Johnson County Conservation Department Staff

Meet The Staff
Rose Grace - Secretary / Office Manager
	Rose Grace is the Secretary/Office Manager for the Johnson County Conservation Board. She has been with the Conservation Department for almost ten years. When you call she is probably the person you speak to when you call the Conservation office - the department's "Girl Friday." She does a little bit of everything. Rose was born and raised in Johnson County and came from a large family with eight girls and three boys. She married her high school sweetheart and has been married for almost 33 years. Together they have two wonderful daughters who have blessed them with four precious grandchildren. While not at work, Rose enjoys golfing, working with her husband on home improvement projects and spending time with family and friends.
Brad Freidhof - Naturalist
	Brad Freidhof serves as the Johnson County Naturalist. He can be found at F.W. Kent park or around the county educating citizens about their environment and conservation. Prior to serving Johnson County Brad worked for a variety of County Conservation Board including the Pocahontas County Conservation Board where he spent the five years prior to his hiring serving as their Naturalist. Brad is a native of rural New Hampton Iowa where he grew up on a farm with his parents and brother. Brad keeps busy spending time with his family and enjoying the outdoors anyway he can. "I'm excited to work with the people of Johnson County to spread the message of conservation and environmental education" Brad stated. "I'm also going to strive for new and innovative ways to teach the public about conservation and their environment, so watch for new things to be in the works". Stop by F.W. Kent Park to meet Brad or watch for upcoming programs on the web, newsletter or other local media sources.
Larry Lovetinsky - Superintendent of Field & Shop Operations
	Larry Lovetinsky is the Superintendent of Field and Shop Operations for the Johnson County Conservation Board. He has been with the Conservation Department since 1982. In the past years Larry has had the priviledge of being involved in numerous projects afffecting the park, that has enhanced park users' enjoyment. Larry has lived in Johnson County all of his life and grew up around the Tiffin area. His hobbies are woodcarving, woodworking, hunting, fishing, and camping. He enjoyes spending time with his family, especially outdoors. Larry enjoys working with the park and has especially found pride in projects of restoration, which will provide enjoyment for his children and the community for many years to come.
Tom Smith - Ranger
	I am Tom Smith and I have been employed as Park Ranger for the JCCB since 1982. I was employed as a seasonal employee at F.W. Kent Park for three years wile attending the University if Iowa. I received my degree in Outdoor Recreation from the University of Iowa in 1981. I grew up in the Chicago area and moved to Fort Dodge when I was 15 years of age. My wife Sarah and I have two teenage children - Patrick and Erin. We look forward to getting away for downhill ski trips when possible. I enjoy following Hawkeye Athletics and Chicago area professional athletic teams. For relaxation I enjoy playing the guitar, watching movies with my family and enjoying outdoor activities. My interest in the outdoors was spurred by many family camping trips taken as I was growing up. We had an old Apache pop-up camper set up in the backyard and my six siblings and I would take turns "camping out" all summer. I was part of a very active Boy Scout Troop and took many camping and hiking outings in Illinois and Wisconsin. We also took a week-long canoe trip in Canada. My career choice was prompted by the desire to both work in the outdoors and work with the public. Serving as a Park Ranger has fulfilled both of these goals.
Dan Campbell - Ranger
	If you are a visitor to a Johnson County Conservation Board area you may have already met me. For those who do not know me or have forgotten my name, I am Park Ranger Dan Campbell. I have been a Ranger for 20 years in Johnson County. During these 20 years I have had the privilege to meet and work with the many visitors, mainly at F.W. Kent Park, where my family and I reside. My wife Carolyn and I have two children, a son Jared and daughter Nicole. I regard myself as a third generation Park Ranger. My uncle was a Park Ranger for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, and his father was one of the first Park Custodians when the IDNR was sill referred to as the Iowa Conservation Commission. My career started at a young age when my 'Uncle Don' would let me ride around the campgrounds with him while checking in campers. My many questions and unbridled energy probably drove him crazy, but he hid it well with patient answers and his generous wisdom. Among the many things I learned from him, is that a smile opens most doors and kindness paves many roads. He was a master at dealing with park users and his style was a valuable life lesson. While growing up my family enjoyed many outdoor pursuits: camping weekends, fishing and hunting trips too numerous to count, mushroom forays, swimming in the lakes and rivers, wading after frogs or crawdads. Basically, my three brothers and I choose to relive the lives of Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn, building rafts of logs and spearing fish in the creek. Every day was an adventure and my mother would meet us as the door just to make sure the outdoors stayed outdoors. Today, I have indoctrinated my own family to experience these same simple pleasures. Weekends for us mean camping trips with the fishing boat, picnics by the playground, blazing fires with smores and singing silly songs only 3 year-olds can find words for. My favorite summer pastime is to explore other parks and gather good ideas. Camping with my family gives me valuable insight on what's out there. During my career I have held a variety of positions which has provided me with many valuable experiences. I have been a police office, a water patrol aide, a summer resort employee, gun club employee, plastic molder, and a power generator employee. My personal explorations have been just a diverse. I have been deep sea fishing in the Gulf of Mexico, I hiked the Rocky Mountains with a fly rod, I have chased caribou in Northern Quebec, been attacked by Desert Peccaries in Texas, skied most of Colorado, hiked the north rim of the Grand Canyon, and threw dices 22 straight times without hitting seven or eleven at the Craps Table in Las Vegas. I look forward to each and every person I meet in each place I visit.
Dave Wehde - Vegetation Specialist
	I'm Dave Wehde, the Johnson County Conservation Board Vegetation Specialist. I was first employed by the board as a seasonal employee in 1983. I became a full-time staff member in 1986 after graduating from Upper Iowa University with a double major in Conservation Management and Biology. I am a former resident of Solon, Iowa, and I grew up near Lake McBride State Park where I spent most of my time as a youth developing a strong fondness for nature and the outdoors. My major job responsibilities are restoration and establishment of natural areas such as woodlands, savannas, wetlands, prairies and wildlife habitat plantings. I have been involved in many exciting projects for the Conservation Board over the years and have great passion for the work in this field. I would also like to thank the many friends and conservation supporters that I have met in the Johnson County community. Your continued assistance, encouragement and hard work is a vital aspect to the success of our program. I look forward to working with you . The future has never been brighter and the challenges never greater. When not on duty for the Conservation Board you might find me spending time with my lovely wife Melissa and daughter Linsie. Other personal interests include camping, backpacking, trout fishing, raptorial birds and history. You may also find me pheasant hunting with my brittany spaniel, Sir Rebel of Indian Grass Hills, my best friend.
Gary Pidgeon - Senior Maintenance Worker
	My name is Gary Pidgeon. I have worked, as a member of the field staff, for the Johnson County Conservation Board since 1970. During that time we've had the opportunity to participate in many of the various aspects of construction, maintenance, and improvement of the county parks and use areas. Our main responsibilities the past few years is to help ensure clean, safe facilities and grounds during the heavier use season. Our objective is to help provide the most enjoyable stay in our parks as possible. I am just one of the staff that is dedicated to providing clean, safe areas so everyone can enjoy and appreciate the natural creations around us. We hope to see you out enjoying the parks, - picnicking, , fishing, utilizing past and present conservation projects, or participating in any of the numerous other opportunities which are available in the Johnson County Conservation Board areas.
Terry Kinney - Field Worker II
	Hello, I'm Terry Kinney. I have been serving Johnson County residents as a staff member of the Johnson County Conservation Board (JCCB) since 1989. My duties with the JCCB include working with other staff members to provide the maintenance and construction of facilities within JCCB areas. These duties are numerous and diverse from day to day. My duties can include, but are not limited to, harvesting prairie seed, building shelters, pouring concrete, trimming trees, constructing/installing signage, and much more. I also supervise other field staff and seasonal employees to complete these tasks efficiently and to the highest of standards. The entire staff of the JCCB takes pride in the high quality work we provide to our county residents. Away from work I enjoy spending time on my rural Oxford farm with my wife Stephanie. Our home is the same house in which I was born and raised. In our "spare" time we enjoy raising a few cattle, miniature horses and working around the farm. Stephanie and I are members of the Iowa Miniature Horse Club where I serve on the Board of Directors. Aside from our small farming operation and miniature horse business, I enjoy hunting deer and going trout fishing. I enjoy working for the JCCB and hope that you enjoy visiting our fine parks.
Tim Kinney - Utility Person
	My name is Tim Kinney. I am currenty in my 15th year of service with the Johnson County Conservation Board. Throughout these years, I have worked with skilled staff on numerous projects. Some of the more challenging projects have included; the restoration of historic bridges, the enhancement of a unique trail system and the installation of the new modern playground. In my postion, I also work on construction of everything from shelters to office furniture. When I am away from work, I enjoy spending time with my wife Nancy and our two daughters. I dedicate a lot of time to help the girls with softball and 4-H in the summer, and soccer and basketball in the fall and winter. I also like to hunt and fish.
Wade Schultz - Mechanic
	My name is Wade Schultz and I am the mechanic for the Johnson County Conservation Board. I am currently in my 7th year of service with the JCCB. I perform mechanical repairs, fabricate equipment, assist with numerous building projects and operate equipment for projects. Assisting with the electrical, plumbing and heating maintenance and installation for the JCCB is also part of my job. I served in the United States Marine Corps for four years and am a Desert Storm Veteran. I live in Lisbon with my wife Julie and daughter Emily. When I'm not working for the JCCB, I am at home in my machine shop building custom motorcycles for hill climbing. My family has been hosting the Anamosa Motorcycle Hill climb since 1965. This hill climb is held the 1st Sunday of June and the 2nd Sunday in September.
Dave Gustafson - Field Worker I
	Hello, my name is Dave Gustafson, but since I’m the second Dave on staff, they call me "Gus". I am a Field Worker for the JCCB. I was hired for full-time employment on March 15, 2004. I assist wherever I am needed in the field crew, but my primary duties include mowing and ground maintenance in all nine JCCB owned properties and assisting with construction and development projects. I grew-up in the "Iron Range" of Northeastern Minnesota, where my love for trees, rivers, lakes and nature became a large part of who I am and what I enjoy. I live in rural Williamsburg with my wonderful wife Laura, my precious son Dayne and numerous four legged family members. I enjoy my life with Laura and Dayne - playing, fishing and learning together. I also enjoy fixing broken machinery, construction of any kind, working with metals and woods, hunting, fishing, gardening and taking saunas. Not everyone gets to enjoy all this and enjoy their job too, so I feel very fortunate that I am able to have all of this. Have a nice day and come enjoy the wonderful outdoors at F.W. Kent Park.
Jeremy Rieck - Vegetation Technician
	I am the newest member of the Johnson County Conservation Board team. I'm originally from the Boone Area. I grew up on a farm and spent much of my youth in Ledges State Park where I gained much of my interest in the outdoors. I have an AAS degree in Parks and Natural Resources from Kirkwood Community College, and graduated last May from Upper Iowa University with a double major - Conservation Management and Life Sciences. I serve as the Vegetation Technician for the JCCB. My duties include employing various methods to control a variety of invasive species such as; autumn olive, bush honeysuckle, multi-flora rose, garlic mustard, wild parsnip, sweet clover, and reed canary grass to name a few. My other responsibilities include, but are not limited to, prairie trail maintenance, timber stand improvement (TSI), seed harvest, assisting with prescribed burns, prairie restoration/reconstructions and wetland reconstructions. I reside in the Oxford area. During my free time I enjoy mushroom hunting, hiking, camping, canoeing, playing disc golf, and fishing of any kind. Fly fishing has taken up most of my time on the water in recent years. I hope to see you at F.W. Kent Park or enjoying one of the other JCCB areas. I live in rural Williamsburg with my wonderful wife Laura, my precious son Dayne and numerous four legged family members. I enjoy my life with Laura and Dayne - playing, fishing and learning together. I also enjoy fixing broken machinery, construction of any kind, working with metals and woods, hunting, fishing, gardening and taking saunas. Not everyone gets to enjoy all this and enjoy their job too, so I feel very fortunate that I am able to have all of this. Have a nice day and come enjoy the wonderful outdoors at F.W. Kent Park.

Welcome to Johnson County Conservation Department Staff - Department Personel

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