CC - Thursday

The Thursday CC group meets the last Thursday from 11:30 - 1 p.m. in the Aisha R. Syed Board Room
Ben Buenzow
2024 SPONSOR & TRAINER | INSURANCE/FINANCE - AUTO, HOME, LIFE, DISABILITY, SUPPLEMENTAL
Buenzow Insurance Group
Agent/Owner

Twenty years ago Ben Buenzow got his insurance license, and the rest is history…. Just kidding! A lot has happened in the last 20 years! Seventeen of those years Ben owned a captive insurance agency, while simultaneously becoming an expert in his field, and being recognized for his achievements along the way. Ben integrated himself into the Urbandale community serving on the Urbandale Chamber Board, and volunteering with the Urbandale Police Department. Six kids and a puppy later.  Ben realized the potential to help even more people! So in May 2021 Ben launched his own independent agency Buenzow Insurance Group.

  • Auto Insurance
  • Home Insurance
  • Property Insurance
  • Business Insurance
  • Life Insurance
  • Health Insurance
Dee Mable
2024 Chair | HOME WARRANTY
First American Home Warranty
Area Manager
Greetings! I'm Dee Mable, the Area Manager for First American Home Warranty!  I am eager to help sellers, buyers, homeowners and realtors find the protection they need for their homes and their client's homes.  We offer a service contract that protects a home's major systems and appliances.  Reach out if you would like more information....thank you! 
Susan Hertzberg
2024 Vice Chair | MEDICARE INSURANCE
Aetna
Community Outreach Coordinator
Monique Elgersma
COUNSELING
Real Connections Counseling
Owner
After moving around for most of my life, I settled into Des Moines in 1999, minus a 5-yr stint in Colorado to get my Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy. I share a Couples Counseling practice with my husband of 27 years, Rick. We are co-therapists: a couple that, as a couple, works with other couples to help build healthy relationships. We moved back in November 2016 with a heart to change marriages for the better here and are actively pursuing that at Real Connections Counseling in Urbandale. 
Our counseling office expanded into a group practice the fall of 2022 and hired a team of counselors to do co-therapy: Cora Drew Ritter & Jess Hall.
I have one adult daughter, Alyssa, that works in our office as a program administrator and two shelties that work in our office as therapy dogs: 8-yr female Zylie & 3-yr male Mozzie. Besides working, I like to travel, watch movies, play board games, read, and go to conferences. 
Matt Shaw
REAL ESTATE/COMMERCIAL
Matt Shaw Commercial Real Estate
Owner
Commercial real estate agent licensed in Iowa offering services to tenant and landlord rep. for office, retail space, and industrial asset classes with a focus on the restaurant and hospitality industry.
Sandee Cook
EMPLOYEE/PLACEMENT & STAFFING
Career Search Associates
Executive Recruiter
I’ve been a Head Hunter since 2015 and love it! Previous to that, I have 25+ years of Human Resources management experience, with Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification. My full range of HR knowledge, coupled with a multitude of business and professional connections, ensures my success in identifying top talent to meet my client's needs. Here at Career Search Associates, we help businesses fill full time positions ranging from the front desk to the CEO. We specialize in Administration, Accounting, Marketing, Sales, Human Resources, Project Management, Call Center Management and Retail Store Management. We are respected recruiters who also help the passive candidate that wants to explore opportunities in a confidential manner.
Kathy Evert
SIGNAGE/EVENT DISPLAY EQUIPMENT
Signarama-Ankeny / YESCO Sign & Lighting Service
Owner
Kathy Evert is a small business owner, owning KJ Signs LLC (dba Signarama-Ankeny and YESCO Des Moines) and KJE Solutions, LLC.  She started KJ Signs in 2016 and KJE Solutions in 2014.  She currently employs 7employees under KJ Signs, LLC and is the sole owner of both companies.  She and her team have received several awards and recognitions already from Signarama and United Franchise Group.  The business is a Certified Woman-owned Business Enterprise (WBE) and a Certified Iowa Targeted Small Business.
 
She is a member of the Ankeny Area Chamber of Commerce, Grimes Chamber and Economic Development, Urbandale Chamber of Commerce, Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI), Master Builders of Iowa, Women’s Reciprocity Group (WRG), Central Iowa Networkers, Iowa Commercial Real Estate Association, and an associate member and official sign sponsor of the Iowa Chiropractic Society.
 
Courtney Buhrow
PHYSICAL THERAPY
Revive Physical Therapy and Wellness
Owner and Physical Therapist
Dr. Courtney is a physical therapist and the owner of Revive Physical Therapy and Wellness. She graduated from Des Moines University in 2018 with her doctorate in physical therapy. She then went on to complete two more certifications to become a specialist in pelvic floor and women’s health. Dr. Courtney is passionate about women’s health and helping women navigate pelvic floor and perimenopause symptoms throughout their lifespan. She is also certified in Perimenopause Functional Wellness Coaching. She helps women take a deep dive into their health history to understand how each system of the body is impacting their health and helps them navigate the necessary lifestyle changes to improve their overall health and wellness. Though Revive mostly treats women, they also treat males because everyone has a pelvic floor!
Riley Schneekloth
IT/COPIERS
MMIT Business Solutions Group
Business Solutions Consultant
As a Business Consultant with MMIT (formally M&M Sales and Imaging Technologies), I help our clients find a realistic approach to smooth out and improve their day-to-day. My services include helping people find practical solutions to everyday problems by offering cutting-edge IT solutions, printing equipment, and network solutions.
Emily Wallace
MOVING COMPANY
Jeff Holladay
COMMERCIAL LENDING
U.S. Bank
VP Business Banking Relationship Manager
Zach Vander Ploeg
JANITORIAL/COMMERCIAL
Andrew Sciorrotta
MED SPA/BEAUTY/CRYOTHERAPY
NXT LVL Med Spa, Recovery, & Wellness
Co-Owner
Dr. Andrew Sciorrotta PT, DPT co-owner of NXT LVL Med Spa Recover & Wellness is a local owner. He grew up in the Johnston area and attended Dowling High School where he competed in football, track, and soccer. After graduation he received an athletic football scholarship to Morningside College while achieving a Bachelors. After further consideration Dr. Sciorrotta followed his fathers healthcare path and attended Des Moines University Physical Therapy program from 2007-2010. Currently, he is the VP of business development and rehabilitation for care centers in Iowa, consultant and trainer in the cryotherapy industry, and co-owner of NXT LVL. Andrew is married with twin daughters, in his spare time he enjoys spending time with family, friends, attending his kids sporting events, football, and his passion for fishing!
Noel Medina
ROOFING & SOLAR
Walter Roofing
Senior Project Manager
Noel Medina, a devoted family man and proud father of three, hails from the vibrant culture of Cuba. As a valued member of the Walter Roofing team, he brings a passion for helping others to every project. Beyond roofing, Noel finds joy on the soccer field, where his love for the game ignites his competitive spirit and fuels his enthusiasm for teamwork. Noel embodies both dedication to his craft and a passion for community.
Emily Bannister
MARKETING SERVICES
Katie Wheeler
MORTGAGE
Tiffany Menke
STAFF
Urbandale Chamber of Commerce
President
Since 2004, Tiffany Menke, IOM, has been the President of the Urbandale Chamber of Commerce. She has served on the boards of and is a Past President/Past Chair of ICCE, CITR, and IMA.  She currently represents Iowa on the MACE Board of Directors and serves on the Diversity and Inclusion Council through the Greater Des Moines Partnership as well as participates in a pilot program through the Evelyn K Davis center to mentor exoffenders.

In 2017, Tiffany was honored as a Woman of Influence through the Des Moines Business Record. Other honors include 40 under 40, and Ovation award from the Iowa Women's Foundation. She grew up in Newton and went on to Grand View University in Des Moines where she earned a degree in Mass Communications, Journalism and a minor in Photography.

To schedule a meeting with me, calendly.com/tmenke  
Kris Howard
SPECIALTY ADVERTISING
KSH Design Studio LLC
Owner
KSH Design Studio creates personalized and custom gifts. I specialize in personalizing metal and glass items by mechanical etching. I love to do custom designs for our customers. I offer EMBROIDERY services as gifts and for small businesses. I use Heat Transfer Vinyl for any fabric item such as T-shirts, baby bodysuits, pillow covers and even lawn chairs. I enjoy working with small business owners and using their logos to create items they need for their business such as Logos on apparel (Polo shirts, Jackets, Aprons & Hats). All items are completed by a handmade process by KSH Design Studio. I only use the highest quality materials found in the industry. This provides you, the customer with the best product for the money available. I provide the best customer service possible. I answer all emails as quickly as possible, the same day 99% of the time. I want all your questions answered to your satisfaction! In 2020 I received TSB Certification through the SBA.
Tara Knight-Ortiz
AUTOMOTIVE/TIRES
Aisha R Syed
REALTOR
Iowa Realty - Aisha R. Syed Real Estate, LLC
REALTOR® - Broker Associate
Aisha grew up in Iowa (Clive and Urbandale).  Graduated from Drake University with double majors in Management and Marketing.   In 2004, unfortunate circumstances, brought her back to Iowa, from Dallas, TX.  In 2005 she earned her Real Estate License and in 2015 earned her Real Estate Broker License.  For 15 years she juggled her real estate career, along with working with her mother, Saloo, at the Downtown and Valley Junction Farmers Markets, selling Indian food (Saloo's India).   Since Saloo retired from the farmers market, Aisha has been able to focus solely on ONE full time job (being a REALTOR®) AND now she has quality time to network, take vacations...and just breathe. Aisha said, "I never thought I would ever be coming back to Iowa.  But having lived elsewhere, I can truly appreciate what all Iowa and it people have to offer; I am GRATEFUL TO BE HOME, IN IOWA."
Abby Miesner
NON-PROFIT
Alzheimer's Association - Iowa Chapter
Fundraising Events Manager
I'm a young professional in the Des Moines community looking to grow my network with other professionals. I am in the non-profit space in event fundraising and looking to connect with others to grow my events that support those facing Alzheimer's and all other dementia. I'm also looking to get in front of groups to share education programs and resources we have available through the Alzheimer's Association.
Dave Machovsky
BUSINESS COACH
Mindset Innovations Consulting
CEO

I have found that my superpower is problem-solving. my passion for it led me to explore different industries and environments. I found myself drawn to roles that allowed me to apply my skills and make a meaningful impact. From production, supervisory, management, director of operations, and being president of a non-profit organization, I embraced every opportunity of these roles to solve complex problems and contribute to the growth of organizations. Just as I learned in my younger years, in order to win the race, you must lead it first. With my vast and varied experiences of leading people, I felt called to give back. I received my certifications in coaching, mentoring, and leadership. Furthermore, became a certified training within industry instructor (TWI). It was exceptionally hard to leave the corporate world. Here we are. Welcome to Mindset Innovations Consulting.

Chelle TenHaken
RETAIL/CBD