CEDAR RAPIDS CURLING CLUB - Key Persons
Andrew Forman came to Cedar Rapids Curling's first Learn to Curl and has been hooked ever since! He consults on software architecture and engineering as Chief Engineer at Volant Partners. Along with his wife, son, sheep, dogs, chickens, ducks, and rabbits (so far), he lives on a small ranch located south of Iowa City.
Beth Hinson started curling after a Learn to Curl at Coral Ridge Mall in January 2020. During the day, she is a veterinarian at the Pet Health Center of Mount Vernon. She enjoys exercising, cross stitching, hardanger, and being with her husband, family, and, of course, her dogs and cat.
Cale Tesch first got interested in curling watching the 2010 Winter Olympics and attended the first Cedar Rapids Curling LTC and joined league immediately after. He has always been active in the club, having been on the Cedarspiel planning committee and league coordinator before joining the board in 2024. Cale currently works as a data analyst and fills most of his free time with curling, bowling, and golfing.
David Sibert works as a professional engineer specializing in roadway design for HR Green in Cedar Rapids, though he lives in Iowa City. He is a native of central Illinois and met his wife, who is a native of central Iowa, while studying at Iowa State. In his free time, he loves to stay active (running, biking, hiking, and playing many different sports and yard games) and travel, though their two cats would prefer they stay at home more!
Emily Nelson started curling in late 2016 and is the marketing/communications coordinator for Cedar Rapids Curling. She is a writer/editor in the communication/marketing office for the University of Iowa. She lives in Iowa City with her husband, Jake, and dog, Lyra. When she's not curling, you can find her on her bike, running, gardening, reading, or binge-watching far too much TV.
Greg Schmitt joined Cedar Rapids Curling in August 2018. His passion for curling began after a billboard in Cedar Rapids sparked his curiosity. Since he participated in a learn to curl event, he has made it a priority to dedicate time in his life to the sport.
Kari Kozak started curling in 2006 at Triangle Curling in North Carolina and has been a member of the Houston Curling Club (Houston, TX) and the Waltham Curling Club (Triumph, IL) before becoming a founding member of Cedar Rapids Curling. Kari is currently the events coordinator for Cedar Rapids Curling. When not curling, she is the director of the Engineering Library at the University of Iowa. She lives in Iowa City with her cat, Sophie. Other hobbies include reading, crocheting, hanging out with family and friends and--as someone with a meteorology degree--trying not to get too excited when severe weather occurs.
Lon Peper first learned about curling in 1996 while living in Toronto, but it wasn't until 2010 that he started curling when he lived in Greenville, S.C. He is one of the co-founding members of Cedar Rapids Curling and the first president of the club. He now serves as vice president and co-head ice tech for Cedar Rapids Curling. He is also the club's representative for the Midwest Curling Association. Lon is a Level 1 Instructor, Level 2 Official, and a Level 1 Ice Tech. He supports his curling habit as a software engineer for Ohio National Financial Services. When he's not curling, he enjoys bowling, softball and traveling (usually to another curling club for a bonspiel).
Job Titles:
- Secretary for the Cedar Rapids Curling Club Board
Lynn Benkusky started curling in the fall of 2017 in anticipation of becoming an empty nester. Lynn is the secretary for the Cedar Rapids Curling Club Board and her day job is consultant for Grant Wood AEA on the PowerSchool Support Team. She considers herself a curler, golfer, Trekkie, and of course Cyclone!
Favorite curling memory: Has to be the 2019 Arena National Curling Championships. A close second is getting to curl and bonspiel with my sister Nancy regularly.
Nate Marzen started curling in 2021 after his friend (now wife) Amber convinced him to do a learn to curl. He was hooked and joined the next league that was available. Nate's curling habit is funded by his job as an engineering strategist at BAE Systems. When he is not curling or working, Nate enjoys traveling with his wife and stepdaughter or playing videogames.
Favorite curling memory: Being on a team with Phil B., Cale, and Amber for his first bonspiel (Windy City). The first draw, he had two decent ends then either hogged or flashed every stone for the following six ends.
Phil Burian began curling in 2013 and is the 2021-2023 Cedar Rapids Curling Board president. He is an attorney in the litigation group at Simmons Perrine Moyer Bergman PLC. When not curling, he usually is spending time with family or in his shop working on his latest project.
Favorite curling memory: On-ice, realizing the value that the sport offers to persons of all capabilities while curling with US Paralympians and a mix of others with varied skill levels at CedarSpiel. Off-ice, every bonspiel at which he did not have a Saturday 8 am draw.
Steve Foster saw curling for the first time on TV during the 1992 Albertville Olympic Games. He always wanted to try it, but never took the opportunity until a CRC Learn to Curl night in January 2016. After broomstacking that night at the Stadium Club, he joined a league the next day and the rest is history. Steve is a tax accountant with Murken Thompson by day and is the treasurer for CRC. He lives in Iowa City with his wife, Kelly, and three daughters.