2020 genYP Group

Individuals between the ages of 21-40 who have joined the Chamber's young professional program, genYP
Eric Williams
2020 Chair
AO Wealth Advisory
Certified Financial Planner
My responsibilities include executing financial plans and assisting clients. I also help clients create personal and business budgets focused on achieving their financial goals.
Shelby Mensen
2020 Vice Chair
Palmer Group
Senior Recruiter
I am a  Senior Recruiter on Palmer Group's Office Administration & Customer Service division. I work with candidates searching for new positions here in the Des Moines metro. 
Megan Ries
Leadership Team through 2020
Yost Family Chiropractic
Chiropractor

Megan is chiropractor at Yost Family Chiropractic which has served Urbandale and the surrounding metro the past 18 years. 

She realizes that many people suffer from pain that just won't go away and strives to take a personalized, whole-body approach to identify and treat the source causing discomfort so you can do all of the things you love pain-free.

When she's not in the office she enjoys running, exploring hiking trails, volunteering at her church & the Food Bank of Iowa, coaching with Girls on the Run, reading, and supporting & experiencing all things local in Des Moines!

Sarah Nielsen
Leadership team through 2020
Showplace Cabinetry Design Center
Designer/Sales
Sarah Nielsen has always had a passion for design. With her father working construction and a woodworker on the side, she began building and designing at a young age. She attended Iowa State University, graduating in 2013 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree emphasizing in Woodworking and Photography with a Minor in Business. In 2014, she started at Showplace Cabinetry Design Center as an Assistant Designer/Customer Service representative. This allowed for Sarah to learn the design process from measuring a space, selecting design details, to finishing the project. She became a designer in 2016 and has since exceeded her expectations in sales, won a prestigious NKBA Thirty under 30 award, and is working towards her first accreditation and 'Aging in Place' certification. With her background in woodworking, she strives for a function-oriented design to create one of kind spaces that work well for the particular client.

 
Luke Van Roekel
Leadership Team through 2020
Phillips Stafford Insurance Group
Independent Insurance Agent
Curvin Larson
2021 Vice Chair, Leadership Team through 2022
Comparion Insurance Agency, a Liberty Mutual Company
Sales Representative
Curvin has joined Comparion Insurance Agency, a Liberty Mutual Company, in August 2022 as a Sales Representative offering Personal & Casualty Insurance as well as Life Insurance. Comparion Insurance Agency helps individuals transfer the risks during life's most uncertain moments. Curvin's goal is to understand his customers needs and align them with the proper products and coverage they deserve; knowing their property and families are protected against uncertainty in the event of a loss. 
Bryanne Hensley
Leadership Team through 2022
Mosaic in Central Iowa
Resource Development Manager
Bryanne is a storyteller, advocate, leader & community connector who finds unique ways to motivate others. She is known for having a connection in any setting. Since 2016, she has served Mosaic in Central Iowa in various capacities; first with the Mosaic at Home program as an Independent Contract Program Manager for over 5 years then was promoted to the role of Resource Development Manager in March of 2022. Her connection with Mosaic has grown over the last few years as her youngest sister now lives in a Mosaic host home setting, allowing her family to see real life, real possibilities each day.
Sara Velander
Country Financial - Sara Velander
Owner
Charlotte Sucik
Abendroth Russell Barnett Law Firm
Partner
Holly Adams
RE/MAX Precision - Adams Family Realty
REALTOR

I grew up in Northwest Iowa and moved to Des Moines in 2006 after graduating from Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa.  I settled in the Beaverdale area after buying my first home in 2017.  My husband, Jarred, is extremely supportive of my real estate career and respects the time I dedicate to serving my clients. 

I got into real estate because I love connecting with people and wanted a career that could impact the community.  Buying a home is such an exciting time of change and it brings me great joy to see how the plans all come together for my clients.  I'm here to build relationships and help people through a major life change that involves a process I'm passionate about.

Ryan Allen
Allen, Ryan
Taylor White
Art of Life Salon and Spa
Massage Therapist
Mary Beth Wims
Core Physical Therapy
Danny Mielneczek
Country Financial - Danny Mielneczek
Insurance Agent
Jessica Verwers
Home Builders Association of Des Moines
Director of Membership
Cale Carlson
New American Funding
Sr. Loan Consultant
Jaime Pithan
MMIT Business Solutions Group
Jake Burkhart
Modern Heating & Air
Principal
Creative HVAC Problem Solver and Dedicated HVAC Pro.
 
I’m driven to bring positive change in the way consumers view HVAC companies, their employees and their owners. 
 
I’m a Champion of change, currently concentrating on transforming the residential industry from a “turn and burn”, “young person job” to a rewarding life long career path. 
 
I am committed to leave our children with a better world. That motivates my company to be more responsible in the ways we heat and cool and build healthier homes.
Jessica Carlson
Northwestern Mutual
Financial Advisor
Jessica is a Financial Advisor and shares a practice with her husband, Brian. With their team of 5, they focus on helping business owners grow by leveraging assets for lower rates on their lines of credit and setting up retirement plans for themselves and their employees along with other company benefits.

Jessica grew up in a military family in Indianola, Iowa. She studied at Grand View University and University of Central Missouri.  She stays busy by participating in volleyball leagues, traveling with her husband, and spending time with family.

She is passionate in making a positive impact in her community.

 
Spencer Sheaff
Paychex HR
Regional PEO Business Development Manager
Matt Nuetzman
Paychex HR
Strategic Business Consultant
Matt Nuetzman served on the Urbandale Chamber Board from 2012-2017 and was the 2016 Board Chair. In 2011, Matt helped launch the genYP Program and later served as genYP Chairperson, and has volunteered and led many Chamber programs since first joining in 2009. Matt is a Strategic Business Consultant at Paychex HR, a Human Resources services provider which the Urbandale Chamber offers a PEO Partner Program with. Matt is also a member of the Business Record's Forty Under 40 (2012), and he and his wife Sheena live in Urbandale with their 2 children.
Emily Bredthauer
Palmer Group
Recruiter
Recruiter at Palmer Group with 7 years of experience placing professionals in a variety of positions throughout the Des Moines Metro. Graduated from Iowa State with a degree in Communication Studies, Go Cyclones! Outside of work, I like to volunteer, hike, collect houseplants, and ride bikes and horses.
Veronica Coy
Principal Financial Group - Westown Pkwy
Financial Advisor
Alec Wilcox
Cushman & Wakefield
Commercial Real Estate Representative
You could say real estate is in Alec’s blood. His mother owned a residential real estate agency in his hometown of Norfolk, NE and at age 19, he became one of the youngest people to receive his real estate license in Nebraska. Moving eastward to Drake University, Alec continued pursuing his love of real estate as an intern at R&R, becoming a full-time employee after graduating. As a millennial, Alec has special insight into what types of office design and company culture and attract and retain talented, younger employees. These skills, along with unique insight on the warehouse market make Alec a valuable broker for his clients.
Hayley Vanderpool
Serve Credit Union
Marketing & Member Events Coordinator
Katie Wheeler
Two Rivers Bank & Trust - Ingersoll
VP, Mortgage Lending Manager
Nicholas Hullermann
U.S. Bank
Branch Manager
Mindy Benson
Vision Park Family Eye Care
Vision Therapist
Brett Large
Vision Park Family Eye Care
Optician
Bryan Larson
Vision Park Family Eye Care
Heather Von Brown
Webspec
Lindsey LaMair
Webspec
VP of Strategy
Morgan Athey
Webspec
Content & SEO Strategist
Morgan is from Algona, Iowa, and joined Webspec after graduating from Simpson College with a B.A. in Public Relations and minors in Psychology and Sociology. She helps clients with their digital strategy, including writing content for their websites and optimizing them for users and search engines. Outside of work, Morgan enjoys running, hanging out with her husband, and trying new restaurants around the metro.
Stacey Cooper
Webspec
Uri Frazier
Webspec
Brody Griffin
Westside Appliance Repair
Office Manager
Mackenzy Caligiuri
Women Lead Change
Marketing Specialist
Ayah Bilbeisi
Cedar Ridge Esthetic and Family Dentistry
Dr.
Tariq Lundy
Horizon Events Center
Sales and Booking Manager
Matthew Karns
Ball Team, LLC
Rhea Parekh
Primrose School of Urbandale
Marketing Director
Melissa Kyler, OD
Urbandale Eye Care
Optometrist, Owner
I am an Optometrist and Partner at Urbandale Eye Care. I grew up in Urbandale, and I am happy to be back in the community. My history with the practice is deep! I was a patient here as a child, then worked as a technician and receptionist, and returned as a doctor in 2008. It's great to serve the community I grew up in. I am passionate about vision and my patients, and I love getting to form relationships and watch families grow! I see patients of all ages, starting with providing free eye exams for babies 6-12 months of age. You can read more about it at www.infantsee.org. One of the fun things about my day is the variety that comes with routine eye care for all ages, fitting contact lenses, treating urgent care problems, managing eye disease, and evaluating conditions like diabetes that can affect the eyes...never a dull moment! Almost 12 years in, and I truly love it. I'm always happy to answer questions, so don't hesitate to reach out!