Bonnie K Bell

Director-Loss Prevention for Hy-Vee, INC

Bonnie graduated from Chariton Community High School then attended the American Institute of Business in Des Moines.  Before joining Hy-Vee, Bonnie had an extensive background in law enforcement.  She worked for the Des Moines Police Department, Polk County Sheriff's Office, Postal Inspection Service and the U.S. Marshals office. 

Bonnie has been with Hy-Vee for twenty years.  In the year 2000 Bonnie was chosen by her peers as the recipient of the Community Involvement Award of the Year.  Her name was permanently enshrined in the Hy-Vee Hall of Fame.
 
In her spare time, Bonnie enjoys travel, working out, golfing, and helping in the community on various projects.

Richard and JoAnne Gidel

Richard Gidel

1957 - 1959: Ellsworth College, Iowa Falls, Ia.
1959 - 1979: U.S. Air Force with assignments at:       

1. Air Defence Command, Geiger Field, Spokane, Wa.
2. Tactical Air Command, Bentwaters AB, England.
3. Air Weather Service, Paine Field, Everett, Wa.
4. Air Force Audition General, Plattsburgh AFB, Ny.
5. Air Force Audition General, Incirlik, AB, Turkey.
6. North American Air Defence Command, Colorado Springs, CO.
7. Pacific Air Command, Nakhom Phanom, Thailand.
8. Strategic Air Command, Fairchild AFB, Wa.

1 March 1979: Retired from the Air Force with the rank of Master Sergeant and the position of Nuclear and Missile Safety Officer.
3 March 1979: Took over the family farming operation until retiring in 2001 and leasing the land.


Richard Gidel's retirement day with
Wing Cmdr. Col. John Shoud

1. Township Trustees.
2. Township Cemetary.
3. Catholic Cemetary Chairman.
4. Williams Public Library Board.
5. Church Council
6. Hamilton County Soil & Water Conservation Comission.
7. President of T-2000 No-Till/Ridge Till Farming Group.
8. Republican Party of Hamilton County Central Committee.
9. American Legion Post 633. (Commander for 15 years)
10. Church Deanary Representative to the Archdiocese of Dubuque.

JoAnn Gidel

1957 - 1963: Principal Insurance home office in Des Moines, Ia.
1963 - 1965: West Coast Telephone company, Everett, Wa.
1965 - 1967: Bell Telephone Company, Plattsburgh, NY.
1967 - 1969: With husband during Air Force assignment to Adana, Turkey.
1969 - 1976: Mountain Bell Telephone Company, Colorado Springs, CO.
1976 - 1979: U.S. West Communications Company (Bell Tele), Spokane, WA.
1979 - 1994: U.S. West Communications Company, Ames & Des Moines, IA.
August 1994: Retired from U.S. West Communications
1994 - 1998: Office Manager for the Iowa College of Natural Health, Webster city, IA.
1998 - Present: Volunteer work for Church, Community, and the Republican Party Central Committee of Hamilton County and Treasurer of the Republican Women of Hamilton County. 

J. David Nichols

 
J. David Nichols is managing partner of Nichols Farms, LTD, a family owned operation which combines seedstock production, cattle feeding, and farming in southwest Iowa. Nichols Farms is the largest seedstock operation in the Midwest and one of largest in the US. Nichols raises and sells about 800 head of production tested yearling bulls each year. In addition to the Iowa headquarters they have franchises located in North Carolina, Illinois, Indiana, and Missouri, with more on the way. Nichols Farms have sold semen, embryos or live animals to 28 foreign countries. Nichols Farms believes research and development are essential and have participated in research projects with University of Missouri, Virginia Tech, University of Georgia, Cornell University, Kansas State and participated with Iowa State University in the original ultra-sound research in 1987.  They host over twenty Cattlemen and Collegiate tours each year at their Farm. 

Nichols Farms Value Added Marketing services include Nichols Genetic Source Verified Auctions, Nichols Genetic Source Bred Heifers, Nichols Alliance Feedlots, and shares/slots in US Premium Beef packing/processing plant.

Dave is married to Phyllis Nichols. They have two children, Fletcher, who works at Nichols Farms and, Jennifer, who is Special Features Editor for a daily newspaper.

Inducted into Iowa Cattlemens Hall of Fame
Selected by BEEF magazine as a Top 40 Person for contributions to the beef industry the past 40 years
Advisory Board Member of eMerge interactive
Board Member of CUP Laboratories
Past Chairman of NCBA Product Enhancement Committee
2000 NCBA Long Range Strategic Planning Committee
Served on the Iowa Cattlemen's Association Executive Committee and Board of Directors.
Past President and trustee of the American Simmental Association.
Appointed to the National Beef Promotion and Research Board.
Past President of The National Beef Improvement Federation (BIF).

Major General Robert L. Sentman

BORN:

• August 12, 1938 in Iowa City, Iowa

EDUCATION:

• Graduated University High School, Iowa City, Iowa.
• Attended Upper Iowa University, Fayette, Iowa
• Graduate American Breeders Service, A. I. Management School.
• Graduate, Juran Institute of Total Quality Management.
• Certified Pesticide Applicator through Iowa State University.

BUSINESS:

• Owner/Operator of a 1200 acre grain/livestock farm.
• Co-owner of ROB-ELL SIMMENTALS, a 60 head purebred cow operation specializing in seedstock sales throughout the Midwest.
• Kruger Seed Dealer for past 20 some years.
• Director - Iowa State Bank & Trust Company 1983 to present.

AWARDS:

• Named Outsdanding Farm Family by Iowa City Chamber of Commerce in 1981.
• Named Cattleman of the Year 1979.
• Owned and exhibited the Grand Champion Simmental Junior Heifer at the National Western Stock Show, Denver, Colorado 1988.
• Has won numerous corn and soybean growers awards.
• Named in Who's Who in American Agriculture in 1989.
• Iowa State Team Penning Champion for 1996 - Team Penning is an equine event. Have also won several other Team Penning Awards.
• Region 7 - United States Team Penning Association Team Sorting Champion - 2005
• Finished 9^th out of 1,540 contestants at United States Team Sorting Finals, November, 2005 at Amarillo, Texas
• Won 1^st Place Team Penning at the 100^th Anniversary of the Denver National Western Stock Show, January, 2006, Denver, Colorado
• Won First Place Master Soybeans Growers Contest, Johnson County in 1998 with a yield of 76.16 bushels per acre
• Military Affairs Will J. Hayek Award, November 2005
• Placed on Corp of Engineers Veteran's Trail, May, 2005

MILITARY SERVICE:

• Enlisted U.S. Army 8 January 1958.
• Attained rank of sergeant, commissioned through Officer Candidate School as a Second Lieutenant on 7 July, 1962.
• During Career, commanded two Engineer Platoons, two Engineer Companies, an Engineer Battalion, an Artillery Battalion, a Support Group and a Command and Control Headquarters, Iowa National Guard.
• Promoted to Brigadier General 11 March 1986 and served as Director of Mobilization and Planning for the Iowa National Guard.
• On 1 February, 1988 was assigned as Assistant Division Commander 47^th Infantry Division, St. Paul, Minnesota.
• Continued as Assistant Division Commander with the 34^th Infantry Division.
• In total have compiled 21 years, 8 months of command time.
• General Sentman is a graduate of the Engineer Officer Basic Course, Engineer Officer Advanced Course, the Command and General Staff College, the U.S. Army War College (SRCOC) and the U.S. Army Mobilization and Training School.
• In addition, has participated in four Battle Command Training (BCTP) Programs, which is a Division/Corps level exercise conducted by the U.S. Army Command and General College.
• Retired as Major General, 5 August, 1992

MILITARY AWARDS:

• Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster
• 2 Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
• 2 Army Commendation Medal
• Army Achievement Medal
• National Defense Medal
• Armed Forces Reserve Medal
• Army Reserve Component Medal
• Army Service Ribbon
• Iowa Meritorious Service Award with Oak Leaf Cluster
• Minnesota Meritorious Service Award
• While at Annual Training in Camp Ripley, Minnesota, was credited for saving the town of Little Falls, Minnesota in July, 1972 when the worst flood in Minnesota history threatened to destroy the town.
• General Sentman was credited for being the driving force to rebuild the Iowa National Guard after the Vietnam War. He brought his units to the highest levels of strength and readiness. His efforts in mobilization readiness enabled many of his units to perform successfully in Desert Storm, Afghanistan and Iraq.

CIVIC AFFAIRS:

• Director Johnson County Extension Council, 1965 - 1968
• Director Johnson County Farm Bureau, 1967 - 1970
• Served as Director and Secretary/Treasurer Consumers Cooperative, Iowa City, Iowa 1968 - 1978
• Served as Director and President Johnson County Cattlemen, 1975 - 1987
• Served as Chairman Clear Creek School Advisory Panel, 1978 - 1979
• Served as District Director Farmers Home Administration, 1980 - 1984
• Was appointed by Iowa Governor Branstad as one of seven persons to work in the State of Iowa to assist the 621 banks within the State during the Farm Crisis of 1982
• Director Iowa City Chamber of Commerce, 1988 - 1991
• Chairman and Charter Member Military Affairs Association, 1986 - Present
• Chairman Military Affairs Association, 1993 - 1994
• Director and President Tiffin Fire Association, 1987 - 1995
• Director Iowa State Bank and Trust Company, 1983 - Present
• Iowa State Bank Chairman of Audit Committee, 2002 - Present. Member since 1994
• Public Affairs Representative, Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve for the State of Iowa, 1992 - Present.
• President Iowa State Team Penning Association, 1997 - 1998
• Founder of Hawkeye Team Penning club, 2000 - Present
• Have given countless speeches to Service Clubs and Memorial Day and Veteran's Day Activities
• Assists Veterans groups with Military Funerals and Honor.
• Junior Vice Commander of Sons of the Veterans of the Union that fought in the Civil War, 2005 - Present

ORGANIZATION MEMBERSHIP:

• Oxford American Legion
• Farm Bureau
• Life Member Reserve Officers Association
• Life Member National Guard Association
• American Simmental Association
• Iowa Simmental Association
• Iowa Cattleman's Association
• Chamber of Commerce
• Military Affairs Association of Johnson County
• American Soybean Association
• Iowa Committee Member of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve
• John Deere Two-Cylinder Collectors Club
• Oliver Collector Club
• University of Iowa I-Club
• Masonic Lodge
• American Quarter Horse Association
• Iowa State Team Penning Association
• Hawkeye Team Penning Club
• United States Team Penning Association
• Team Pen America Association
• Sons of the Union Veterans of Civil War
• Coralville Lake Veterans Trail Commission
• Tiffin Methodist Church
• Tiffin Veterans Commission, Chairman - 2006

FAMILY:

• Married to Ellen D. Sentman, a co-owner of ROB-ELL SIMMENTALS.
• Father of three daughters and have 3 son-in-laws, Beverly Seelman (James), Co-Owner/President of own business, MBA Concrete, Inc., North Liberty, Iowa; Stephanie Rourke (Terry), Director of Marketing for South Slope Telephone Company, North Liberty, Iowa and Patricia Tomash (William), Customer Service Origin Relocater & Claims Manager, Maher Brothers Transfer and Storage, Iowa City, Iowa.
• Eight grandchildren - Amanda, Brett, Megan Seelman; Mariah, Chase, Nile Rourke; Jessica and Nick Tomash

Stan and Marjorie Sheldon

Stan Sheldon, Age 83

One of eight boys, all eight boys served in the military.

WWII Veteran, Sergeant, 9th Air Force, 76th Troop Carrier Squadron, 435 Troop Carrier Group,
Combat Medals, 8 Bronze Stars from; Northern Europe, Normandy, Southern France, Rome-Arno, Central Europe, Ardennes, Rhineland, Bastogne plus a  Presidential Unit citation.

Stan feels he does not consider himself a war hero. Although the Fort Dodge Messenger (Bill Shea) did a full page spread on Oct. 25, 2004 calling him an unsung hero.

Retired Agri-businessman
Owner/Mgr. 840 acre Iowa Farm
Hamilton County Republican Central Committee Member
Former Chairman Hamilton County Republicans
1980 Delegate Republican Convention, Detroit
Member, Church of Christ
Former Chairman of the Board of Elders New Testament Church of Christ
1973 Senior Olympics Decathlon Champion (age 55)
Fast-pitch softball pitcher, over 1,000 career victories
Marjorie Sheldon, Age 82
Retired Independent Insurance Agent, 35 years, Webster City, IA.
Member, Hamilton County Central Committee




 

Jim and Linda Smith

Jim and Linda Smith of Cedar Rapids have been happily married since 1962.  They have a son Marty and daughter-in-law Jenny, who have blessed them with two very precious grandsons.  Jim and Linda have for years enjoyed taking an active role in their church and community involvement.
 
Jim, a North English High School graduate, attended Iowa State College in Ames and worked with his father at Al Smith and Son's Conoco.  In 1966, he was employed by the U.S. Postal Service until his retirement in 1997.

Jim served his Country in the Army National Guard for 37 years, retiring a CW4.  In doing so, he earned the Meritorious Service Medal, Iowa Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal and twice awarded the Army Commendation Medal.

Jim has served not only as a church treasurer, but was also treasurer for Lumir Dostal's campaign for Linn County Supervisor.  His resume further includes being a former president of the Linn County Foster Parent Association, an Ellis YMCA Board member, and currently a volunteer at the Community Health Free Clinic.

Linda, a Cedar Rapids Jefferson High School graduate, has maintained an active schedule of volunteerism.  While their son was in school, she involved herself in his education as a PTA officer and volunteer coordinator.  In addition, Linda served her church as a Sunday School teacher for 25 years.

In 1987-1988, Linda was Linn County's co-chair for Pat Robertson's campaign for president.

As a facilitator for SOSA, (a support group for abused women) Linda has ministered to women of all ages.  She served on the Kingston Hill Retirement Home Boards for 28 years and currently sits on the Board of Directors for Keys to Living Christian Counseling Center while volunteering many hours at the Community Health Free Clinic.

Together, Jim and Linda serve their church and community as teachers, helpers and friends.  They not only consider it their duty to serve others, but count it a privilege and an obvious source of enjoyment.

Steve Weeber

Steve Weeber is a graduate of Iowa City High School, Simpson College (chemistry), and the University of Chicago (MBA).

Steve spent a 33-year career with Nalco Chemical Company, a Fortune 500 water and waste treatment company, where he was an officer of the company for fifteen years and a director the last three years. He was serving as vice chairman of the board of directors when he retired in 2000.

Steve and his wife Jan live on one of three Weeber homestead farms (established 1847) which he owns. Steve and Jan have two children and five grandchildren who love to visit the farm. Steve works full time on the farm and is also an active preservationist and restorer of old agricultural equipment.

He currently serves as chairman of the board of trustees of Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa where he also served as president of its alumni association.