Perseverance and passion are two attributes that describe Andrew Pauley, a 2017 OEI alum and a new part-owner in Specialty Archery L.L.C. in Spencer. Pauley started his first business at the age of 12, which kick-started his love for business. In college at Iowa State University (ISU), he started a new business venture, U Conceal … Continue Reading
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Alumni Updates
OEI featured on Develop This! podcast
In November, Dennis Fraise and Jason Hutcheson, co-hosts of the popular economic development podcast Develop This! visited the Iowa Lakes Corridor to keynote the Corridor’s annual Business Recognition Luncheon. While in the region, Fraise and Hutcheson sat down with community leaders to talk about some of the great initiatives and programs happening in the Iowa … Continue Reading
Where are they now? Carl Kirpes, OEI 2012
The “Where are they now?” series looks at how Okoboji Entrepreneurial Institute shaped the lives, entrepreneurial journeys and career paths of its alumni. Email your story. Name and Title: Carl Kirpes, Crude Oil Strategy & Analysis University attended, degree and year of graduation: Iowa State University, B.S. Industrial & Manufacturing Systems Engineering & B.S. Mechanical Engineering, … Continue Reading
Where are they now? Steven Brockshus, OEI 2017
The “Where are they now?” series looks at how Okoboji Entrepreneurial Institute shaped the lives, entrepreneurial journeys and career paths of its alumni. Email your story. Name and Title: Steven Brockshus, Founder & CEO University attended, degree and year of graduation: Iowa State University, Agricultural Education, 2018 Year attended Okoboji Entrepreneurial Institute: 2017 Company name: FarmlandFinder … Continue Reading
UNI JPEC OEI Suite Update
The John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center at the University of Northern Iowa recently sent out an update about the occupant of the OEI suite at their center. A graduate of OEI in 2016, Scott Burak just graduated from the University of Northern Iowa this year. He has been occupying the OEI suite at the UNI John … Continue Reading
Where are they now? Katie VanMeter, OEI 2009
The “Where are they now?” series looks at how Okoboji Entrepreneurial Institute shaped the lives, entrepreneurial journeys and career paths of its alumni. Email your story. Name and Title: Katie VanMeter, Co-Owner / Marketing Director University attended, degree and year of graduation: University of Northern Iowa, B.A., Art Studio: Graphic Design, 2010 Year attended Okoboji Entrepreneurial … Continue Reading
OEI 2013 alum opening new business in Spencer
Nate Samp didn’t always want to work in construction, but he’s always admired his dad. “I didn’t grow up planning to do construction,” Samp said with a laugh during an interview. “When I was younger, I didn’t necessarily like the idea of doing that the rest of my life, but I always wanted to be … Continue Reading
ADFly, LLC named finalist for Technology Association of Iowa’s Student Innovation of the Year Prometheus Award
Okoboji Entrepreneurial Institute alumni are going to have a strong presence at the Technology Association of Iowa’s LWBJ Prometheus Awards celebration April 20 in Des Moines. ADFly, LLC, a digital marketing service provider co-founded by University of Northern Iowa senior Scott Burak (OEI 2016), is a finalist for this year’s Student Innovation of the Year award. … Continue Reading
SwineTech, founded by OEI alums, named as finalist for 2 Prometheus Awards
A company started by two Okoboji Entrepreneurial Institute alumni is racking up recognition for its innovative use of technology in agriculture. SwineTech, founded by University of Iowa seniors Matthew Rooda and Abraham Espinoza (both OEI ’16), was named a finalist for two 2017 LWBJ Prometheus Awards – Student Innovation of the Year and Ag Technology … Continue Reading