Board of Directors

Board of Directors Strategic Planning, February 2010

Preservation Iowa's Board of Directors works tirelessly with the Executive Director to build Iowa's premier statewide nonprofit preservation organization and to preserve Iowa's historic resources. If you are interested in serving on the Board of Directors or a board committee, contact us at volunteer@preservationiowa.org.

Naura Heiman Godar, West Des Moines—President

Naura moved to Des Moines in 2006 and joined the board in 2008. She first experienced Preservation Iowa through the Hollywood in the Heartland initiative. Naura is a project architect at StruXture architects in West Des Moines, has a love of the built environment and the preservation of Iowa's historic treasures.

Sheriffa Jones, Spencer—Vice President

Sheriffa joined the board in 2007 and has served as the secretary for about two years. Her background is in historic preservation and community and economic development. She has worked in those areas for ten years. Currently, she works at the Iowa Lakes Resource Conservation & Development globe icon office in Spencer.

Laura Carstens, Dubuque—Treasurer

Laura is a Planning Services Manager for the City of Dubuque globe icon assisting with administration of the city's historic preservation planning and regulations. She joined the Preservation Iowa board in 2009.

John Ryan, Polk City—Secretary

Joining the PI board in 2011, John has a degree in construction engineering and has worked for Ryan Companies US, Inc. globe icon since 2003. John recently served as project manager on the rehabilitation of several historic buildings in Cedar Rapids: the Iowa Theater Building (Theatre Cedar Rapids), the CSPS Hall, and the Paramount Theatre.

Gloria Betcher, Ames

Gloria is the president of Historia Consulting and served for 8 years on the Ames Historic Preservation Commission. In addition to her historic preservation interests, Ms. Betcher is employed with Iowa State University globe icon as an Adjunct Associated Professor of English and Program Coordinator for the Technical Communications Program in the Department of English.

Jim Davies, Hampton

In addition to owning a design/print shop and working as the Director of Business Development at Creative Solutions Unlimited, Jim is also the manager of the Historic Windsor Theater globe icon in Hampton. Jim also serves on the Hampton City Council, Hampton Main Street Design Committee and the Hampton Historic Preservation Commission.

Steve Frevert, Burlington

A longtime preservationist, Steve joined the board in 2010. He has served on many local boards including Past President of the Heritage Trust globe icon, historic preservation commission, and the Des Moines County Historical Society globe icon. Steve is also the executive director of Downtown Partners globe icon, Burlington's local Main Street program.

Kevin Kuckleman, Keokuk

Kevin has been active in the historic preservation efforts of Keokuk for many years. He developed Keokuk's historic Peirce/Hotel Iowa building in addition to assisting with the efforts to rehabilitate Keokuk's historic Fraternal Order of Eagles building. An attorney at law, Kevin owns Keokuk Abstract & Title globe icon as well as a small solo practice focusing on transactional work and real estate.

Mary Ottoson, Fort Madison

Mary joined the board in 2011. She currently serves as Executive Director for a young Main Street program in Fort Madison globe icon, where she educates the public about historic preservation and assists district property owners and developers with state and federal tax credit applications.

Leigh Ann Randak, Iowa City

Leigh Ann has worked as the Curator of the Johnson County Historical Society globe icon in Coralville since 1996. She assisted in the research, renovation and re-interpretation of the 1876 Coralville Schoolhouse from a county museum to a schoolhouse museum. Leigh Ann has also been an active participant and presenter at Preservation Iowa's Country School Preservation programs and conferences.

Richard Thomas, Mount Vernon

For more than 35 years, Dr. Richard H. Thomas, of Mount Vernon, has been a leader, motivating force, and tireless worker for historic preservation in the state of Iowa and the nation. Locally, Dr. Thomas was the first chairperson and continues as a member of the Mount Vernon Historic Preservation Commission globe icon. He has also served in many leadership capacities for the Linn County Historical Society.

Lori Unick, Ankeny

Lori's preservation background includes serving as an Assistant Preservation Planner in both Lincoln, Nebraska, and Minneapolis, Minnesota. She also experienced many facets of preservation architecture during her years as an intern architect for private firms and as an independent consultant. She is currently employed at Brooks Borg Skiles Architecture Engineering, LLP globe icon in Des Moines.

Advisors to the Board