Boeckman, Brashears lead BVU Community Campaign

Both co-chairs have incredibly close ties to Buena Vista University. A kickoff event is slated for Oct. 16 at Cru5h Dining in Siebens Forum.

Buena Vista University introduces Chris Boeckman and Jared Brashears as the co-chairs for its 2019-2020 Community Campaign.

Both men have incredibly close ties to the University. Boeckman, the “Voice of the Beavers” for Storm Lake Radio since 1991, is the father of a BVU alumna. Brashears, whose local family ties and commitments stretch back generations, is the husband of a BVU graduate.

Chris Boeckman, a native of Jordan, Minn., came to Storm Lake 28 years ago to serve as sports director at KAYL, a role that soon grew to include stations KKIA and KBVU. He’s made Storm Lake his home, a community he enjoys with wife Kandi, part-owner of Cutting Edge Design Salon, and their children Danika, Shelby (2018 BVU graduate), Beau, Brody, and Bobby.

Boeckman, a board member of the Storm Lake Little League and a member of the Tornado Booster Club, serves on the BVU Athletics Hall of Fame selection committee. In his time around campus, he has covered BVU athletic contests throughout the Midwest and hosted BVTV’s foray into “Northwest Iowa Quiz Bowl” last spring.

“In my position at Storm Lake Radio, I have developed some great relationships with members of the athletics staff and faculty through the years,” Boeckman says. “And with my daughter being an alum, I feel privileged to help BVU in any way I can.”

“I have seen firsthand how much the area benefits from BVU, and how much BVU benefits from our area.”

Jared Brashears

Jared Brashears comes from a long line of Buena Vista County ties, primarily through families that hail from Storm Lake and Alta, respectively. The Storm Lake native serves as a farm/commercial sales executive for Central Insurance at Central Bank.

Jared’s wife, Melanie Brashears, a counselor at Storm Lake Elementary School, earned her bachelor’s and her master’s degrees from BVU.

“I have seen firsthand how much the area benefits from BVU, and how much BVU benefits from our area,” says Brashears, who also serves with Stars Mentoring and the Storm Lake Rotary Club, where he was president one year ago. “I met Melanie when she was a senior at BVU, and I saw how the University impacted her. Then, after we married, she went back to graduate school to earn her master’s at BVU and continued to pursue her dream of being a counselor. Our family wouldn’t be where it is today without BVU. Helping to lead the Community Campaign this year is one small way in which I can show my appreciation and give back to our University.”

Boeckman and Brashears will receive great assistance from a number of community members who have joined their teams in conducting the Community Campaign. Each leader shared their praise and gratitude for those willing to step forward to assist.

Those joining the Boeckman BVU Community Campaign team include: Adam Friedrichsen ‘08, of  Citizens 1st National Bank; Melissa Green, of Sports Rehab & Professional Therapy Associates; Jennifer Hustedt ‘09, of Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home, and Buoys Bar & Grill and Smokin’ Hereford; Julie Mooney, of Citizens 1st National Bank; Todd Nicholson, of Nicholson Physical Therapy; and Dan Richardson ‘79, of Elements by K Sorbe.

Brashears’ Community Campaign team consists of: Matt Adams, of Security Trust & Savings Bank; Steve Brashears, of Real Estate Specialists; Matt Brostad ‘04, of Buena Vista County; Nick Brown, of Nick Brown Law Firm; Elissa Doebel ‘11, of Buena Vista Regional Medical Center; and Nancy Jensen, of Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home, and Buoys Bar & Grill and Smokin’ Hereford.

Phone volunteers are Clark Fort, of Century 21 The Professional Group and Stille Pierce & Pertzborn; and Joshua Newhouse ‘00, of Thrivent Financial.

The BVU Community Campaign, which has a goal of $135,000 this year, kicks off on Wednesday, Oct. 16, at 5 p.m. with a Business After Hours celebration at Cru5H Dining in Siebens Forum. The event is open to the public and free to attend. Appetizers and refreshments will be served.

For additional information about BVU’s 2019-20 Community Campaign, contact Barbara Aiona, annual giving campaigns officer, at 712.749.2101 or aionab@bvu.edu.

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