Board Members
Tim Waddell
Chair (member since 2017)
Former Division Administrator, Iowa Economic Development Authority
Tim has served in various capacities in state government working with many programs including CDBG, LIHTC, NSP, Workforce housing tax credits, state historic tax credits and many others.
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Term ends 2025
Derek Lord
Director (member since 2017)
Economic Development Director, city of Ankeny
Derek has experience in both city and state economic and community development programs. He understands how to layer financing and how to structure development deals from both the development side and the program side.
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Term ends 2026
Pat Meiners
Secretary (member since 2017)
Volunteer activist, Member Des Moines Historical Society
Pat is known to the Des Moines media as the “go to” person for all things historic in the city of Des Moines. Pat has made it her life’s work to research and understand the history of Des Moines.
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Term ends 2025
Jeff Geerts
Director (member since 2017)
Project Manager, Iowa Economic Development Authority
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Jeff is the project manager for IEDA that focuses on the sustainability of our projects. He wrote and manages the “Green Streets” criteria for all projects utilizing IEDA funding. Jeff is also talented at bringing people and programs together.
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Term ends 2025
Connie Boesen
Director (member since 2019)
Mayor of the City of Des Moines
Connie was elected as Mayor of the City of Des Moines in 2023 and was previously a long-time member of the Des Moines Community School Board. Connie is a business owner and community activist.
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Term ends 2025
Al Tokheim
Treasurer (member since 2017)
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Al is a retired John Deere Manager with both IT and financial backgrounds. He actively serves within multiple non-profit organizations bringing technology and financial insights where needed. As a long-term Johnston resident, he is committed to helping preserve community values and iconic structures that make Des Moines such a great place to live and raise a family.
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Term ends 2025
Tim Hielkema
Director (member since 2017)
Architect
Tim has been a practicing architect for many years in the Des Moines metro. He is an avid historic preservationist and brings his knowledge and expertise to the board.
Term ends 2026
John Brown
Vice-Chair (member since 2017)
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Former Attorney, John Deere Financial
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John was an attorney with John Deere Financial for many years and brings legal expertise to the table for the board to rely on. John is also an amateur historian with an interest in all things historic. He also recently served as the President of the Iowa State Historical Society and remains on that board as a member.
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Term ends 2026
Connor Delaney
Director (member since 2023)
Born and raised in Des Moines, Connor is a Roosevelt High School graduate. After some years serving in the Air Force, Connor began buying and restoring homes and commercial buildings around Des Moines. He has since become much more involved in renovating and retaining both small and large historic mixed use and commercial properties. Some of the properties he owns include the Ingersoll Theatre, French Way Cleaners and the Wherry Building on 6th Avenue. Connor enjoys the redevelopment process. He enjoys working with the former owners of buildings and learning their and the properties histories.
Term ends 2026
Steve Frevert
Director (member since 2024)
Steve is the Executive Director of the Historic Valley Junction Foundation. He previously worked as the Main Street director in Burlington IA for 12 years, chaired the city’s preservation commission, and was involved with Burlington’s Heritage Trust and its Preservation Station salvage program. He has also worked at the Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio in Oak Park IL and chaired the preservation commission in Beloit WI.
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Term ends 2026