About Us
Kent Reed is a sales representative and branch coordinator with Nagle Signs, Inc. having been in the sign business over 15 years and spent 10 years in the custom motorcycles and aftermarket parts Industry. Kent holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in graphic design from Iowa State University and through his career has developed experience in the areas of design, project management, sales, production and operations management.
In 2016 Kent was in a serious motorcycle accident, comatose for 1-1/2 days with skull fractures and a brain bleed. He is blessed to have survived from that incident immensely thankful for the freedom and secure lives that he and all of us have, precisely due to the military men and women of our country and the emergency service personnel that saved his life. As such he has initiated a non-profit organization called American Brawn to raise funds for US military and emergency service personnel to pay back and to pay forward the sacrifices and dedication these individuals have made for our United States of America.
Taylor is a University of Northern Iowa graduate with an Elementary and Early childhood Education major, focused in literacy. She teaches Kindergarten in Newton, Iowa and recently received an Excellence in Education Award from the Newton Chamber of Commerce. After 14 years of dance through school, Taylor has been a dance teacher at Michelle's Dance Academy in Grinnell for 6 years and assists with music/costume selection and choreography of dances. She grew up with her father and grandparents riding Harleys and often enjoyed recreational rides with them.
Jay is an experienced entrepreneur and business owner with established expertise in sales, marketing and finance. He earned a BBA from the University of Iowa and his CPA from the Iowa Board of Accountancy. He is a well-organized individual who has utilized excellent communication and leadership skills to gain the respect and confidence of clients and co-workers throughout his career. Jay currently offers services to businesses through his company Advantage Consulting. Prior to that he was co-owner, president and CEO of Medical Billing Services where he oversaw strategic planning and growth activities in the business, working with clients to assist with office IT management and effective, efficient billing of their medical operations. Earlier business endeavors included Albrecht, Ltd. where he was Owner/President providing complete business consulting (business plans, operations analysis, banking, budgets, planning and commercial loan packaging), worked with city officials at proposed development sites across the Midwest to achieve proper zoning and advised new business owners in administrative areas including personnel, payroll/accounting, finance and manufacturing. Prior to that Jay was President, CEO and CFO of Ala-Carte by Albrecht where he established and grew an international manufacturing company from initial concept and start-up phase to a nationally known brand and innovative leader in portable merchandising units in both the Food Service and Shopping Center industries. His responsibilities in growing the business from the ground up included preparing and presenting projections, financial statements and business plans to investors, banks and stockholders as well as creating sales literature and marketing strategies while managing overall operations in design, purchasing, metalworking, woodworking, paint, assembly and shipping departments. Jay created corporate marketing strategies to target market the top 50 shopping center developers, resulting in over 95% U.S. market recognition and expanded sales to overseas markets via coordination with the Iowa Department of Economic Development Export Program.
Elizabeth graduated summa cum laude from Iowa State University in 2018 with a bachelor's degree in Art and Design and where her early studies in graphic design have inspired ongoing practical experience. Upon graduation, she moved to Chicago to enroll in graduate studies at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.Two years later, she graduated with a master's degree in Modern and Contemporary Art History with a specialization in Design History, having successfully completed her thesis on the presence and treatment of design and its canonical history in the museum setting. During the summer of 2020, she was hired as a full-time cataloguer at Hindman Auctions, an art auction house in the West Loop of Chicago, where she continues to expand her knowledge of historical art and design in Hindman's Department of European Furniture and Decorative Arts.
Kevin Velovitch works at United Airlines as a manager within their International Network Planning department, specifically focusing on the future strategy of United’s international fleet. Prior to working for United, Kevin spent over five years with Accenture in both Milwaukee and Chicago. His work with Accenture included managing multi-million dollar in-store technology implementation projects for a large U.S. client.
He received his BBA in Finance and Management from the University of Iowa’s Tippie College of Business in 2012 where he received the University’s Leadership Legacy Award and was recently awarded 2019 Tippie College of Business Young Alumni of the Year. He is currently pursuing his MBA at DePaul University in an evening cohort. Kevin served five years on the Tippie College of Business’s Young Alumni Board, three of which were as the Board’s Executive Chair.
In his free time, he enjoys attending home and away Iowa football games, visiting family and friends across the U.S., and traveling internationally.
Steve Depping is Customer Service Manager for All Balls Racing Group, manufacturers of top-quality aftermarket replacement and high performance parts for motorcycles, ATVs and UTVs. His department oversees tech, warranty, dealer sales, small distributor sales and the racing sponsorship program. Prior to joining All Balls Racing Group, Steve held a similar position with MC Advantages, a company who specialized in aftermarket and high-performance parts for Harley Davidson motorcycles.
Steve is a proud Army Dad with a daughter who is a current Army Reservist. In addition, Steve and his daughter have lost two immediate family members to suicide. As a result, American Brawn is an organization that Steve has a very personal connection to.
Amanda Hammond works full-time as the Office Manager for a contractor in the Des Moines area and works as an EMT outside of normal work hours. When Amanda began her EMS career, she was a single parent attending college. She persevered through life struggles she was dealt and successfully graduated with a college degree. She is now married with 6 boys who keep her busy on top her other duties and generally full of energy, is driven to take care of others. She has over 18 years experience in the Fire and EMS Service and takes pride in what she does. This experience includes teaching EMS skills at Des Moines Area Community College, evaluating students there during practical exams, is a member of the Fire and Safety Crew at the Iowa Speedway in Newton, IA and volunteers on the Milo, IA Fire Department. While some may shy away from the challenge, Amanda she was has always been first to get involved and help however she can. She believes that there is a higher power over all of us and that situations are not always in our control. However, the cards may play out for any scene, she will go in doing her very best for the families and the patients involved.
Maddy is a University of Iowa graduate who currently works as the Content Director at Double You Marketing in Grinnell. She also serves as a committed board member of SHE Counts, a non-profit that supports and empowers girls and women in Poweshiek county. In her free time, Maddy enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters.
