Staff Members

​Rick Sanders

President and Director of ISU Research Park

The Iowa State University Research Park has seen tremendous growth in Rick’s tenure as President and Director. Today the Park is the professional home for more than 130 companies, 2,500 employees and 400 student interns on our growing campus of 20 buildings on 550 acres.

Sanders has an extensive professional background that includes working in local government, association management, business development and higher education.  He brings a solution-oriented view to the teams he serves.

Rick and his wife Calli have lived in Ames since 2003 after stops in Alabama, Montana and Maine.  They are the proud parents of 3 adult children and one grandchild. Together, they enjoy traveling, hiking, ISU sporting events and quiet time on the deck.

Contact: rsanders@iastate.edu

Cell: (515) 708-0158

Alison Doyle

Associate Director of ISU Research Park

Alison joined the Iowa State University Research Park in 2008 after spending ten years working in advertising agencies and start-up companies. She leads the ISU Research Park’s marketing, communications, public relations, events, and community-building efforts. She also serves as a liaison for the ISU Research Park companies as they look to build and strengthen relationships with ISU.

A proud ISU graduate, she returned to Ames after previously living in Missouri, Vermont, California, Washington, Germany, and England. She enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, riding her bike, teaching and practicing yoga, and attending sporting events.

Contact: adoyle@iastate.edu

Stacy Dreyer

Associate Director of Corporate Engagement

Stacy is the Associate Director of Corporate Engagement at the ISU Research Park. She previously served as the Associate State Director of America’s SBDC Iowa as a member of the leadership team of a statewide organization that assists entrepreneurs through every phase of their journey. Her primary areas of leadership were marketing and outreach, federal and grant reporting, and project management.

She has a passion for small business development and community involvement, serving on many non-profit and business organization executive boards throughout the Ames community.

Contact: sdreyer@iastate.edu

Michele Farnham

Manager of Facilities Services

Michele started working at the Iowa State University Research Park in 1995. She manages the physical operations of the landscaped grounds, parking lots and buildings, including maintenance, custodial and grounds personnel. She is also the primary communication liaison between tenants and the ISU Research Park, helping determine facility and service needs for all.

Michele has seen the ISU Research Park grow from two buildings to the current expansion. She is excited to see the continued growth as the park reaches new heights.

When she’s not at work, Michele enjoys being active. She also enjoys traveling, reading, spending time with family and friends, and cheering on the Iowa State Cyclones.

 Contact: mfarnham@iastate.edu

 

​Kyle Martin

Operations Manager

Kyle recently joined the Iowa State University Research Park as Operations Manager. He is responsible for overseeing the development & operation of all tenant spaces through collaborative interaction with contractors, engineers, and vendors to meet the growing needs of The Park.

He is a proud Ames native and ISU alumni with experience in operations, procurement, property management, contracting, and project management. Kyle enjoys golfing, spending time with his wife and newborn daughter, and cheering on the Iowa State Cyclones.

Contact: kmartin5@iastate.edu

​Marty Noe

Maintenance Technician

Marty Noe started with the ISURP in fall of 2020 as the Building Services Maintenance Technician. Marty served 12 years in the National Guard. His service in the military has equipped him for his position at the Research Park. Marty’s background is in manufacturing and maintenance.

When Marty is not at the Research Park, he spends time with his kids and perfecting his craft woodworking in Gilbert, Iowa.

Contact: mnoe@iastate.edu

Rebecca Williams

Office Manager

The majority of Becky’s working career has been spent in executive support roles in a variety of industries; Insurance, Agriculture, and City and State Education. Becky started at Iowa State in 2000 at the College of Veterinarian Medicine. She also worked at the Ames Community School District for 9 years. In 2013 she returned to Iowa State in the President’s office and transitioned over to EDIR which led her to her current role with the Research Park in 2019.

Growing up in South Dakota and having lived in Minnesota, Illinois and Kansas, Becky and her husband Shane have lived in Ames since 2000.  They have 2 adult children and 1 grandchild. They love spending time with family and friends and being at their cabin in Northern Minnesota.

Contact: becky@iastate.edu 

Heather Bray

Corporate Engagement Specialist

Heather joined the Iowa State University Research Park in July of 2023. She is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh and, over the years, has gained experience through her work in office management and volunteering for many school and community organizations. She has a strong interest in helping others and developing programs that benefit the community. She looks forward to the opportunities and experiences that will be provided through her employment with the Iowa State University Research Park.

Heather and her family moved to Ames in 2009, and they quickly became Cyclone fans. Throughout the years of raising her two children, they’ve especially enjoyed Saturday football games. She is also an avid supporter of Ames High Little Cyclones athletics and activities.

Hobbies for Heather include attending live music events, volunteering, and spending time with family and friends. 

Contact: hbray@iastate.edu 

Morganne Dennis

Adminstrative Assistant

Morganne is an ISU alumni and Iowa native. She has spent fifteen years in the food service industry in various leadership roles and is excited to provide administration support while exploring opportunities and building connections around the Research Park.

Morganne currently lives in Ames with her husband and poodle. Her hobbies include reading, writing, and cooking for friends. She also enjoys attending barre classes at Ames Fitness Center.

Contact: mndooley@iastate.edu

Kiley Allan

Communications and Marketing Intern

Kiley Allan grew up on a small, purebred farrow-to-finish and cow/calf operation in Le Mars, IA. There she developed a passion for the communication and marketing of the livestock industry, which has led her to study Agricultural Communication and Animal Science at Iowa State University. Kiley enjoys her time on campus growing personally and professionally, as she participates in Collegiate Cattlemen, Swine Production Advocates (SPA), National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA), and Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow (ACT). She enjoys spending her free time with friends and family relaxing on the lake, watching sports, listening to music, or hanging around the barn.

Contact: kallan@iastate.edu

Breanna Selsor

Communications and Marketing Intern

Breanna is a junior in Agricultural Communications and International Agriculture. She grew up in Osceola, Iowa, and is involved in the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) club and competitive team, Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow, and Sigma Alpha Professional Sorority. In her free time, Breanna enjoys reading, taking pictures, and traveling.

Breanna is excited about joining the Research Park and hopes to contribute her skills and knowledge to the team. She looks forward to building relationships and diversifying her skillset.

Contact: brselsor@iastate.edu

Elaina Rosonke

Communications and Marketing Intern

Elaina grew up in New Hampton, Iowa, a small town in the state’s northeast corner. Her background working for a small business grew her love for creativity in Marketing. Elaina is a sophomore at Iowa State University, majoring in Marketing with a minor in Public Relations and earning her Professional Sales Certificate. She strives to be involved on campus and serves as the Sales Club treasurer and the assistant house manager of her sorority, Chi Omega. She is a member of various other campus clubs and loves including her friends in her daily activities. In her free time, Elaina enjoys playing on various intramural teams, hanging out with friends and family, and cooking and baking.

Avery Smith

Communications and Marketing Intern

Avery is a second-year student at Iowa State University who grew up in Winnebago County, Iowa. She is pursuing a degree in marketing with a minor in event management. Avery joins the Research Park team with prior experience in marketing through her internship this past summer and her involvement at ISU. On campus, Avery is the Vice President of the AfterDark executive team and is a member of the Hockey Cheerleading Club.
In her free time, Avery enjoys reading, all things music, playing pickleball, and being with her family and friends. She is looking forward to continuing to expand on her experiences and connections at the Research Park.

 

Lauren Anderson

Graphic Design Intern

Lauren is a junior studying Graphic Design at Iowa State University. She is involved in the honors program and orientation at Iowa State. Lauren is originally from Ames, and has been a Cyclone fan all her life. She enjoys photography, trying new foods, and playing tennis in her free time.

Lauren is excited to develop relationships with staff and contribute to design collateral at the Research Park.

Contact: laurand@iastate.edu

Lorelai O’Hara

Graphic Design Intern

Lorelai is a senior majoring in Interior Design at Iowa State University. She has gained a passion for graphic design and marketing through her past internships at organizations in her hometown such as the Des Moines Arts Festival and the Greater Des Moines Partnership. She hopes to combine her creative passions to design immersive environments that focus on brand storytelling. In her free time, she enjoys baking, thrifting, traveling, and exploring new creative outlets. She is excited to bring her skills in branding and design to the Research Park and to continue to diversify her skillset and network.

Contact: lorelaio@iastate.edu