Jan Horstman Govig ’57

Jan Horstman Govig ’57 and husband Dick started their business in 1978, not exactly an ideal time with one son in college and another in high school headed toward college and medical school.

They are now retired from Govig & Associates, an executive search business specializing in senior management positions in healthcare, accounting, and construction. The Scottsdale, Ariz., business is managed by their eldest son, Todd.
“We were entrepreneurial,” said Jan. She credits their desire to have their own business from her music education at Cornell and Dick’s field of engineering at the University of Iowa. Both schools stressed “thinking outside the box.” With perseverance and hands-on execution by Jan and Dick, both Iowa natives, the business grew to nearly 100 employees. Their firm is a go-to source for the media looking for expertise on employment trends.
Govig & Associates has earned numerous local, national, and international awards, including Office of the Decade (2010, given by Management Recruiters International franchise) and Best Place to Work in Phoenix (2012).
Jan recalls her days at Cornell as a most
rewarding experience.
“The size of Cornell allowed the students to see the bigger picture and encouraged them to go after their dreams,” she said.
Jan continues to devote her energies to helping others achieve their dreams through the business and in
her community.