Human Resources
Human Resources Enterprise (HRE) Diversity Council Member Biographies
DANIELS, PRESTON
Preston Daniels, of Des Moines, has over 30 years of experience in the area of diversity and community development. After receiving his Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology and his Master of Science Degree in Health Science, both from Drake University, he began his career at Employee and Family Resources (EFR) in Des Moines. Currently, Preston serves as the Director of Human Rights for the State of Iowa. Before coming to the State, Preston was the Program Director and Diversity Consultant for the EFR’s Court and Community Relations division, working as an intermediary between the various parties within the criminal justice system. Preston also served six years as a City Councilmember of Des Moines and eight years as the Des Moines Mayor. Among Preston’s most notable accomplishments, with regard to diversity, has been his work on the Mayor’s Task Force on Hate Crimes and his involvement with the Hispanic and Asian Outreach Neighborhood Resource Advocate programs.
HARDMAN, RENEE
Renee Hardman, of West Des Moines, received her Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Master in Business Administration from Drake University. She is currently employed as the Human Resources Senior Vice President at Bankers Trust where, among other functions, she oversees the company’s diversity programming. Renee is also Chair of the National Advisory Diversity Committee for Drake University and Member of the Downtown Des Moines Partnership Diversity Committee. Her most recent honors include the 2007 Sojourner Truth Award and 2007 Community Commitment Award.
BERGGREN, NANCY
Nancy Berggren, of Urbandale, has over 30 years experience in Human Resources. Nancy has managed such varied programs as Staff Development and Training; Compensation and Benefits; Employment; and Labor Relations. Nancy was appointed the Chief Operating Officer of the Human Resources Enterprise in the Iowa Department of Administrative Services in 2003, and she serves in that capacity today. The Human Resources Enterprise is the central human resource agency for the Executive Branch of state government. Nancy holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Iowa and a Masters Degree in Public Administration from Drake University. She also earned a National Certified Public Managers certificate from Drake University and the State of Iowa. Nancy was given the 2006 Distinguished Alumnus award from Drake University’s Pi Alpha Alpha national honor society. This award recognizes excellence in the study and practice of public affairs and administration.
HICKS, SHIRLEY
Shirley Hicks, of Council Bluffs, attended high school at the Iowa School for the Deaf (ISD) and holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and a Master of Science Degree in Education of the Deaf, both from Gallaudet University. Shirley retired last year from her teaching and coordinator positions at the Iowa School for the Deaf after almost 45 years of service. Currently, she volunteers at the ISD Museum and serves on the ISD Board of Directors. Shirley has also served three terms on the Governor’s Developmental Disabilities Council; two terms on the Iowa Utility Board’s Dual Party Relay Council; and 13 years with the Iowa Association of the Deaf, holding the positions of Secretary and President.
JACKSON, REGINALD
Reginald Jackson, of Johnston, currently works as Senior Counsel for Wells Fargo Bank and served as a member of the company’s first corporate-wide Diversity Council. He has also acted as Chair of the Des Moines Human Rights Commission and is a current member of the Orchard Place Board of Directors. Reginald received his Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education from Simpson and his Juris Doctorate from the University of Iowa College of Law.
JENKINS, ROBIN
Robin Jenkins, of Des Moines, works in the Department of Administrative Services – Human Resources Enterprise as the State Recruitment and Retention Coordinator. Robin is currently the Board President of the YWCA of Greater Des Moines and an Advisory Board Member of the African-American Historical Museum and Cultural Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Robin received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Human Resources from St. Leo College in St. Leo, Florida.
LAREW, JAMES
James Larew, of Iowa City, works as General Counsel and Policy Director for the Office of Governor Chet Culver and Lt. Governor Patty Judge. He is a graduate of Harvard University and the University of Iowa College of Law. Before assuming his present position, he practiced law for 20 years in private practice where, as a part of a general practice, his work focused primarily on railroad law, employment law, and civil rights litigation.
PÉREZ, ALBA
Alba Pérez, of Des Moines, attended the School of Foreign Languages at La Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Honduras, studying English and French. Alba is currently the Diversity Development Director for the Greater Des Moines Partnership, where one of her primary responsibilities is the coordination of educational programming opportunities. Her current civic involvement includes service on the boards of the Iowa Pride Network and the Neighborhood Finance Corporation, as well as membership on the Iowa Career Consortium’s Multicultural and Advisory Committee. Alba is also a 2007 Passport to Prosperity Honoree and recipient of the 2004 State of Iowa Latina Business Leader Award.
REED JR., WALTER
Walter Reed, Jr., of Des Moines, is the Director of the Iowa Department of Human Rights. Walter has over 24 years of management and supervisory experience, as well as 26 years of community and civic volunteer experience. He worked for ten years as Executive Director of the City of Waterloo Commission on Human Rights. Walter currently serves as Chair of the Governor’s Task Force on Race and Detention; Board Member of the Iowa Empowerment Board; Member of the League of Iowa Human Rights Agencies; Member of the National Association of Human Rights Workers; and co-organizer of the Early Childhood Diversity Initiative. Walter received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration from Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, and is a certified Mediator and Human Rights Professional, as designated by the Iowa Mediation Service and the National Association of Human Rights Workers, a national civil rights training organization.
ROSENBERG, RALPH
Ralph Rosenberg, of Ames, is currently the Executive Director of the Iowa Civil Rights Commission. Ralph also served as the Interim Executive Director of Heartland Senior Services, a multi-service provider of adult day care, and as the Executive Director of the Coalition for Family and Children’s Services, where he helped develop statewide public education efforts on children and family issues. For 13 years, Ralph served as a State Senator (1991-1994) and a State Representative (1981-1990) from Story County, Iowa. In addition to lecturing at colleges and universities in Iowa, Ralph is a Board Member of the Emergency Homeless Shelter in Ames and is Vice-Chair of the Iowa League of Human Rights Agencies. Ralph received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from the University of Illinois and his Juris Doctorate from the Drake University Law School.
THORUP, JONATHAN
Jonathan Thorup, of Knoxville, is a Fire Prevention Inspector for the Iowa Department of Public Safety. He is a graduate of Knoxville Community High School and is currently working on his bachelor’s degree at Upper Iowa University. Jonathan serves on the Executive Board of the State Police Officer’s Council and has been a law enforcement official for over 10 years.
TYSON, MIRIAM
Miriam Tyson, of Waterloo, is a Contract and Compliance Manager for the Innovation and Commercialization Division at the Iowa Department of Economic Development. Miriam, former President of Communications Workers of America, Local 7108, served as a Senior Advisor to the Governor-Elect Culver/Lt. Governor-Elect Judge transition team. She has also served on the Hawkeye Community College Board of Trustees and the Iowa Association of Community College Trustees. Miriam is currently a Board Member of the African American Historical Museum & Cultural Center of Iowa; Chair of Waterloo Schools Scholarship Committee; and Member of the Black Hawk County NAACP. Miriam holds marketing, business and public policy degrees from Hawkeye Institute of Technology, Wartburg, and the University of Northern Iowa.
VANLO, DINH
Dinh VanLo, of Des Moines, received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Dordt College and two Masters Degrees from Drake University, the first a Master of Arts in Teaching and the second a Master of Public Administration. Dinh has been Commissioner of both the Iowa Civil Rights Commission and the Des Moines Civil Rights Commission and served as a Board Member of the Southeast Asian Resource Center in Washington D.C. He is the recipient of two Governor’s Volunteer Awards and a Certificate of Services from the United States Commission on Civil Rights. Dinh currently works at Central College as the Education Talent Search Coordinator.
WALTON, RAY
Ray Walton, a native and current resident of Indianola, joined the public sector in 2007 as the Chief Operating Officer of the Department of Administrative Services-General Services Enterprise. As Interim Director of DAS, Ray is responsible for an $80-million central administrative services agency, providing human resources, technology, accounting, purchasing, fleet, print, and building and grounds management. Before coming to DAS, Ray served on the staff of Congressman Tom Harkin and in the private sector with General Growth Properties and other real estate and management enterprises, where he was responsible for the operations, leasing, marketing, and value creation of more than 100 shopping centers across the nation. Ray is a graduate of Simpson College and a U.S. Army veteran of the Viet Nam war.
WOODERSON, STEPHEN
Stephen Wooderson, of West Des Moines, has worked in the vocational rehabilitation profession for over 25 years. He began his career as a vocational rehabilitation counselor and has served at all levels of supervision and management prior to his appointment as Administrator of Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services in 2002. Stephen is a retired Army Reserves Lieutenant Colonel who has served in numerous command and staff positions during his 20-year military career.