FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 4, 2001 CONTACT: Lisa Lacher, (515) 271-3119 DRAKE UNIVERSITY NAMES HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR Venessa Macro, a graduate of Drake Law School, has been appointed Drake University's human resources director, effective Monday, May 7. She had been assistant general counsel of Meredith Corp., where she was an integral member of the company's human resources team. "I look forward to once again being a part of the Drake University community," Macro said. "Drake is lucky to hire someone with Venessa's experience and vision," said Vicky Payseur, vice president for business and finance at Drake. "She has significant experience in employment law and its practical application." Macro succeeds Barbara Q. Decker, who left Drake in February to pursue a legal career after earning her law degree at Drake Law School. Macro received her law degree with honors from Drake Law School in 1992. She also holds a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Northern Iowa. Prior to joining Meredith Corp. in 1994, she was an associate attorney with the prominent Washington, D.C., law firm of Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Field as well as a law clerk for Judge Ronald E. Longstaff of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa. At Meredith Corp., Macro assisted in the development of personnel, benefit and hiring policies and initiatives. She served as a member of the company's union negotiating team and served on the company's security task force. She is editor of the American Corporate Counsel Association, Iowa Chapter Newsletter. She also serves on the board of directors of the Waveland Woods Neighborhood Association in Des Moines and the board of directors of the Belle Babb Mansfield Foundation, a foundation aimed at addressing various public interest legal issues.