2025 Conference

Join us for the 5th annual 
Iowa Family Business Conference!

Thursday, November 6
10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
The River Center, Des Moines

Featuring a keynote address from the Austad's Golf family, the 2025 Iowa Family Business Conference will be a day of learning, connection and family development. Join us at the River Center in Des Moines on November 6.

Members of the UNI Family Business Center receive 5 free tickets to the conference, plus a member discount for additional tickets purchased. For all ticket types, the early bird discount runs through Aug. 31. Get your tickets now!

Hot tip: Becoming a member of the Family Business Center only costs a little bit more than one general admission ticket to this conference. Consider membership to get access to this and more events for an entire year.

‌Mary Vermeer Andringa

Mary Vermeer Andringa is Chair of the Board at Vermeer Corporation, a global industrial and agricultural equipment company headquartered in Pella, Iowa. As a second-generation leader, she’s championed continuous improvement and innovation, advancing the legacy of her father and founder, Gary Vermeer. Under her leadership—including roles as President, CEO, and COO—Vermeer has grown into a global organization with over 2,700 team members serving industries across five continents. Recognized nationally for her advocacy in manufacturing and entrepreneurship, Mary has served as Chair of the National Association of Manufacturers, a member of President Obama’s Export Council, and currently as Vice Chair of the Iowa Business Council. Mary and her husband, Dale Andringa, are proud parents and grandparents, continuing their commitment to family, community, and industry.

Jason Andringa

Jason Andringa is President and CEO at Vermeer Corporation. Prior to this, Jason served in the following previous roles at Vermeer: President & COO, President – Forage and Environmental Solutions; Vice President – Dealer Distribution and Global Accounts, Managing; Director for Europe, Middle East and Africa (based in the Netherlands); and Segment Manager – New Products and Markets in the Environmental business segment. Jason serves on the Vermeer Board of Directors and also on the Board of Advisors for Camcraft, Inc.  Jason serves on the Boards of the following associations: National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) and Iowa Business Council. Before joining Vermeer in 2005, Jason was an engineer at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Jason graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Calvin College and later completed advanced degrees including a Master of Science in Aeronautics and Astronautics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Southern California (USC Marshall School of Business). Jason and his wife Carrie live in Pella, Iowa with their three children.

‌Rob Feeney

Rob Feeney is the Chief Executive Officer and Owner of Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Atlantic Bottling Co. has the exclusive franchise and distribution rights for The Coca-Cola Company within its territory which spans Iowa and parts of Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri and Wisconsin. In addition to Coca-Cola brands, Atlantic also has distribution agreements with Monster Energy Company and BODYARMOR. Rob was recruited to Atlantic Bottling Co. to lead all aspects of the company’s territory acquisition and corresponding business integration efforts in 2016, which expanded the business 4x. Rob and team also oversee a 7mm cs/ year production facility based in Atlantic, IA which produces various aluminum can and PET packages. Prior to joining Atlantic, Rob spent a number of years in NYC as Director and Head of Operations for Garrison Investment Group ($4.2bn alternative asset management firm). Prior to Garrison, Rob was Chicago-based as a Vice President at Bank of America Merrill Lynch within their securitization team. Rob started his career in Chicago at Mercer Consulting as an analyst. Rob received a BS in Applied Mathematics from the University of Michigan. Rob and his wife Jessica live in Des Moines, Iowa with their children Claire, Avery, Owen, Connor and dog Fleetwood.

‌Matt Knight

executive director, alberta business family institute

Matt Knight is an executive leader, family business advisor, and entrepreneur with over 17 years of experience in strategy and technology consulting and family business management. Matt is an Executive Professor at the University of Alberta, teaching Managing Family Business, Strategic Consulting to Family Business, and the European Family Business Tour. He serves as the Executive Director of the Alberta Business Family Institute, responsible for leading and delivering world-class research, education, and programming to support business families and advisors. Matt has his MBA, an FEA (Family Enterprise Advisor), ACFBA (Advanced Certificate in Family Business Advising), and his ICD.D designation in corporate governance. Matt has conducted workshops and speaking engagements on AI, technology, innovation, and family business for audiences ranging from 8-person executive groups to keynotes of up to 5000 leaders across Canada, the US, and Europe.

Dave Austad

CEO, Austad's Golf

Dave has been in the golf business since the second grade when he swept the floor of the warehouse for a bottle of pop from founder and dad, Oscar Austad. Since then, Dave held almost every job imaginable at Austad's until taking over as President in 1988 and has helped steer the company through many changes over the years. Dave summarizes his career this way, "Being at Austad's is all I ever wanted to do. I've been blessed with great staff, suppliers and customers that have helped make Austad's the oldest family-owned golf chain in the United States."

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‌Ryan Austad

President and COO, austad's golf

Ryan has been playing golf since he was old enough to grip a club. "My best golf memory is playing the 'ice cream hole' with my dad when I was a kid. If I scored a 6 or better, we'd go out for a frozen treat following the round," said Austad. Ryan now has three kids of his own who are starting the game. Prior to rejoining the Austad's team in 2015, Ryan spent seven years working as a management consultant with Fortune 500 companies. "While consulting taught me a lot, the golf industry is ultimately where I belong. We believe in having fun each day while helping people reach their golfing potential. I wake up each day loving what I do."

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‌Brendan Comito

Brendan Comito is the Chief Operating Officer and co-owner of Capital City Fruit, Inc., a third-generation family-owned produce distributor headquartered in Norwalk, Iowa. Since joining the company in 1995 as Vice President of Human Resources, Brendan has played a key role in the growth and evolution of the business. Alongside his two brothers, he continues to build on the company’s long-standing commitment to quality, service, and innovation in the produce industry. A graduate of Boston College, Brendan brings both strategic vision and operational leadership to Capital City Fruit. He is a former Chair of the United Fresh Produce Association Wholesaler-Distributor Board and served on the United Fresh Produce Association Board of Directors from 2005 to 2012, including four years on the Executive Committee. In addition to his industry leadership, Brendan has been an active contributor to the Des Moines community, serving on numerous non-profit and civic boards throughout the years.

‌Dennis Passis

founder, family wealth library

Dennis Passis is the Founder of the Family Wealth Library and a former family business leader himself. When the family dynamics of wealth, rivalries, and generational disputes tore apart his own family (and business), Dennis sought to learn more about the business of families and how to help others avoid the pain that his family went through. While many people are concerned with the fiduciary and investment issues, few are concerned with managing family dynamics. Both are important.