Our foundation is built around a collection of some of the most wonderful, passionate and committed individuals you will ever find.
President – Steve Ries 
“We had a vision that was put into action and became a dream come true”. Being parents of a child diagnosed with cancer and recently sharing a loss of this child was the inspiration to form Aiming For A Cure Foundation.
My wife Jodie and daughter Rachel and I want Ben’s legacy to live, as Ben would always think of the many children and Families at the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital during their treatments for cancer. During his visits, Ben was consumed by the staff, new Friendships and many opportunities that would make his home away from home more enjoyable during a difficult time.
With Ben’s love for the great outdoors in his hunting dogs and the many personal Friendships made it became easy to form such a great foundation that commit their time and efforts to continue the legacy of caring for the children and Families dealing with cancer at the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital.
We were blessed with calling Ben our son, and having so many caring people to volunteer their time, talents and financial support in helping children and their families with childhood cancer.
The Ries Family resides in Alburnett on an acreage with their Family business in raising hunting dogs.
Faith Family Friends
Vice President – Dave Tatman 
Wife LeAnn, daughter Anna and son Joseph all live in rural West Branch
Employed by the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital as the coordinator for the Pediatric Blood & Marrow Transplantation Program.
Hobbies include coaching youth athletic programs, hunting, gardening and a tree farm.
David considers himself very fortunate to be able to raise money for this incredible cause with an incredible group of volunteers, while also being able to see the benefits of those efforts on a daily basis.
Treasurer – Jerry Vanni 
Jerry is the Vice President of MidWestOne Bank in Iowa City.
Member-at-Large - Lisa Baum 
Lisa Baum is development director for Jazz 88.3 KCCK, public radio at Kirkwood Community College. As former director of Children’s Miracle Network at University of Iowa Children’s Hospital, Lisa was included in the early organizational meetings of Aiming for a Cure. “I continue to delight in the growth of Aiming for a Cure and it’s unique support of families with children fighting cancer. It takes hearts and hands to successfully provide a healing environment. Ben Ries took the challenge of a brain tumor in stride. His bravery and faith are ever present as we create events to benefit those who are facing cancer.”
Member-at-Large – Wade Wamre 
Wade Wamre is employed at Hall and Hall Engineers in Hiawatha, Iowa as a Professional Land Surveyor. He has been involved with Aiming For A Cure Foundation since the beginning. Steve asked him to become involved with a plan he had to raise awareness and money for children with cancer, and Wade greatly accepted the challenge to help such a great cause. Wade enjoys spending his time with his boys hunting, fishing and doing hunting trials with his dogs.
Wade and his wife Marcy have two boys, Hunter and Gunnar.
Member-at-Large – Ryan Giannini 
Ryan has been with sponsor, Highland Hideaway Hunting, since they opened in 2000, and has managed the business for the last 3 years. He’s a graduate from Kirkwood Community College with an A.A.S. degree in Industrial Maintenance Technology.
“My love of hunting comes from my grandpa. Most days you will find me conducting business, or guiding hunts with my German shorthairs. In my free time you will find me wondering through the woods or a prairie, doing what I love most, hunting. Other days I’ll be working on a project at home. For one month out of the year you will find me up in mountainous terrain of Alaska guiding and packing out large game animals for hunters all over the world.”
“My involvement with Aiming for a cure started with my good friend Steve Ries. When the idea started floating around about such a great event for such a great cause I was nothing but excited. As my relationship with Ben, son of Steve Ries grew it made me realize how blessed we all are with life. It also made me realize what this cause is all about. Finding a way to cope with our disabilities is something that some of us go through life without doing. My friend Ben Ries was only a boy just starting life and was helping and showing all of us how to do it. In the last 4 years of knowing Steve and his family I have grown as a person and think everyday of my good friend Ben. This is why I’m so proud of being involved with of Aiming for a cure!”
Member-at-Large – Michelle Altmaier
Michelle Altmaier is the director of Children’s Miracle Network at the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital.
Michelle is thankful to have met such a wonderful group of caring individuals who give of their time to support young cancer patients and their families. This is a fabulous event that brings out the best in people and she is thrilled to be involved.
