Kirkwood Community College - Industrial Technologies

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Faculty and Staff

Phil Thomas
Dean, Industrial Technologies
(319) 398-4983
phil.thomas@kirkwood.edu

Phil Thomas has been with Kirkwood since 1991. He has taught in the Iowa Community College system since 1979. He holds degrees from two community colleges and bachelor's and master's degrees from Iowa State University. He currently is enrolled in the Community College Leadership program at ISU.

	Nancy Booher Office Coordinator (319) 398-5659 nancy.booher@kirkwood.edu Prior to coming to Industrial Tech, Nancy had been employed with Kirkwood Skills to Employment and Promise Jobs in Iowa City since 1999.
	Andrea Clark Department Coordinator (319) 398-5460 andrea.clark@kirkwood.edu Andrea studied Anthropology and Russian at Truman State University, and is considering beginning work on a master's degree. She has been with Kirkwood since 2003, spending her first two years in Business and I.T. Prior to that, she was a social worker in Omaha.
	Angela Gillis Department Coordinator (319) 398-4968 angela.gillis@kirkwood.edu Angela Gillis has an A.A. from Kirkwood Community College. Angela has been with Kirkwood since 1999. Prior to coming to the Industrial Technology Department, Angela worked in the Social Science Department.
	Jacque Van Meter Office Coordinator (319) 398-4983 jacque.vanmeter@kirkwood.edu Jacque Van Meter has a B.S. from Illinois State University. Jacque has been working at Kirkwood since June, 2001. Prior to joining the Industrial Technology staff, Jacque worked at the Iowa State Outreach site at Kirkwood as a clerk/off-campus engineering coordinator. She has also worked as a substitute teacher for Grant Wood AEA.

Jennifer Pratt
Inventory Control Specialist, Automotive Technology
(319) 398-5479
jennifer.pratt@kirkwood.edu

Jennifer graduated from Kirkwood Community College in 2004, earning an A.A.S. degree in Automotive Technology. Jennifer worked at Cedar Rapids Toyota prior to starting at Kirkwood in June, 2005.

	Dan Behaunek Professor, Automotive Collision Repair (319) 398-5467 dan.behaunek@kirkwood.edu Dan Behaunek has a Diploma from Kirkwood Community College. Dan has been with Kirkwood since 1979. Prior to coming to Kirkwood, Dan worked at East Side Body Shop in Belle Plaine, Iowa, as a Collision Repair Technician. He is a member of the Eastern Iowa Body Shop Association.
	Gary Brownell Instructor, Automotive Technology Career Academies (319) 398-5479 gary.brownell@kirkwood.edu Gary has an Associates of Applied Science degree in Automotive Technology from Northeast Technical Community College in Norfolk Nebraska and a Bachelor of Science in History and Political Science from Wayne State College in Wayne Nebraska. Gary joined U.S. Army in 1983. Some notable assignments include service as an Artillery Forward Observer for several Infantry units, an Ariel Fire Support Observer flying an OH-58 D Kiowa helicopter, and Chief of Instruction for the Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data Systems Fielding Team at Fort Sill Oklahoma. Gary retired in 2003, after 20 years service. Since 2003, Gary has owned and operated several automotive repair facilities, an auto body shop, and a pizzeria. Gary joined the faculty at Kirkwood in August of 2007.
	Brian Brownfield Instructor, Automotive Technology (319) 398-5484 brian.brownfield@kirkwood.edu Brian graduated from Kirkwood with an A.A.S. in Automotive Technology in 1997, and returned as faculty in 2009. He was the first Auto Tech student to achieve first place at the VICA/Skills USA State Championship. He spent 12 years working full-time in the field, achieving Master status with Chevrolet in 1999, and Master Diagnostic Technician status with Toyota in 2008. Brian is ASE Master Certified and ASE L1 Advanced Engine Performance certified.
	Paul Burdick Professor, Industrial Maintenance & HVAC Technology (319) 398-5899 ext.5846 paul.burdick@kirkwood.edu Paul Burdick has an A.A.S. from Kirkwood Community College and has attended University of Iowa and University of Northern Iowa. Paul has been with Kirkwood since 1986. Prior to coming to Kirkwood, Paul owned and operated a refrigeration and air conditioning business. He is a member of Refrigeration Services Engineering Services.
	Chad Daugherty Assistant Professor, Industrial Maintenance & HVAC Technology (319) 398-5899 Ext. 5351 chad.daugherty@kirkwood.edu Chad Daugherty earned an A.A.S. degree from Kirkwood Community College. Prior to joining Kirkwood Chad was a Service Technician for Colony Heating & Cooling.
	Dan Fitzgerald Instructor, Welding (319) 398-5899 ext.4117 dan.fitzgerald@kirkwood.edu Jones Hall Dan earned a diploma in Welding at Hawkeye Community College. In 1985, Dan enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corp. and was honor graduate at the Marine Corp Welding School in Camp Lejune, NC. Dan owned and operated his own welding and fabrication business from 1990 until 2006. Prior to beginning at Kirkwood, Dan taught welding courses at Northeast Community College.
	Joe Greathouse Instructor, Construction Management (319) 398-5428 joe.greathouse@kirkwood.edu Jones Hall Joe began teaching at Kirkwood in 2007. Prior to that Joe taught Construction at Prairie High School for eight years. He has a Bachelors degree in Industrial Technology and a secondary teaching certificate. He earned his Masters degree in Instructional Technology in 2006.
	Tim Hadsall Instructor, Architectural Technology (319) 398-5899 ext.4410 tim.hadsall@kirkwood.edu Jones Hall Tim joined the faculty at Kirkwood in 2008. Prior to that, he owned his own architectural design and construction management firm for over 10 years. Tim earned a diploma in Architectural Technologies from Des Moines Area Community College, holds an A.A.S. in Construction Management from Kirkwood, and is working on a Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Management from Mount Mercy College.
	Dan Hahn Professor, Mechanical Engineering (319) 398-5531 dan.hahn@kirkwood.edu Dan Hahn has a B.A. from Luther College, a B.S. from Washington University & Utah State University. Dan has been with Kirkwood Community College since 1990. Prior to coming to Kirkwood, Dan worked at Thiokol Corporation as a Project Engineer.
	Todd Hesseltine Associate Professor, Automotive Technology (319) 398-5899 Ext. 1082 todd.hesseltine@kirkwood.edu Todd Hesseltine has an A.A.S. from Kirkwood Community College. Todd has been with Kirkwood since 2001. Prior to coming to Kirkwood, Todd was an Automotive Technician at Advanced Auto Service in Iowa City. Todd was picked as the Outstanding Student of the year in the Year in the Kirkwood Automotive Technology program class of 1990. He was raised around a family owned Automotive Repair Shop in Iowa City.
	Tom Hyde Associate Professor, CAD/Mechanical Engineering (319) 398-5515 tom.hyde@kirkwood.edu Tom Hyde has an A.A.S. from Kirkwood Community College. Tom was a Mechanical Engineering Designer, Engineering Manager, and Technical Writer after graduating from Kirkwood in 1973. He has taught continuously part-time at Kirkwood since 1985, until hired full-time in 1991.
	Gordy Jacobsen Professor, Automotive Collision Repair (319) 398-5467 gjacobs@kirkwood.edu Gordy Jacobsen has a Diploma from Kirkwood Community College. Gordy has been with Kirkwood since 1989. Prior to coming to Kirkwood, Gordy worked at various automotive collision repair facilities as a Collision Repair Technician. He is a member of the Eastern Iowa Body Shop Association.
	Ken Johnston Instructor, Automotive Technology Career Academies (319) 398-5479 kenneth.johnston@kirkwood.edu Ken Johnston has an A.A.S. from Kirkwood Community College. He has been with Kirkwood for one year. Prior to joining Kirkwood, Ken did auto technician work at various automotive repair facilities as an automotive technician.
	Bob Jones Associate Professor, Telecommunications (319) 398-5899 x 5649 bob.jones@kirkwood.edu Bob Jones received an A.A.S. Degree in Laser/Electro Optics from Indian Hills Community College in 1989. Bob developed and started the Telecommunications Technology program at Kirkwood in August 1999. Prior to coming to Kirkwood, Bob worked at McLeodUSA for 6 years in Field Operations as a technician, supervisor and technical trainer. While at McLeodUSA, he attended 8 vendors certified training courses and received training certificates. Prior to McLeodUSA, Bob worked 6 years for Smiths Industries Aerospace in Michigan in the Engineering Research and Development of Fiber Optic Gyro guidance systems for the Strategic Defense Initiative program.
	Gary Jorgenson Associate Professor, Automotive Technology (319) 398-5474 gary.jorgenson@kirkwood.edu Gary Jorgensen has a Diploma from Northeast Iowa Community College. Gary has been with Kirkwood since 1999. Prior to coming to Kirkwood, he worked in area dealerships. He began as a line technician and worked his way up into management.
	Barry Kucera Associate Professor, Carpentry (319) 398-4985 barry.kucera@kirkwood.edu Barry Kucera started with Kirkwood in 1999. Prior to coming to Kirkwood, Barry worked for Professional Wall Builders as a Foreman. He is a member of Carpenters Local 1260/Iowa City.
	John Lewis Professor, Mechanical Engineering (319) 398-4910 john.lewis@kirkwood.edu John Lewis has an A.A.S. from Kirkwood Community College and a B.A. from Coe College. John has been with Kirkwood since 1979. Prior to coming to Kirkwood, John worked at Link Belt Speeder/FMC as a Design Engineer. In addition, he is the head baseball coach at Kirkwood. His hobbies include baseball and fishing.
	Andy Livin Assistant Professor, CNC Machining Technology (319) 398-5554 andy.livin@kirkwood.edu Andy Livin has an A.A.S. from Kirkwood Community College and is currently attending UNI, majoring in Industrial Management. Andy has been with Kirkwood since 2001. Prior to coming to Kirkwood, Andy was a CNC Machining Instructor at North Iowa Area Community College. For two years, he was a CNC machinist for Advanced Manufacturing Service in Cedar Rapids.
	Jorge Lopez Professor, Architectural Technology (319) 398-5422 1-800-332-2055 Ext. 5422 jorge.lopez@kirkwood.edu Jorge A. Lopez has a B.A. and M.A. from Washington University. Jorge has been with Kirkwood Community College since 1990. Prior to coming to Kirkwood, Jorge owned an architectural firm.
	Joe Luchtenburg Assistant Professor, Masonry (319) 247-1644 joe.luchtenburg@kirkwood.edu Hawkeye Downs Joe has been an instructor at Kirkwood since 2004. He was employed as a Bricklayer with Local 3 Bricklayers Union for 13 years prior to coming to Kirkwood. Joe attended Hawkeye Community College and is currently pursuing his A.A.S. degree at Kirkwood.
	Keith Mitchell Instructor, Automotive Technology (319) 398-5899 Ext. 1128 keith.mitchell@kirkwood.edu Keith Mitchell has a B.S. from the University of Wisconsin – Stout. Keith has worked for several automotive manufacturers, with the most recent being Nissan and Hyundai. His work with the manufacturers has been as a District Parts and Service Manager and a Training Instructor. Keith has also taught Industrial Technology class at several high schools in Iowa.
	Steve Mrstik Professor, Water Environmental Technolog (319) 398-1242 steve.mrstik@kirkwood.edu Steve Mrstik has an A.A. from North Iowa Area Community College and an A.A.S. from Kirkwood Community College. Steve has been with Kirkwood since 1982. Prior to coming to Kirkwood, Steve worked at Sekco and the City of West Liberty as a Certified Wastewater Operator.
	Jim Off Associate Professor, Construction Technology (319) 398-5650 jim.off@kirkwood.edu Jim Off has a B.A. from Mankato State University and an M.A. from University of Northern Iowa. Jim has been with Kirkwood since 1997. Prior to coming to Kirkwood, Jim worked as a Construction Project Manager for 13 years.
	Dennis Owen Professor, Industrial Maintenance & HVAC Technology (319) 398-5614 dennis.owen@kirkwood.edu Dennis Owen has an A.A.S. from Kirkwood Community College. Dennis has been with Kirkwood Community College since 1981. Prior to coming to Kirkwood, he worked at Johnson Controls, Inc. as a Service Coordinator and owned and operated Denny's Refrigeration and Air Conditioning. He is a member of the Refrigeration Service Engineers Society.
	Ian Philpott Instructor, Electronics Engineering Technology (319) 398-5899 ext. 5355 ian.philpott@kirkwood.edu Ian W. Philpott, a graduate of the University of Nottingham, England, worked as a Research Engineer for EMI. The Philpott family moved to the United States in 1982, then to Iowa in 1985. Ian worked for Rockwell Collins for nearly twenty years. Ian is a Master Gardener, specializing in ornamental grasses and clematis.
	Dennis Ringgenberg Assistant Professor, Welding (319) 398-5464 dennis.ringgenberg@kirkwood.edu Dennis Ringgenberg has an A.A.S. degree from Kirkwood Community College. He has been with Kirkwood since 2001. Prior to coming to Kirkwood, Dennis was a welder/fabricator for Hawkeye Weld in Iowa City. In addition to his A.A.S. degree, he is an American Welding Society Certified Welding Inspector (CWI), an AWS Certified Weld Educatior, a multi-process certified welder for structural material and pressure piping, and an I-CAR Welder Certification Test Administrator.
	Victor Schmidt Assistant Professor, HVAC Installer (319) 398-5899 Ext. 1085 victor.schmidt@kirkwood.edu Victor Schmidt has an A.A. from NIACC and a B.S. from Iowa State University. Victor has been with Kirkwood since 2001. Prior to coming to Kirkwood, Victor worked for nine years as a Facility Mechanic III at the Iowa Braille School in Vinton. Victor has also served four-years in the U.S. Navy and is a member of the American Legion Post 57.
	Dave Stotelmyre Professor, CNC Machining Technology (319) 398-5205 dave.stotelmyre@kirkwood.edu Dave Stotelmyre has a Diploma from Kirkwood Community College and has served in the U.S. Navy. Dave has been with Kirkwood since 1978. Prior to coming to Kirkwood, Dave worked at Kwik-Way, Martin Manufacturing, Rex Manufacturing., and in the Navy as an Industrial Engineering Plant Manager and Machine Shop Foreman.
	Jim Trepka Assistant Professor, Electornic Engineering Technology (319) 398-5675 jim.trepka@kirkwood.edu Jones Hall Jim received his M.S. degree in Electical Engineering from the University of Iowa in May 1993. Prior to, he received his B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Minnesota and a B.A. degree in Mathematics from Grinell College. Jim came to Kirkwood with 10 years of industry experience including telecommunications and biomedical work experience with extensive hardware and software experience.
	John Williams Assistant Professor, Plumbing Technology (319) 398-5899 ext 5362 john.williams@kirkwood.edu Washington Hall John Williams has a diploma from Algonquin College. Prior to coming to Kirkwood, John worked in his family's plumbing business. He started teaching in the Plumbing Apprenticeship program at Algonquin College in 1987 and became the program coordinator in 1990. John relocated into the midwest in 2001 and worked for the City of Iowa City as the backflow coordinator and for the City of Moline as the Field Service Manager for the Water Plant.