Ben Lors
Ben Lors is an IT Leader at John Deere ISG, where he leads teams producing advanced technology solutions to help feed the world. Ben resides in Norwalk with his wife and four children, and his three daughters make him particularly passionate about getting girls involved in STEM related careers.
Ruth Mwangangi
Ruth Mwangangi is a Senior Project Manager, PMP, CSM, at The Principal Financial Group. Ruth is passionate about helping young people dream big and offers a helping hand along the way. As Vice President of Tech Journey, Ruth has been instrumental in camp planning and operations.
Antonio Kioko
Antonio (Tony) Kioko is an Assistant Director of Information Technology at Principal Financial Group. Tony has more than 10 years of experience in the Information Technology field. He graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with BA in Management Information Systems and a minor in Computer Information Systems. He is currently working on his Executive Management Business Administration (MBA) at the University of Iowa Tippie Business School. Tony is also a 2014 graduate of the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute.
Sarah Ball
Principal Financial Group
Megan Bannister
Megan Bannister is a freelance writer and Social Media Manager at the Des Moines Art Center. Previously she served as the Iowa Editor of Silicon Prairie News, which is how she initially became involved with Tech Journey. Since then she has helped spread her passion for STEM education by helping Tech Journey tell its story in print and online.
Chris Bergman
Chris serves as the Executive Director of Learning and Innovation in the Johnston Community School District. Within her role, she supports teacher leadership, professional learning, leadership development, and business partnerships. Creating authentic experiences for students and making connections to the skills and dispositions needed for success as a productive citizen are two of her charges.
Ron Edwards
Ron Edwards is Associate Chief Counsel at John Deere Financial in Johnston, Iowa. He is responsible for providing legal guidance to the company’s U.S. wholesale lending operations and advising on cross-border lending transactions in Latin America.
Edwards recently served on the Board of Directors for the Two Rivers YMCA, as Chairman of the Board of Directors for Bethany for Children and Families, and as Chairman of the John Deere Political Action Committee. In addition to Tech Journey, he currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Des Moines Symphony and Tech Journey.
Edwards has a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and a Juris Doctor from Ohio State University – Moritz College of Law.
Laura Hilby
Laura Hilby is a Senior Assurance Associate and certified public accountant at RSM US LLP. She is a graduate of Buena Vista University with degrees in accounting and corporate mathematics. Outside of work, Laura enjoys running races, playing tennis, and volunteering.
Brad Schabel
Brad Schabel is currently the Operations Manager for Schabel Solutions Inc., a family owned business which offers coaching and consulting services in the areas of equity, cultural competency, diversity and inclusion to businesses, educational and not-for-profit organizations. He is a graduate of Iowa State University with an MA in History and a BA in History and International Studies. Outside of work, Brad enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing tennis, traveling and volunteering.
David Kessler
David Kessler works for Pillar and co-founded Tech Journey with Antonio Kioko. As a father of seven children, three of which are girls, he’s focused on empowering young minds and fresh faces to pursue STEM careers.
Andrea Krieg
Tom Pesek
Tom Pesek is a product manager for Emerson Automation Solutions in Marshalltown where he focuses on new product development. He is a founding member of the Des Moines Makerspace and enjoys helping people, especially the young at heart, learn how to create and make.
Cecil Williams
CCecil G. Williams is a senior coach at Industrial Logic and an adjunct instructor and tutor at Purdue Global University. Cecil has over 30 years of technology experience combined with more than 10 years of university teaching experience. Cecil has a BS in Nuclear Engineering, an MBA, and an MS in Information Technology. Cecil enjoys helping people of all ages learn technology and pursue STEM careers no mater what stage of their life.