Instructors

Elizabeth Crandon

Elizabeth Crandon

Professor, Management and Human Resource Management
Ankeny Campus
Building 8, Room 20
515.964.6323

Education:

M.A., Human Resource Management, Briar Cliff University
B.S., Management, College of Business, Iowa State University
A.A., Des Moines Area Community College

Experience:

Elizabeth spent twelve years as a Human Resources professional in manufacturing and healthcare with experience in benefits, compensation, HRIS development, performance management, recruiting/retention, and staff development. Prior to entering the HR field, Elizabeth worked in the retail setting during high school and college. Elizabeth holds both PHR and SHRM-CP certifications. 

Personal Philosophy:

Education is the one thing we often take for granted in our formative years. It is the opportunity for us to be exposed to the world outside where we live, the opportunity to research, read, explore everything around us, and discover what it is in this huge world we want to specialize in. Take advantage of the opportunities to find what you love. Doors open, doors close, but we are always put in the place where we are meant to be when we are meant to be there. Look for the signs, they are staring you in the face.

Favorites:

Quote - “Remember where you came from, appreciate where you are, focus on where you’re going” –Nicholas Nicastro
Movies -  “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”
Book – The children’s books “Yertle the Turtle” and  “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs”
Hobbies – Being team mom for her kids’ activities, visiting Iowa wineries, and shopping.

Neil Kokemuller

Neil Kokemuller

Professor, Marketing
Ankeny Campus
Building 8, Room 1B
515.964.6219

Education:

MBA, Iowa State University
BA, Business Administration, University of Dubuque

Work Experience:

Prior to teaching, Neil worked for several years in marketing and retail management roles. He worked for a St. Louis-based startup technology company and his retail management experience includes time leading both small businesses and large retail chain stores.

Personal Philosophy:

To succeed at anything in the long run, you have to show up ready to perform even on the days you don't feel like it.

Favorites:

Quote - “Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.” UCLA basketball Coach John Wooden
Book - As a kid, Neil also enjoyed a series of  sports books from author Matthew Christopher.
Movie - The Natural, a 1984 baseball flick starring Robert Redford as protagonist Roy Hobbs.
Hobbies - Playing and watching sports, and most importantly spending time with his family. 

Ann Gadbury

Ann Gadbury

Professor
Ankeny Campus
Building 8, Room 20
515.964.6890

Position:

Professor, Fashion/Design

Education:

MBA, (Marketing Emphasis) Iowa State University
BS, Apparel Merchandising, Design and Production, Iowa State University
AAS, Fashion Design and Marketing, Des Moines Area Community College

Work Experience:

Prior to teaching Ann worked as a manager with a small Des Moines based apparel graphic design company. Later, she worked as a retail manager with a large Omaha based retail store. She has also spent countless hours as a small business owner working to make her company Minnow Clothing Company a success.

Personal Philosophy:

Be yourself and find your true passion. In today's society we are often influenced to conform. Making it scary to be unique and follow our dreams. However, it is when we find our true passion in life and we tap into that drive that we really become successful. Follow your heart and love what you do and who you are. As Stephen Covey says “It comes from within”.

Favorites:

Quote - “Give a girl the right shoes and she can conquer the world.” - Bette Midler
Book - Confessions of a Shopaholic series by Sophie Kinsella
Movie - Fried Green Tomatoes and The Devil Wears Prada
Hobbies - Sewing, drawing, skiing and shopping!

Alecia Mintle

Alecia Mintle

Professor
Ankeny Campus
Building 8, Room 20
515.964.6227

Position:

Professor, Fashion/Design Program

Education:

MBA, Southern New Hampshire University​
Bachelor of Science: Fashion Merchandising with a Minor in Business, Iowa State University

Work Experience:​

​Prior to teaching, Alecia worked for nationally-recognized specialty retailer as a Store Manager for almost 15 years and was able to connect with the DMACC team through a 5 –year partnership between her store and the Fashion Department at DMACC. Through this experience, she found herself enjoying the classroom setting and building relationships with the students she met through the program.

Personal Philosophy:

Life is too short to not enjoy what you do, find your passion!

Favorites:

Quote - “Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right.” - Henry Ford “Sometimes the hardest thing and the right thing are the same.” The Fray ​
Book -I’m not good with favorites but I love to read and so do my boys! A Tale of Two Cities is a longtime favorite and I’ll admit that I love the Harry Potter series, which I can’t wait to read to my boys when they get older! A couple of favorites to read to my boys include Giraffes Can’t Dance, Tumford the Terrible, and All the Awake Animals.​
Movie - Mary Poppins & Love Actually​
Hobbies - Working out, shopping, reading and spending time with my friends and family.​