Lesley Lackore
Lesley Lackore has been a vital part of Iowa State University since September 1999 and was recently promoted to Program Specialist IV. She was recently honored for her 25 years of continuous service, 24 of them in Procurement Services, at the 90th Annual Iowa State University 25-Year Club banquet.
Lesley's dedication has earned her several accolades, including the Iowa State Procurement Services Key Contributor Award (2023), the Institute of Commercial Payments (IOCP) Outstanding Contributor of the Year (2022), and the IOCP Community Champion Award (2016).
Her professional affiliations include the IOCP, where she has been a member since 2006 and serves on the Higher Education Advisory Team since 2010, chairing it from 2013 to 2019. Lesley holds the Certified Procurement Card Professional certification from the IOCP. She has been a member of the National Association of Educational Procurement (NAEP) since joining Procurement Services in 2000.
Beyond her professional life serving cardholders on campus, Lesley is a frequent speaker and facilitator at various industry meetings and has been published in the Educational Procurement Journal of the NAEP. She has a rich musical background, singing with the Iowa State Singers during her student years, and performing in prestigious venues like Carnegie Hall and the Moscow Conservatory. A fun fact: Barry Manilow once bumped into her while performing onstage at Hilton Coliseum.
Lesley is also an avid traveler, having visited numerous European countries, and is the proud caretaker of five spoiled housecats.
Lesley Lackore's adventure at Iowa State highlights her dedication, talent, and passion, making a lasting impact on the university and community.
Shari Russell
Shari Russell has been a dedicated member of our department for an impressive 35 years. Since joining the card program at its inception in 1998, Shari has played a pivotal role in its growth, helping it expand to over 5,000 cards. Her commitment to excellence is further demonstrated by her active participation as a member of the Procurement Services Key Contributor Award committee and as one of the founding members of the department’s Events Committee.
Shari’s contributions have not gone unnoticed. She is a proud recipient of the Procurement Services Team Player Award, a testament to her collaborative spirit and dedication to the team’s success. Her professional development is equally commendable, having attended the Professional Development Group (PDG) Cards & Payments on Campus Conference annually since 2014, ensuring she stays at the forefront of industry trends and best practices. Additionally, Shari is an affiliate member/subscriber of the Institute of Commercial Payments (IOCP).
Beyond her professional achievements, Shari is a proud mother of three and grandmother to three adorable grandchildren. She cherishes spending time with her family and friends, visiting National Parks, watching Cyclone sports, reading, exploring her ancestry, and indulging in crafting and crocheting.
Shari’s unwavering dedication and multifaceted interests make her an invaluable asset to our department and a cherished member of our community. We are grateful for her continued contributions and look forward to many more years of her leadership and expertise.
Rachel Jones
We are thrilled to share some wonderful news about our esteemed colleague, Rachel Jones. Rachel is currently on maternity leave, having recently welcomed her fifth child, a beautiful baby girl named Reese, born on February 24th. Congratulations to Rachel and her family on this joyous occasion!
Rachel has been an invaluable team member for nearly six years, with her anniversary in July. Her dedication and expertise have significantly contributed to our success. Rachel holds the P-Card Professional certification from Higher Education Training Services and is an active member of the National Association of Educational Procurement (NAEP).
In addition to her professional achievements, Rachel is also pursuing a Professional MBA through Iowa State University's Ivy College of Business. Her commitment to continuous learning and professional development is truly inspiring.
Rachel's role on our team encompasses a variety of responsibilities, including:
- Providing daily customer service through emails and phone calls
- Ordering cards
- Training new P-card holders
- Managing the gift card program
- Overseeing card renewals
We are incredibly proud of Rachel's accomplishments and grateful for her contributions. We look forward to her return and wish her all the best during her maternity leave.