Board of Directors

Area Natural Resource Specialist, USDA NRCS

Tanya has worked for USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service for over 30 years in various positions.  Currently, she assists NRCS field offices and private landowners in 20 of Iowa’s southeast counties to implement NRCS’ easement programs, primarily those protecting wetlands.  She serves on a national training cadre to teach about “Working Effectively with American Indians” and serves as the Chair of the Elders’ Committee for American Indian Alaska Native Employees Association.  Tanya feels very fortunate to have a significant role in restoring and protecting riverine wetlands in Iowa, leaving a permanent legacy.  She has been a part of Iowa Valley RC&D for almost 20 years in various capacities, as a partner, staff and board member.

Senior Vice President, Fairfax State Savings Bank, Fairfax & Amana, Iowa

Mike’s experience is both agricultural and financial. For the past ten years Mike has served the community as a banker. He is currently serving as Senior Vice President and Senior Loan Officer at Fairfax State Savings Bank. Prior to that he logged thirty years for Amana Farms, Inc. and Amana Society as well as Cargill AgHorizons where he marketed grain for larger agricultural producers.  He is active in the Amana Church and currently serves on the Amana Society, Inc. Board of Directors as well as the Amana Colonies Historic Sites Foundation Board. Mike’s passions are his family, photography, gardening and landscaping. He is also an avid apiarist.

Public Works & Volunteer Coordinator, City of Iowa City

Carol has over 38 years of experience in community drinking water and community stormwater. For 17 years she served as the Water Plant Operator for Iowa City. Carol served on the first Iowa Watershed Board which was created in 1996 and on Iowa’s Water Improvement Review Board from 2013-2017. As Public Works & Volunteer Coordinator, she guides public education and manages volunteer activities for 800+ volunteers each year.  Carol is passionate about connecting people to the outdoors and teaching them ways to ensure a sustainable future for water, land, and food.

Event Planner, Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance
Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Jenn has more than 10 years of experience planning and executing events in the Cedar Rapids area, and currently operates the Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmers’ Market and the Market After Dark each summer. She has a passion for building communities and developing local businesses, particularly when they involve local foods. Jenn is a member Advisor for Junior League of Cedar Rapids, event committee member for the Variety Club of Eastern Iowa Spirits of Spring Event, special events committee member for The History Center of Linn County, and past President of Cedar Rapids Jaycees.

Vice President for Quality Care, the Nature Care Company
Coralville, Iowa

Geoff has worked for Quality Care for 31 years in various roles, and is a charter board member for Grow: Johnson County.  He oversees recruitment and hiring, marketing, and natural areas management services. Geoff also serves on the University of Iowa’s REACH Program Employer Advisory Council, and is a past president of the Rotary Club of Coralville/North Corridor.  He has previously served on the boards of Successful Living, and Youth Homes of Iowa City, and served a term on the Iowa City Human Rights Commission. He enjoys the arts and travel with his wife, and restoring and maintaining their 50-acre prairie in Washington County.

Mobile Food Pantry Coordinator at Hawkeye Area Community Action Program (HACAP), Hiawatha, Iowa

Bob has been involved in the food distribution system for over 16 years. He was the Executive Director of Table to Table, a food rescue organization based in Iowa City for 15 years and worked to keep wholesome food from going to waste and getting it to agencies in Johnson County. Through this role, he joined with John Boller and Scott Kepke to approach Johnson County to create Grow:Johnson County. Bob currently coordinates the mobile food pantry program in HACAP’s seven-county service area and the program’s Senior Totes distribution.