Vital Signs 2025

NDIA’s Vital Signs 2025 Survey is closing soon. Please take 15 minutes to take this survey! As a member of NDIA, this survey is crafted to find out critical information about how current policy shapes your work and the work of your company. This information helps us inform our congressional leaders about how their decisions and their votes affect you and your company.

Your responses will be used to voice the challenges, issues, and

successes impacting the health and resiliency of our defense industrial base and we will share this information in our next Vital Signs report.

Getting Ready For The 2025 Symposium

Thank you to everyone who attended this year's Midwest Government Contracting Symposium! We are grateful to everyone who assisted in making this event successful.

So, please continue your support by marking your Calendars for next year's event and let us know how you’d like to get involved. Our 2025 Midwest Government Contracting Symposium will be on Tuesday, May 20th and Wednesday, May 21st, 2025, at the Vibrant Arena in Moline, IL! We will send you more information as it becomes available.

Congratulations, Future Leaders!

It is our honor to highlight the following Iowa-Illinois NDIA Chapter scholarship recipients for their outstanding grades, commitments, and leadership abilities. We know their excellence will take them far, and we are thrilled to have their hard work and academic skills represent our Chapter.

Ben Goudy is a graduate of Jefferson High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. While in school, Ben kept himself busy with several organizations and activities, including marching band, jazz band, show choir, choir, golf, tennis, and Boy Scouts. He also did a considerable amount of volunteer work, devoting many hours to the Central Furniture Rescue.

Since the age of six, Ben has been an active member of Boy Scouts. After many years of hard work and dedication to the organization, he was named an Eagle Scout last November. 

Ben plans on attending the University of Iowa in the fall. He hopes to later attend law school and pursue a career in accounting. Congratulations to Ben for all he has achieved and will achieve. 

Jenna Hentzel is a graduate of Burlington Community High School. Throughout high school, Jenna participated in many activities, most significantly soccer, which she has been playing for most of her life. She has also volunteered at a youth soccer team during the summer and helps with youth practices. 

Off the field, she also participated in many clubs and organizations, including The National Honors Society, Student Counsel, and Future Problem Solvers. On top of her already busy schedule, she worked two jobs as well, at the Standard of Beaverdale and Pizza Ranch.

Jenna plans on attending Iowa State University, where she will pursue a degree in animal science with a minor in mathematics. She hopes to one day secure a career in the zoology field. Congratulations, Jenna, on these amazing achievements. 

Emily Ritze is a graduate of Linn-Mar High School in Marion, IA. Throughout her high school career, she became involved in numerous organizations, such as 4H, FFA, Youth Council, and Lion Leaders. She is also a proud member of the National Honors Society. 

She is very dedicated to her work in FFA and 4H, serving as President to both groups. She serves as a Student Ambassador to new students looking to get into agriculture. She was also chosen to serve on the Career Technical Advisory Committee, as well as participating in the World Food Prize Youth Institute.  

Emily plans on attending Iowa State University, with the hope of working as a veterinarian in the near future. Congratulations, Emily, on these impressive accomplishments and many more to come.

Greta Hacker is a graduate of Rock Falls Township High School. During the past four years, Greta has been involved in a number of organizations, such as Student Council and The National Honor Society. She was also an active member in the Junior Optimist Club and Spanish Club, and had the honor of attending and participating in the American Legion Auxiliary Illini Girls State. 

Outside of these activities, she was an avid science student. With a 4.178 GPA and a 16th place class ranking. She has been very dedicated to her coursework and her future in the science field.

Greta will be attending the University of Iowa, where she plans on majoring in kinesiology on the pre-physical therapy track. She hopes to eventually get her doctorate in physical therapy. Congratulations, Greta, on your achievements, and good luck on your future endeavors. 

THANK YOU JOHN!

We would like to thank John Masengarb for all the hard work he has put towards Our Iowa-Illinois NDIA Chapter!

John served on our Chapter NDIA board for over twenty years. We truly appreciate his dedication and guidance for our Chapter over these past two decades. He has been a valuable part of our team and an esteemed member of our community.

Thank you, John. We will miss you dearly, but we wish you all the best in your other pursuits!