Foundation Board of Directors

Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation Board of Directors and Officers

The members of the Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation Board of Directors represent various oral health stakeholders. The Board meets three times per year and has an annual planning retreat. Board members serve one-year terms and are eligible to be elected for nine terms.

Current Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation Board of Directors and Officers include:

Matt Mendenhall, Ph.D. Chair Matt Mendenhall, Ph.D., is the CEO of RDA Authority. Matt is a graduate of Cornell College, has a MSW degree from St. Ambrose University and a Ph.D. from the Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences at Case Western Reserve University.

Ro Crosbie Vice Chair Ro Crosbie is President of Tero International. Ms. Crosbie graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Certificate in Management.

Jeff Russell Foundation President Jeff Russell is the President & CEO of Delta Dental of Iowa. Jeff received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Drake University.  Jeff has been with Delta Dental of Iowa since 2013.

Jeffrey Chaffin, DDS, MPH, MBA, MHA Board Member Jeffrey Chaffin, DDS, MPH, MBA, MHA, is the Dental Director at Delta Dental of Iowa. He graduated from University of Tampa and received his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Nebraska, MPH from the University of Michigan, MBA from The University of Texas at San Antonio, and MHA from Baylor University.

Dan Caplan, DDS, PhD Board Member Dr. Caplan is the department head for the Department of Preventive & Community Dentistry at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry. Dr. Caplan received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Virginia, Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Iowa, General Practice Residency certificate from VA Medical Center in Minneapolis, and PhD. From the University of North Carolina.

Howard Cowen, DDS, MS Board Member Howard Cowen, DDS, MS is the Director of the Geriatric & Special Needs Program and Director, Geriatric Fellowship Program at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry. Dr. Cowen received his Doctor of Dental Surgery and his Masters in Public Health Dentistry from the University of Iowa.

Lynn Curry, DDS Board Member Lynn Curry, DDS is a dentist from Carroll, Iowa. He received his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Iowa. He served on the Board of Directors for Delta Dental of Iowa from 1997 to 2009 and as an Advisory Director until 2010.

Nolden Gentry Board Member Nolden Gentry is Principal of Brick Gentry, P.C. in West Des Moines. He received his Bachelor of Science and Juris Doctor from the University of Iowa. Nolden is past Chair of the Foundation and Delta Dental of Iowa.

Ken Jones, DDS Board Member Ken Jones, DDS is the Dental Director for River Hills Community Health Center in Ottumwa, Iowa. He earned his undergraduate degree from Luther College. He received his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Iowa.

J. Scott Raecker Board Member Mr. Raecker is the Executive Director for The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center at Drake University. Mr. Raecker received certification as a Character Development Specialist and Corporate Ethics Trainer from Josephson Institute of Ethics and Bachelor of Arts degree from Grinnell College.

Jan Reinicke Board Member Jan Reinicke is currently retired from the Iowa State Education Association, where she served as Executive Director. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Iowa and her Master of Arts degree from the University of Cincinnati.

Tracy Rodgers, RDH Board Member Tracy Rodgers is an executive officer at the Iowa Department of Public Health in Des Moines.  Ms. Rodgers is a graduate of the University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Science degree and Certificate in Public Health.

Jennifer Vermeer Board Member Jennifer Vermeer is President and CEO of the University of Iowa Health Alliance – Des Moines and Assistant VP for Health Policy and Population Health University of Iowa Health Care.  Ms. Vermeer received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Central College, Pella, Master of Public Administration from the University of Arizona and Masters of Health Care Delivery Science from Dartmouth College, NH.

Joel Wulf Board Member Joel Wulf is the Assistant Director at the Iowa Department on Aging. He holds a Masters of Social Work from the University of Iowa. He also serves as adjunct faculty with the University of Iowa School of Social Work.

Suzanne Heckenlaible Executive Director Suzanne Heckenlaible is Vice President Public Affairs of Delta Dental of Iowa. Suzanne has a Bachelor's degree from Augustana College (Rock Island, IL) and Masters in Public Administration from Drake University. She has been with Delta Dental of Iowa since 2006.

Sherry Perkins Foundation Treasurer / Secretary Sherry Perkins is Vice President Finance and Controller of Delta Dental of Iowa. Sherry holds a Bachelor's degree from the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma and is a Certified Public Accountant. Sherry joined Delta Dental of Iowa in 2002.