.floatimg-left-hort { float:left; } .floatimg-left-caption-hort { float:left; margin-bottom:10px; width:300px; margin-right:10px; clear:left;} .floatimg-left-vert { float:left; margin-top:10px; margin-right:15px; width:200px;} .floatimg-left-caption-vert { float:left; margin-right:10px; margin-bottom:10px; font-size: 12px; width:200px;} .floatimg-right-hort { float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-left:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 300px;} .floatimg-right-caption-hort { float:left; margin-right:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 300px; font-size: 12px; } .floatimg-right-vert { float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-left:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 200px;} .floatimg-right-caption-vert { float:left; margin-right:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 200px; font-size: 12px; } .floatimgright-sidebar { float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-left:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 200px; border-top-style: double; border-top-color: black; border-bottom-style: double; border-bottom-color: black;} .floatimgright-sidebar p { line-height: 115%; text-indent: 10px; } .floatimgright-sidebar h4 { font-variant:small-caps; } .pullquote { float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-left:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 150px; background: url(http://www.dmbusinessdaily.com/DAILY/editorial/extras/closequote.gif) no-repeat bottom right !important ; line-height: 150%; font-size: 125%; border-top: 1px solid; border-bottom: 1px solid;} .floatvidleft { float:left; margin-bottom:10px; width:325px; margin-right:10px; clear:left;} .floatvidright { float:right; margin-bottom:10px; width:325px; margin-right:10px; clear:left;} Karen Goldsworth was planning a move to Denver after she graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in marketing. Then, she said, came a job offer “I couldn’t refuse.”

That was 14 years ago and the job was with Krause Gentle Corp., developer of the Kum & Go convenience store chain.

The job turned into an educational experience that was second to none, Goldsworth said, because it provided the opportunity to observe business professionals in action, including co-founder William Krause.

Goldsworth was public relations director for seven years with Krause Gentle. She handled the marketing for 350 stores. In addition, she coordinated Krause’s travel and schedule.

“Bill goes 24 hours a day,” she said. “I learned more than I ever could have gotten out of school.” She also learned that professional development is incomplete unless it is combined with personal involvement in community affairs.

She left Krause Gentle because she couldn’t keep up with a hectic schedule and raise a family. But she carried her experience over to Strauss Security Solutions, where she became the first salesperson to achieve $1 million in sales.

She also became involved with the Urbandale Chamber of Commerce, where she chairs its ambassadors group and fund-raising committee. She is a member of Junior Achievement of Central Iowa, chair of the Synergy Networking Group, a member of Women of Worth and a Sunday school teacher at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church.

Goldsworth brings “passion and leadership skills” to every project she undertakes, wrote Susan Bonnicksen, an independent sales consultant for Superior Printing and Promotions.

Lifelong friend Susan Kluever, coordinator of the hospitalist program at Mercy Iowa City, said Goldsworth is “forward thinking and driven.”

As for herself, Goldsworth said her most noteworthy accomplishment is being a mother to three children, all under age 6.