adirondacks
where he earned a degree in Hotel Restaurant Management. Mikey aspires to own a restaurant featured on the Food Networks
"Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives" but may have to settle for just watching the show in the meantime.
Vice-President of Public Relations & Marketing - Alan Hartley
Alan joined the Jaycees in December of 2008. He was first introduced to the
Jaycees after an M-Night Golf themed Murder Mystery. Since then he has been consistently involved in events. One
of the favorite things that Alan has done in his time with the Jaycees is the time spent helping others in all of the various
activities that we help and support. Alan is currently employeed at St. Ambrose University and is pursuing his Masters
degree in Educational Administration.
Vice-President of Community Development - Amy Jones
Amy Jones
has been a member of the Davenport Jaycees for several years and is pleased to be part of the board. She joined the
Jaycee’s because of the chapter’s commitment to service in the local community and to network with other like-minded
young professionals. Amy graduated from St. Ambrose University with a bachelor’s degree in radio/TV broadcasting
and journalism and received her master’s degree in journalism from the University of Iowa in 2005. Amy currently works at St. Ambrose University as their Director
of Events and Special Projects in the Advancement Office. She lives in Rock Island with her husband Jason and their
17 pound cat, Keone.
Vice-President of Individual Development - Pat Olsen
Pat
joined the Jaycees in March of 2009. Since then he has been actively involved in Jaycee events ranging from the famous
bridal expo to playing on the softball team. Pat's favorite Jaycee event so far is Jaycee Santa because of its impact
on local children and families. His favorite Jaycee memory is the long rain delayed Cubs trip and the 10th inning victory
we witnessed. Pat graduated from Saint Ambrose University with a Bachelor's Degree in Finance and Economics. While
at SAU, Pat spearheaded an effort to bring world renowned author and success coach, Jack Canfield, to campus to raise money
for student scholarships. Pat is currently loving every minute as a financial advisor with Riverbend
Financial Group/MassMutual Financial Group in Davenport and is pursuing his Chartered Financial Consultant Designation (ChFC)
from the American College in Bryn Mawr, PA.
Secretary - Stella O'Rourke
Stella joined the Jaycees early in 2006 after volunteering at both the Haunted
House and Bridal Expo. It was at the 2005 Haunted House that Stella got her nickname "Chainsaw." To
this day she denies chopping up an innocent bystander, claiming that the woman ran into her chainsaw and was not actually
attacked. Stella earned both her bachelor's and master's degrees from St. Ambrose University and currently works there
in the campus ministry department organizing service trips and projects. Her favorite Jaycees memory was the first trip
to the Haunted House Convention when the RV broke down and the police sat around and watched while the Jaycees got it back
up and running. This is Stella’s second time serving as secretary for the Jaycees.
Treasurer - Alana Carroll
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.
State Director - Chad Gaul
Chad is the State Director
for the Davenport Jaycees. As State Director he spends a lot of time on the road visiting other Jaycee chapters throughout
the state of Iowa and sometimes he even crosses state lines! He has been a member of the Davenport Jaycees since 2003. He
earned a degree in finance and economics from St. Ambrose University and is currently employed there as the Assistant Director
for Alumni and Parent Relations. He credits the Jaycees for having the opportunity to be involved in an organization with
like-minded people that want to have a vested interest in the community they live in. His top Jaycee moment was when he met
the 2006 National Jaycee President in February.
Chairman of the Board - Chris Mandle
 Chris joined the Jaycees
after being persuaded into helping with the Haunted House one year by a friend in the organization. A year and a half
later he ended up being President and stayed in that position for three years! He now currently serves as Chairman of
the Board. During his tenure as President he began a revitalization known as "The Revolution" which sought
to grow the chapter in members and community exposure and did so with great success. It was also during this time that
the chapter celebrated it's 75th Anniversary culminating with a the construction of the Davenport Jaycees Commons Children's
Park in downtown Davenport. Chris graduated from St. Ambrose University with degrees in both Graphic Design and Theology,
along with a master's in Theology. He and his wife Kristen currently reside in Rock Island, where he operates Mandle
Design, a graphic design firm in the Quad Cities. Although heavily involved in many Jaycees projects over the years
including Bridal Expo, the Easter Egg Hunt, and Jaycee Santa, Chris says his favorite project is the Haunted House. The
best part of being a in the Jaycees are the great friendships you make and all of the laughs along the way - and these two
facts are found to be the most true for him during the many Haunted House seasons, where there's enough laughs and memories
to last a lifetime!
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