Board of Trustees Membership Profiles
RICHARD ANDRES
Member since 2010
Spouse: Christine
B.A., Macalester College
Vice President of Client Development
Automated Member Services, Minneapolis, MN
Automated Member Services (AMS) is involved in Internet-based retailing, specializing in gift registry and electronic coupons. Prior to joining AMS, Andres was president of Twin City Marketing for 13 years, a marketing and sales organization. His previous work history also includes nine years as a buyer at Target Corporation (formerly Dayton Hudson Corporation). Prior to Target, Andres worked in key marketing and merchandising positions with specialty retailers and department stores.
M. GRAEME ARMSTRONG, Ph.D.
Member since 2011
Spouse: Jenene
B.A., Simpson College
M.A.B.L., Upper Iowa University
Ph.D., Iowa State University
Assistant Professor of Education and Coordinator of the UIU Masters of Higher Education Administration (MHEA) program
Armstrong was appointed to a two-year term on the Board as the incoming faculty chair. Based at the UIU Des Moines center, Dr. Armstrong teaches both face-to-face and online courses in the MHEA program. He has also taught at the UIU Hong Kong center, and taught course for the RN-BSN program. He earned his bachelor’s degree in management from Simpson College, Indianola, Iowa, his master’s degree in organizational development from UIU, and a doctorate in higher education from Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.
BRUCE I. CAMPBELL
Member since 1977
Spouse: Beverly Evans
B.A., Upper Iowa University
J.D., Harvard Law School
Attorney
Davis, Brown, Koehn, Shors & Roberts, P.C.
Campbell is a senior shareholder and past president of the Davis Brown Law Firm in the Business Division. His general practice is in, but not limited to, the area of estate planning, estate and trust administration, and taxation.
Campbell's professional recognitions include being AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell. An AV certification mark is a significant rating accomplishment, a testament to the fact that a lawyer's peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence. Campbell was also honored as "The Best Lawyers in America 2011" in the areas of non-profit/charities law, tax law, and trusts and estates; awarded Chambers' "USA Corporate/M&A" in 2010; and named to "Iowa Super Lawyers" in 2009.
Campbell is a director and officer of the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, a fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC), and a member of the Real Property, Probate & Trust and Taxation sections of the ABA. He is also an ACTEC trained mediator specializing in the mediation of probate and family succession disputes. He served as chair of the UIU Board of Trustees from 1990-2002.
Campbell has also assisted several charities with exemption and unrelated business income tax matters, including the successful case of Independent Order of Odd Fellows Grand Lodge of Iowa v. U.S., 72 AFTR 2d 93-5534, which held that share crop rentals were not unrelated business income.
Campbell is a frequent speaker on estate planning, estate administration, and non-profit topics for CLE seminars and community groups. He has taught estate and gift tax, estate planning, and fiduciary income tax at Drake University and Drake University Law School as an adjunct professor.
PETER A. CLEMENS
Member since 2011
Spouse: Laura
B.S., University of Notre Dame
M.B.A., Indiana University
Senior vice president and CFO,
Acura Pharmaceuticals Inc., Palatine, IL
Clemens was named to a three-year term on the UIU Board. He has served in his current position with the drug development company since 1998. A certified public accountant, he was previously with TC Manufacturing from 1988 to 1998, initially as vice president and Chief Financial Officer and ultimately as President.
WILLIAM R. COOK
Member since 1993
Spouse: Deanna
B.S., Upper Iowa University
M.A., University of Iowa
Financial consultant
Partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP, Des Moines
Cook is currently a financial consultant and serves on the board of a number of organizations, including the YMCA of Greater Des Moines, Lifespace, Inc., the Serra Club of Des Moines, and the finance committee of Mercy Hospital in Des Moines.
Cook joined Deloitte & Touche in 1981 and served as an audit partner with this international professional services firm until his retirement in 2002. Prior to Deloitte & Touche, he worked for United Suppliers, Inc. from 1976-81, serving as executive vice-president the last two years. Cook's professional accounting career began in the Des Moines offices of Lybrand, Ross Bros. & Montgomery in 1967, where he advanced from staff accountant to senior manager in the Audit Department.
During his professional career, Cook was actively involved within the accounting profession, serving as president of the Des Moines Chapter of NAA, president of the Iowa Society of CPAs, and Iowa's representative to the American Institute of CPA's Council. He was also actively involved in the Des Moines community and a member of the Rotary Club of Des Moines, Des Moines Chamber of Commerce, Des Moines Club, and Wakonda Country Club.
ERIC P. ELLER, Ph.D.
Member since 2012
Spouse: Katrina
B.S., Missouri State University
M.A., University of Missouri
PhD, University of Virginia
UIU Associate Professor of International Business
Eller was appointed to a two-year term on the Board as the incoming faculty chair. He joined UIU in 2008, leaving a previous position as tenured Associate Professor of Economics at Buena Vista University, to head the new UIU International Business major. Eller has led and co-taught the May term travel course to Haiti for the past three years, having led student travel experiences to Russia, Germany, Egypt, Greece, Turkey, Peru, and the Galapagos Islands at previous institutions. He was co-author of the University's Faculty Internationalization Grant (FIG) program and currently serves as its committee chair. The FIG has enabled 18 UIU faculty from across the institution to travel and conduct research internationally (either as part of a faculty team or individually) since its inception two years ago. Eller also currently co-chairs the committee developing the new Honors Program and will co-teach the first Honors course in Fall 2012 with his wife, Dr. Katrina Farren-Eller, Assistant Professor of English.
JOHN R. FALB
Member since 2005
Spouse: Patricia
B.B.A., University of Iowa
M.B.S., University of Chicago Graduate School of Business
Managing Director, The PrivateBank, Minneapolis
Falb leads The PrivateBank's Midwest Region which includes regional offices in Minneapolis, MN, Des Moines, IA and Denver, Colorado which develop corporate banking relationships throughout nine states. Falb leads and manages teams of banking/finance professionals focused on relationship based corporate banking, advising middle market companies regarding appropriate capital structures and financing solutions driven by merger and acquisition transactions, private equity and leveraged buyout transactions, recapitalizations and organic growth strategies. The PrivateBank provides the senior debt portion of the applicable capital structures, and also a broad array of capital markets, private banking, treasury management and other services and products to its clients.
In addition to Upper Iowa, Falb is a member of the Board of Directors of Northern Star Council, among the largest scouting organizations in the United States. Most recently, Falb was a member of the Board of Trustees of the Children's Service Society of Wisconsin.
BETTY DAVIS FIRTH
Member since 2007
Spouse: Robert
B.A., Oklahoma City University
M.A., University of Phoenix
Adjunct Instructor, UIU Academic Extension
Firth has more than twenty five years of experience in the corporate business environment. She began her career as executive assistant to the president of Groendyke Transport in Enid, OK; served as project manager/strategic planner for Central and Southwest Services in Tulsa; and also worked as a gas marketer for Transok, Inc., Tulsa.
Upon completing her master’s degree, she became human resource manager for Cricket Communications, Tulsa, and Sonic Restaurants Inc., Oklahoma City.
Firth also holds certifications in PERT Network Analysis/Quality Analysis and Development Dimensions Facilitator; has served as an Oklahoma quality award board examiner and loaned executive to Tulsa Area United Way; on the advisory board for Junior Achievement of Eastern Oklahoma; as a senior project faulty member for UIU’s Independent Study program, and chairperson of the UIU Advancement and Academic Affairs committees. Firth and husband Bob are members of Team Peacock and both participated in all sessions of UIU’s strategic planning process.
ROBERT R. (BOB) FIRTH
Member since 2006
Spouse: Betty
B.S., M.A., Upper Iowa University
President & CEO Caballo Energy, Tulsa, OK
Firth is a 30-year veteran of the energy business and is currently President and CEO of Caballo Energy, located in Tulsa. He is the former president and COO of Atlas Pipeline Holdings (NYSE: AHD), the general partner of Atlas Pipeline Partners (APL).
Firth began his career as a maintenance person at the Northern Natural Gas (Northern) Mainline Station, Beaver, OK, and subsequently held various positions in the operations side of the business at Northern, where his last job was district manager for the Oklahoma and Texas Panhandle areas. In 1985, Firth became owner in Panda Resources, Inc., a start-up, mid-stream energy company that, in 1989, was honored by Inc. Magazine as the 24th fastest growing company in America.
In addition to his experience with Northern, Firth has held officer positions in the operations, engineering, and commercial business segments of Panda Resources, Transok, ScissorTail Energy, CMS Energy, and Spectrum Field Services.
Firth is an adjunct professor in management and leadership for the UIU Academic Extension, and currently serves as the UIU Board Chair.
HOWARD K. FISCHER
Member since 1988
Spouse: Deborah Hart Fischer
B.A., Upper Iowa University
MBA, Roosevelt University
President and CEO, U.S. Roasterie, Des Moines
U.S. Roasterie roasts coffee for office, vending, C-store, and foodservice channels. Fischer's other work experience includes owner of U.S. Coffee from 1981-2006 and Continental Coffee from 1971-81. He has also served as a lecturer for Drake University Business School, consultant for the Small Business Development Conference, and consultant for Food Service Industry.
Fischer is also a member of the board for National Automatic Merchandising Assoc. (NAMA).
STEVEN C. HARMS
Member since 2001
Spouse: Diane
B.A., Upper Iowa University
President and Chairman of the Board, Rain and Hail L.L.C., Rain and Hail Insurance Service, Inc., and Agri General Insurance Company
Harm's responsibilities at Rain and Hail include the corporate oversight of eight U.S. crop division offices and one agribusiness property and casualty division office, as well as an international office in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. All offices combined generated premiums in excess of $1.85 billion in crop and agribusiness property and casualty in 2010.
Harms was appointed to the advisory board of Bankers Trust Company from 2005-present; served on the NCIS Program Development Committee since its inception in the early 90s and was elected chairman from 2009-present; serves on the board for both the AACI and NCIS, acting as chairman of the AACI from 2006-08 and vice chair of the NCIS from 2006-08.
Dr. DARREL LANG
Member since 2007
Spouse: La Dell
B.S., Upper Iowa University
M.S., University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Ed. D., Oklahoma State University
Health and Physical Education Consultant, Kansas State Department of Education, Topeka
Past positions include professor of HPER and chair of the HPER Department, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh; professor and director of the Center for Health Promotion and Wellness, Emporia State University, KS; health education instructor, Turkey Valley Community School, Jackson Junction, IA, and Camden Central High School, Camden, NY, and educational consultant throughout the United States and international education world.
Dr. Lang was inducted into the UIU Athletics Hall of Fame in 1998.
Dr. MARGARET B. LAWSON
Member since 2012
B.A., Upper Iowa University
DPM, Illinois College of Podiatric Medicine
Podiatrist, Winnetka, Illinois
Dr. Lawson is a 1970 graduate of Upper Iowa University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. Following, the completion of her degree, she served as an assistant residence hall director at Boston University in Boston, MA. Dr. Lawson attended the Illinois College of Podiatric Medicine from 1977-1981 and received her Doctorate degree in Podiatric Medicine. She is a member of the National Podiatric Medical Association and has served on the board from 1983 – 1985. She has been involved in the Women's Chicago Urban League, and was a board member from 2001-2008. Dr. Lawson has also served as a clinical professor at Scholl College of Podiatry in Chicago, Illinois, from 1985-1987. She is currently a podiatrist with a practice in Winnetka, Illinois.
SCOTT R. LEBIN
Member since 2009
Spouse: Barbara (Bobbi)
B.A., Upper Iowa University
M.A., Northwestern University
President and CEO, Lebin Financial Management, Inc., and Managed Economics for Doctors, Inc., Geneva, IL.
Lebin, RFC, has been working exclusively with high-net-worth individuals for 26 years. His expertise as a planner and educator is sought after throughout the financial services industry, and Lebin has presented motivational seminars throughout the United States using both photography and magic as a technique to delve into some of the issues that are a part of people’s lives.
Lebin is a member of the Financial Planning Association; the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors; and the Illinois Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors. He is also a qualifying Quarter of the Table member of the Million Dollar Roundtable; a member of the Boston Legacy planning group; serves on the K2 advisory board; and is also a member of the Legacy Editorial Committee, writing a book about the new paradigm and process to create effective financial and life plans.
Lebin is involved in many activities, both nationally and locally. He is the past-president of the Geneva Lions Club International; served on the financial advisory committee of the Geneva School District; was an elected member of the Board of Education; past president of the Illinois Theatre Association; the current chairman of the board of directors of the Geneva Chamber of Commerce; the chair for the Membership Services of the Million Dollar Round Table annual meeting in Atlanta, GA; president of the Circle of Honor Society of Transamerica Financial Advisors; on the advisory board of the Dupage Family Services for abused women and children; a gold knight of the Million Dollar Round Table Foundation; a foundation fellow of the Illinois Lion’s Foundation; and a platinum level member of the Circle of Honor Society Foundation.
Lebin has received many awards, including the Illinois Theatre Association Award of Honor; the 25th recipient of the Geneva Wood Award in 2008 for outstanding contributions to the community of Geneva; and the Jack Kenny Entrepreneurial Achievement award from ORBA, a producers group representing outstanding advisors across the USA. He also received the UIU Community Alumni award in 2004.
Dr. HARRY J. MAUE
Member since 1998
Spouse: Patricia
B.A., Upper Iowa University
B.S., University of Alabama
M.B.A., Southern Illinois University
J.D., University of San Gabriel College of Law
Ph.D., Saint Louis University
L.L.M., University of Leicester, Leicester, England
Chairman and CEO, Stuart, Maue, Mitchell & James, Ltd.
Dr. Maue is Chairman & Chief Executive Offer of Stuart, Maue Mitchell & James, Ltd. And has over 35 years of experience in the field of claims and litigation management both nationally and internationally.. He has been credited with creating the legal auditing industry and a new profession of legal auditor. Dr. Maue began Stuart Maue in 1985 which according to the Wall Street Journal is the oldest legal auditing company. Dr. Maue has authored over 20 journal articles on legal fee auditing and legal cost control and management. He has been the featured speaker in at over 25 seminars and conventions and has appeared on two nationally syndicated television shows. Dr. Maue has served as an Adjunct Professor at Missouri State University in Warrenton teaching various course in business and law.
Along with his academic background ,Dr.Maue has received the following professional certifications:
- CFC, Certified Forensic Consultant, American Board of Forensic Examiners
- CFE, Certified Fraud Examiner, Association of Fraud Examiners
- CBM, Certified Business Manager, American Association of Business Management
- CFSA, Certified Financial Services Auditor , National Association of Financial Services Auditors
Dr. Maue holds memberships in the following profession organizations;
- Institute of Internal Auditors
- Association of Trial Lawyers of America
- The College of Master Advocates and Barristers
- The International Bar Association
- Past President, Risk and Insurance Management Society
- American Academy of Certified Consultants and Experts
- The American College of Forensic Examiners
DENNIS MURDOCK
Member since 2005
Spouse: Marlene
B.S., Upper Iowa University
Executive Vice President and CEO, Central Iowa Power Cooperative (CIPCO), Cedar Rapids
Murdock has 43 years experience in the electric utility industry at CIPCO, with responsibilities in accounting, finance, contracts, and power supply, and a broad range of experience working with community leaders across the CIPCO service territory, stretching from the Mississippi River on the eastern border of the state to nearly Missouri and Nebraska on the southwestern border.
Murdock's list of affiliations includes member of the board and chairman of Iowa Capital Investment Corporation; member of the board of managers of the Iowa Community Development, LC; member of board of directors and chairman of the Iowa Capital Corporation; member of board of directors and chairman of the Iowa Area Development Group; member of board of directors of Hawkeye Insurance Association; member of the board of directors and chairman of Capital Management Associates; member of the board of directors of Iowa Association of Business and Industry and serves on the Executive Committee of ABI; and treasurer of UIU Board of Trustees.
BERNARD PATTISON
Member since 1986
Spouse: Arnetta
Native of Fayette
Attended University of Iowa
Pattison is the owner of two agribusinesses, Lloyd Pattison & Sons, Inc., and Pattison Bros., Inc., and part owner of Ag Products Terminal Co., also an agri-business. He also serves as president of the board of directors, Maple Crest Manor Nursing Home; is a member of the Fayette Chamber of Commerce, Greater Fayette Promotional Corporation; was a Fayette Community School (FCS) board member for 15 years and president of the FCS board for three years; and is a member of the National Grain & Feed Association and Agriculture Association of Iowa.
TIMOTHY J. RUEB
Member since 2012
Sophomore, Upper Iowa University
Rueb joined the board as a sophomore at UIU in 2012 after being elected President of the Student Government Association. A 2011 graduate of Hill-Murray School, Maplewood, Minn., Rueb came to UIU as a business major. A member of the Peacock men's soccer team, he also is a resident assistant for UIU.
LOWELL SCHWAB
Member since 2011
Spouse: Rae Ann Carter
B.A., M.A. University of Minnesota
Schwab lives in Hamel, Minnesota. He is a native of Minnesota and attended the University of Minnesota where he received his undergraduate degree in business and economics and a master's degree in finance.
Schwab started as a company officer with Donaldson Company, Inc. in 1994. He has been retired for a year. His last position was as senior vice-president of global operations for Donaldson. As a retiree, he has time for his many interests including fishing, hunting, and economics.
Schwab and his wife, the former Rae Ann Carter, have two children. Their daughter, Clair, is a manager of marketing for Ann Taylor in New York, and their son, Kevin, is working on his MBA at the University of Minnesota.
BARRY B. SMITH
Member since 2002
Spouse: Janet
B.S., Upper Iowa University
Business entrepreneur and start-up expert, working with various businesses looking to expand in the Cedar Rapids area
Smith's past positions include teaching in the Maquoketa Valley Schools and engineering positions at Collins Radio in Cedar Rapids, IA, and for McDonnell Aircraft, where he worked on the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo space programs. He has also worked with projects involving computer memory fabrication techniques.





