The Iowa Business Council has elected its 2007 leadership. Max A. Phillips, President of Qwest – Iowa and Donna Katen-Bahensky, Senior Associate Vice President for Medical Affairs and CEO of the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, will continue to serve as the organization’s Chair and Vice Chair, respectively. John K. Sorensen, President of the Iowa Bankers Association, will remain in his position as treasurer. Council members re-elected the leadership for another year at its 21st Annual Business Meeting held January 29 in Des Moines.

Iowa Business Council members include the top executives of 20 of Iowa’s largest employers, the three Regent university presidents, and Iowa’s largest banking association. The purpose of the Council is to focus the personal commitment of its members in active leadership roles on major initiatives that promise to enhance the economic vitality of Iowa.

Phillips has served as president of Qwest – Iowa operations since 2000. His nearly  30-year career with the company includes experience in sales, marketing, regulatory affairs,  and public policy. Phillips serves on the board of the Greater Des Moines Partnership and is a former president of the Woodward-Granger School System Board of Directors. In 2005, Phillips was appointed by former Gov. Tom Vilsack to be a member of the state Board of Education. Phillips is also a member of the Wells Fargo Community Board and has worked on numerous economic development and education reform initiatives at the state level.

Katen-Bahensky came to University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics as director and CEO in 2002. She is also a professor in the University of Iowa Department of Health Management and Policy in the College of Public Health. Katen-Bahensky is active in many professional organizations, including the University Health System Consortium, the American Hospital Association, and the Council of Teaching Hospitals. She also serves in leadership capacities for several civic organizations. Prior to coming to Iowa, Katen-Bahensky held positions in upper management with the Medical College of Virginia Hospitals and Clinics, and the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

Sorensen was named president and CEO of Iowa Bankers Association in 1997 after having joined the organization in 1986. He has held many leadership positions with the American Bankers Association, is the chairman of the Graduate School of Banking in Madison, Wis., serves on the boards of various state economic development programs, and is actively engaged in numerous community activities. The Iowa Bankers Association is the largest state banking association in the country, providing services to more than 400 financial institutions and their customers.