Jeff Vaassen is the Board President for Dubuque Main Street (DMS) and this is his first Dubuque Dances with the Stars! Jeff is passionate about the betterment of downtown and the city as a whole. He recently championed the Annual State of Main Awards, the office remodel, chairs the Economic Development Committee, and created DMS's revolving loan fund. He's raising money for Dubuque Main Street because he believes in their mission to make downtown Dubuque a place to dream, explore, and thrive! 

 

He grew up in East Dubuque, graduated from Wahlert High School and Loras College. He met his wife Amy while visiting friends in Cedar Falls and followed her to the Quad Cities for three years while Amy attended Palmer Chiropractic. Upon Amy’s graduation from Palmer, Jeff and Amy moved to the Des Moines area, eventually settling in Ankeny.

While in Ankeny, Jeff and Amy had two kids, Ben and Katelyn and were partners in two Culver’s Restaurants. Jeff was the Operating Partner for the two Culvers in Ankeny and Des Moines for 8 years. With the kids getting older, it was time for a change. Jeff and Amy moved back to Dubuque in 2008. 

Jeff took a job in the Commercial Lending Department at DB&T. In 2020 took a position at Dupaco Community Credit Union as Vice President of Business Lending. 

Jeff has also served on many non profit organizations over the years on various committees and Boards. He served on the Iowa Restaurant Association and the Culver’s Franchise Advisory Council while in Des Moines. Upon coming back to Dubuque, Jeff served 9 years on Opening Doors Board of Directors, two years as Board President. While serving as a Board Member, Jeff took up a side hobby as an Emcee and Auctioneer for nonprofits events throughout Dubuque, serving as the Attitude of Gratitude Auctioneer now for 12 years and helping out at more than 50 events over the years. The last 6 years, Jeff has served on the Dubuque Main Street Ltd Board of Directors, five years as the Chair of Dubuque Farmer’s Market, four years as an Executive Committee member and currently serving as the Board President. As the Board President of Dubuque Main Street, Jeff serves as a member of the Dubuque Initiative Board as well. 

In his free time, Jeff and Amy love to entertain family and friends or go out for dinner. Jeff has also found time to help coach golf at Wahlert allowing for him to enjoy watching both Ben and Katelyn play the game that he loves the most. Whatever free time is left, Jeff is either on the course playing golf himself or keeping up with the Cubs and Bears.

 

In the last two years, Jeff and Amy celebrated their 25th Anniversary, Jeff’s parent’s 75 birthdays, both of their 50th birthdays (Amy’s was just a few days ago – May 31st) and both of their kids graduating from High School.