Daybreak Rotary was thrilled to have a local Author come and speak at our meeting this morning. Joe LeValley stopped by to talk about his novel "Burying The Lede".
Prior to becoming an author, Joe was fortunate to find success in three different careers: journalism, health care, and music.
Joe was a reporter-photographer for Iowa newspapers for seven years. During that time, he wrote thousands of articles ranging from breaking news to feature stories to personal columns.
He served for more than 30 years as an executive in Iowa hospitals and its largest statewide health care network. He was project leader on numerous expansions of services and facilities, including more than half a billion dollars worth of hospitals, clinics and other medical facilities. He assisted many Iowa hospitals in developing strategic plans and was a frequent public speaker on health care policy. He and his staff won four national awards for excellence in communications.
As a musician, Joe plays drums and guitar. He has performed in rock bands, a country-rock trio and as a solo artist. He also is a composer. You can hear some of his original music at www.rockiowa.net. (The menu tab on this site called "Link to Original Music" will take you there directly.) Joe serves on the Board of Directors of the Iowa Rock 'n' Roll Music Association.
In 2016, he was inducted with the Mourning Glory Rock Band into the Iowa Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame.
A lifelong Iowan, Joe has a degree in journalism from Drake University in Des Moines and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Iowa in Iowa City.
Joe is a Life Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives. He serves or has served on the boards of directors of many community organizations in northern and central Iowa, and has served on committees for state and national health care advocacy organizations.
He and his wife Jane have six children and live in Dallas County, Iowa.
