Board of Directors

Aaron Nickman

Local Advisor

2021-2024

Lewis Central High School

Alyson Ball

State Officer Representative

2023-2024

MMCRU High School

Ami Burns

Industry Representative

2023-2026

Vermeer Corporation

Ben Applegate

Local Advisor

2023-2026

Waverly-Shell Rock High School

Cale Hutchings

Corporate Member

2023-2024

Iowa Department of Education

Curt Cornelius

Local Advisor

2023-2026

Des Moines Area Community College, Ankeny Campus

Jacob Henderson

Local Advisor

2022-2025

OABCIG High School

Jenny Irlmeier

Industry Representative

2021-2024

Masonry Institute of Iowa

Kent Storm

State Director

2023-2024

SkillsUSA Iowa

Matt Hansen

Local Advisor, Board President

2022-2025

MMCRU High School

Shane Peterson

Local Advisor

2021-2024

West Lyon High School

VACANT B&I 3

Industry Representative

2022-2025

VACANT

The Board of Directors is the policy-making group for SkillsUSA Iowa. Members of the Board work together to set a strategic direction for the association and ensure that our resources are aligned with our mission to empower our members to become world-class workers, leaders and responsible citizens.

What value would I receive by serving on the SkillsUSA Iowa Board of Directors?

Serving on the Board of Directors is a commitment, but it is also an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of our student members who have committed to personal and professional development. Your knowledge and experience will play a key role in developing and supporting the SkillsUSA mission is built upon — and its success depends on —the commitment of our members and partners to the following values:

Integrity
Respect
Responsibility
Community
Service

The value you will receive is priceless when you serve to change the life of our next generation to reduce the skills gap. SkillsUSA produces the most highly skilled workforce in the world, providing every member the opportunity for career success. Below are videos showing what SkillsUSA means to student members and their advisors.

In addition to local leadership opportunities for student members at their school, SkillsUSA Iowa offers leadership opportunities at the district and state levels. Click here to see our SkillsUSA Iowa State Officers. Your service on the board of directors will help shape our next generation of leaders!

What is the role of a Board member?

The Board of Directors is the single governing body of SkillsUSA Iowa. It actively promotes the objectives of the organization, operating in accordance with the programs and policies established by the Board and those in the bylaws.

What are the fiduciary responsibilities of a Board member?

Duty of Care—The Board and the Board member’s obligation to be reasonably informed, to act in good faith, and to be diligent in making decisions.
Duty of Loyalty—The Board and the Board member’s obligation to be accountable by putting personal interests aside for the greater good.
Duty of Obedience—The Board and the Board member’s obligation to comply with legal, regulatory, and reporting requirements and to serve as a guardian of the association’s mission.

What does it mean to be on the Board?

When you serve on the Iowa Board of SkillsUSA , you are asked to bring your experience and advocate for the best interest of all stakeholders at the state level. Board members meet periodically to discuss and vote on the affairs of the organization.

What is the selection process to be on the Board?

The Board of Directors has established a Governance Committee to oversee the recruitment and nomination process for directors. The committee, which includes members from the board and from the association at large, will recommend a slate of nominees for the open Board seats to the Board. In selecting individuals to nominate, the Governance Committee will consider qualifications and experience, diversity benchmarks, and geographic location to support current and anticipated initiatives.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

SkillsUSA strives to ensure inclusive participation in all of our programs, partnerships and employment opportunities. In SkillsUSA, diversity encompasses differences in race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, gender transition status, national origin, age, physical and mental ability, thinking styles, experience and education. We strive to make all members, partners and employees feel welcomed and valued in the SkillsUSA family. SkillsUSA believes in treating all people with respect and dignity. We want SkillsUSA to be regarded as a membership organization of choice that encourages all individuals to be involved.The Board of Directors has committed to the importance of understanding, fostering, and celebrating diverse perspectives and experiences through DEI education and training. In that spirit, we encourage professionals with diverse viewpoints, experiences, and backgrounds to apply.

What preparation will I receive before my first Board meeting?

New Board members will be given an orientation to bring them up to speed on Board issues and the roles and responsibilities of a Board member.

How many meetings are there and what is the travel commitment?

There are four meetings per school/program year, typically in September, December, March, and June. Additionally, Board members are asked to participate in SkillsUSA’s programming by attending conferences to provide support for SkillsUSA Iowa’s programs.

There are occasional online meetings or webinars, such as the annual online Board orientation or informative webinars for advisers, which are optional, but recommended, for Board members. Additional virtual Board meetings may take place as needed.

Reimbursable Expenses

This is a volunteer position, so there is no compensation for serving on the Board. However, SkillsUSA Iowa covers travel expenses for Board members to include:

Travel (ground transportation, tolls, parking)
Meals
Hotel
For teachers and college professors, one day of substitute teacher compensation reimbursement for each day of official Board of Directors duty that falls on a school day, payable to the school upon request of the board member.

What are the committees of the Board?

The committees may change from year to year based on the strategic plan and needs. Board members are asked to actively participate in committee work and meetings to further the mission of the organization.

What leadership opportunities are available?

Board members have the opportunity to be an officer of the Board (president, vice president, secretary) or a chair of a committee, task force, or council. In addition to the opportunity to be a chair of a committee or task force, Board members also have the opportunity to serve as an officer of the Board.

TITLE:

Member, SkillsUSA Iowa Board of Directors (Board)

REPORTS TO:

President, SkillsUSA Iowa Board of Directors (Board)

BASIC FUNCTION:

As representatives of the public, be the primary force pressing SkillsUSA Iowa to the realization of its mission, opportunities for services and the fulfillment of its obligations to all its constituencies. The Board formulates and establishes policies and procedures for the organization.

DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES AND AUTHORITY:

Individuals appointed/elected function as a part of the unit known as the Board of Directors. The position calls for leadership qualities of the highest degree. Board members must have a good working relationship with association staff and its members. Communication to-and-from the SkillsUSA Iowa staff to the Board is channeled through the Executive Director. Communication from the Board is channeled through the Board president to the Executive Director. In addition, Board members must be aware of the importance of public opinion and have the ability to promote the process and value of students preparing for entry into the labor market. The ability to delegate authority while retaining responsibility is most important. The Board member must have the ability to represent all members of the association and not just a section or state that they represent. The role of the Board is to serve as a governance policy body and the Executive Director is responsible for the day-to-day operation of SkillsUSA Iowa.

Committees

The following standing committees will be organized by the Board President in consultation with the Executive Director.

Development
The Development Committee will review the development, strategy, and performance of annual goals over the year prior. The committee will review the development policy and make recommendations to the Board.
Finance
The Finance Committee will continuously monitor the financial reports of SkillsUSA Iowa The Committee will review investments, monitor budget reports, annual audit, and propose adjustments in policy or actions needed to keep SkillsUSA financially strong. The committee will work with the Executive Director to develop an annual budget for approval by the Board.
Program
The Program Committee will review program issues and make recommendations to the Board in the interest of the national organization. Issues related to such programs as the SkillsUSA Framework, Chapter Excellence Program, SkillsUSA Championships and the Career Essentials Program will be discussed by this committee and policy issues related will be brought to the Board with recommendations. The committee will work with the Executive Director to develop an annual plan that will outline the program activities for the following year. This plan will include the priorities for the foundation and fundraising.
Governance and Evaluation/Compensation Review
From the governance standpoint, the committee will review issues related to how SkillsUSA should be governed and organized at the state, local, and national levels. Issues related to the basic documents of the organization including, the student constitutions, articles of incorporation and bylaws, will be discussed by this committee and policy recommendations will be brought to the Board. Governance structure changes at all levels, as well as staff structures, will be the purview of this committee.
The committee will also conduct an annual review of the Executive Director’s performance and recommend to the Board actions related to his/her employment regarding job descriptions, salary or incentive pay, benefits, personal objectives or future contractual arrangements. In the event of the need to change the Executive Director, this committee will recommend requirements to the Board, conduct the search and make recommendations for interviews. Further, this committee will review the annual compensation plan and incentive recommendations for the entire staff, as well as personnel policies.

BASIC BOARD RESPONSIBILITIES:

Planning

Approve SkillsUSA's philosophy and review management's performance in achieving it.
Annually assess the ever-changing environment and approve SkillsUSA’s strategy in relation to it.
Annually review and approve SkillsUSA’s plans for funding its strategy.
Review and approve SkillsUSA’s long-range financial goals.
Annually review and approve SkillsUSA's budget.
Approve major policies guiding SkillsUSA.

Organization

Elect, monitor, appraise, advise, stimulate, support, reward and, if deemed necessary or desirable, change top management. Regularly discuss the Executive Director matters that are of concern to the Board.
Be assured management succession is properly being provided.
Be assured the status of organization strength and manpower planning is equal to the requirements of the long-range goals.
Approve appropriate compensation and benefit policies and practices.
Propose slate of directors to members and fill vacancies as needed.
Annually approve the performance review of the Executive Director and establish his compensation based on recommendations of the personnel committee and President of the Board.
Determine eligibility for and appoint Board committees in response to recommendations of the nominating committee.
Annually review the performance of the Board and take steps (including its composition, organization and responsibilities) to improve its performance.

Operations

Review the results achieved by management as compared with SkillsUSA’s philosophy, annual and long-range goals and the performance of similar institutions.
Be certain the financial structure of SkillsUSA is adequate for its current needs and its long-range strategy.
Provide candid and constructive criticism, advice and comments.
Approve major actions of SkillsUSA such as:
- Capital expenditures on all projects over authorized limits; and
- Major changes in programs and services.

Audit

Be assured the Board and its committees are adequately and currently informed through reports and other methods on the condition of SkillsUSA and its operations.
Be assured published reports properly reflect the operating results and financial condition of SkillsUSA.
Ascertain management has established appropriate policies to define and identify conflicts of interest throughout SkillsUSA and is diligently administering and enforcing those policies.
Appoint independent auditors.
Review compliance with relevant material laws reflecting the institution.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Meet the requirements of the Bylaws of SkillsUSA Iowa.

Eco-Friendly Design

24/7 Support

Multilingual
Functionality

Advanced Tech

Board of Directors

Aaron Nickman

Alyson Ball

Ami Burns

Ben Applegate

Cale Hutchings

Curt Cornelius

Jacob Henderson

Jenny Irlmeier

Kent Storm

Matt Hansen

Shane Peterson

VACANT B&I 3

Call

Email

Connect