Steve Lacy

Steve Lacy brings a wealth of business, managerial and executive experience to the Board of Regents.

The former CEO of Des Moines-based Meredith Corporation, Lacy joined Meredith in 1998 as the media company’s chief financial officer. He was named chief executive officer in 2006, and subsequently executive chairman.

After retiring in 2020, Lacy became Chair-CEO Advisor and Executive Peer Board Leader at Vistage Worldwide, Inc. where he coaches and advises small and midsize businesses on the fundamentals of growth and success. 

Lacy serves on the Boards of Hormel Foods Corporation, First Interstate BancSystem, Inc., the Kansas State University Alumni Association and the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines. He is past Chair of the Des Moines Redevelopment Corporation, the Greater Des Moines Partnership Board and United Way of Central Iowa’s annual campaign and has served in leadership positions with the American Red Cross, Junior Achievement, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Easter Seals and the Dowling Catholic High School Foundation.

Lacy earned both a bachelor’s degree in accounting and an MBA from Kansas State University. In 2024, he and his wife, Cathy Wiltfong Lacy, were awarded the Kansas State University Medal of Excellence, the highest honor bestowed on KSU alumni, for their service and contributions to the university. 

He was appointed to the Board by Governor Reynolds on December 19, 2025 to fill the unexpired term of Sherry Bates. His term expires April 30, 2029.