Ashley Bennum

President, president@iowaatheists.org

I’ve lived in central Iowa my entire life, but currently Ankeny is my home base. I joined the IAF group a few years ago, primarily to be part of shifting the negative stigma associated with “Atheism”, and connecting with secular people in my community. I’ve forged a lot of great relationships through IAF, and I enjoy the opportunities to engage in different activities through the group. I don’t have any personal traumatizing religious experiences, in fact I grew up surrounded and loved by family and friends all practicing various forms of the Abrahamic religions. Like most kids with religious parents, my indoctrination started as a young child, being forced to attend Sunday school and sit quietly through church services. Even then, I was skeptical of the bizarre bible stories, however, it wasn’t until college where I gained more perspective, studying the various world religions, including my own home grown Christian beliefs, that really solidified my deeply held skepticism towards all supernatural deities. I learned I was an Atheist, and I started to understand how important it is for others to give more value to science based research and critical thinking. It’s important to bring awareness to the damage these fundamentalist religious groups are doing to societies as they make enemies out of people who contrast with their values, and they seek power to gain control over people and the rules that govern them.

Bob Cook

Vice-President, secretary@iowaatheists.org

I was raised a good Presbyterian on a farm in Ottumwa, Iowa. I am a lifelong skeptic ever since ninth grade when I discovered that ancient aliens aren’t real and Erich von Däniken is a god damned liar. I have been an atheist since my college days in the early eighties. I shed the last of my religious belief after taking a philosophy class from a professor who was really good at his job. (It turns out that atheism makes way more sense than an omnipotent, loving god who drowns the world in a fit of pique.)

I work in medical imaging at a local hospital. I enjoy science fiction conventions, growing my own tomatoes and peppers, and I make a mean salsa.

Howard Hoy

Treasurer, treasurer@iowaatheists.org

I am originally from Waterloo IA, a third generation atheist. After obtaining two degrees from Northern Iowa, my first career was as a railroader. When that went South in 1980, I went to work for Internal Revenue Service, retiring from there in 2007. I have a son and granddaughter in Clear Lake. In retirement I occupy my time with bicycling, model railroading, politics, and being doorkeeper for three cats. I particularly enjoy IAF's weekly Meet Ups.

Corey Gillespie

Secretary, secretary@iowaatheists.org

Corey Gillespie

Jena Luksetich

Board Director At-Large, atlarge2@iowaatheists.org

I was born and raised in Iowa. I lived in San Francisco for ten years, and Chicago for two before making my way back to Iowa to raise my kids with the support of family. I grew up Catholic and remember questioning many stories in catechism class as early as elementary school. I never had any personal negative experiences with religion, but it was easy for me to separate myself from a power structure that is too often used to manipulate and harm vulnerable people. The value I have worked to instill in my kids is, “Do good and be kind to other humans because it is the right thing to do, not because you think will be rewarded or out of fear of punishment.

Chris Freeman

Board Director At-Large, atlarge1@iowaatheists.org

I grew up in North Carolina, but attended college in Iowa and just sorta forgot to leave. I grew up around but not steeped in religion, and I hope I am providing my own kids a similar experience. Concerning belief, my priorities are to help ensure we and all of our descendants feel that non-belief is a healthy and valid choice, and that we are free to choose our own religious beliefs. In my free time, I enjoy photography, occasional juggling, and getting outside.

Bob Cook

Activism Chair, activism@iowaatheists.org

I was raised a good Presbyterian on a farm in Ottumwa, Iowa. I am a lifelong skeptic ever since ninth grade when I discovered that ancient aliens aren’t real and Erich von Däniken is a god damned liar. I have been an atheist since my college days in the early eighties. I shed the last of my religious belief after taking a philosophy class from a professor who was really good at his job. (It turns out that atheism makes way more sense than an omnipotent, loving god who drowns the world in a fit of pique.)

I work in medical imaging at a local hospital. I enjoy science fiction conventions, growing my own tomatoes and peppers, and I make a mean salsa.

Kurt Nicholson

Social Chair, social@iowaatheists.org

You can say, I love sports, a die hard Cubbies fan, Dallas Cowboys fan and a huge Iowa state Cyclone fan. Music festivals and concerts are my addiction. Hardly a month goes by that I don't see live music at least once a month. I am also a outdoorsman. Hiking, walking, running 5k's....Hikes at Ledges state park and the Neil Smith wildlife refuse are my two favorite hiking spots in Central Iowa.

Zach Aletheia

Information Technology Chair, it@iowaaatheists.org

Vacant

Education Chair, education@iowaatheists.org

Community Service Chair - Vacant

Community Service Chair, communityservice@iowaatheists.org

Nominations and Elections Chair - Vacant

election@iowaatheists.org