Eric W. Emmert

BA Political Science ’96
Tempe, Ariz.

Despite a schedule that includes countless civic and volunteer commitments and a career as vice president of one of the nation’s leading public affairs firms, Eric W. Emmert places a high priority on working to connect ISU alumni in the Phoenix area to the university and to each other through his work as president of the ISU Alumni Association Club of Phoenix.

The club is one of the nation’s largest and most active. Last September, Emmert co-hosted the single largest Cyclone gamewatch ever, with more than 600 fans gathering in Phoenix to watch Iowa State defeat the University of Iowa in football. In addition, the club has recently expanded its outreach efforts toward other Big 12 schools and begun coordinating with alumni leaders from those universities to host new events that even further connect new friends in the Phoenix area. Emmert’s nominators all agree: His leadership has been key to the club’s high level of energy and participation.

In addition to his role as club president, Emmert serves as the chair of the transportation committee for the Tempe Chamber of Commerce and as a board member for the Tempe Union High School Education Foundation. He is president of his homeowners association and was a volunteer debate coach at Desert Vista High School for four years, helping the team win a state championship in 2004.

Emmert, who became vice president of Dorn Policy Group in 2005, has had a successful career in lobbying and public affairs. His accomplishments include: legislation expanding Iowa’s Enterprise Zone Program, completion of Highway 20 across the state of Iowa, managing the successful ballot campaign to construct the $96 million Verizon Wireless Center in Manchester, N.H., helping craft the $16.8 billion transportation plan for the Phoenix metropolitan area, and creating a first-of-its-kind Asset Assistance Program for businesses in Phoenix that was featured by USA Today.

Emmert is an annual member of the ISU Alumni Association.