Keune became the second executive director in the history of Iowa JPEC in August 2024. The dynamic and visionary executive has extensive experience in building and scaling companies, driving growth, and leading diverse teams.

A native of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Keune attended Kirkwood Community College in 2005-06 before transferring to the University of Iowa, where he studied business and entrepreneurship from 2006-10. 

In January of 2012, Keune co-founded Higher Learning Technologies (HLT) in Coralville, Iowa. While at HLT, he held three different leadership roles and served as a member of the Board of Directors. Keune helped build the EdTech company from the ground up with a software platform utilized by 30 million people in more than 200 countries.

Keune was a member of Iowa JPEC’s advisory board from 2018 until he assumed the role of entrepreneur-in-residence with Iowa JPEC in October of 2023.

AWARDS
University of Iowa Young Alumni Entrepreneur of the Year
Entrepreneur Magazine Best Company Culture, Top 15 Places to Work in the United States (twice)
Silicon Prairie News Startup of the Year and Mobile App of the Year
TAI Prometheus Awards Mobile App of the Year (twice), Best Company Culture, Iowa Technology Company of the Year

VOLUNTEER WORK
Council Member, Iowa Innovation Council (2018-present)
Co-Chair, Iowa EdTech Collaborative (2018-present)
Council Member, Iowa Governor's Economic Recovery Advisory Committee (2020-21)
Advisory Board Member, University of Iowa JPEC (2018-24)
Executive Board Member, Greater Iowa City Inc. (2023-present)
Board Member, Iowa City Area Business Partnership (2019-23)