Golden Hills' Board of Directors represent all eight Southwest Iowa counties and make important decisions to guide the organization.
Steve Baier
Chair Steve is a former teacher and farmer near Griswold. He is a Cass County Supervisor and also serves on the boards of Healthy Cass County, Hungry Canyons Alliance, East Nishnabotna Watershed Coalition, and more. |
Kathy Fiscus
Vice Chair Council Bluffs native Kathy Fiscus, enjoyed a 40-year career in television broadcasting in Iowa, Wisconsin, and Nebraska. After retiring from TV, Fiscus spent 14 years at the Council Bluffs Convention and Visitors Bureau in various capacities. While at the CVB, Fiscus worked closely with Pottawattamie Conservation and became an avid enthusiast and promoter of outdoor conservation and activities. Now fully retired, Fiscus concentrates on several board positions, advisory committees, and being a full time artist. One extensive artistic passion is the Loess Hills National Scenic Byway (TM). Fiscus has a daughter and family living in Kansas City, Kansas, and a son living in Des Moines, Iowa. |
Sheryl Sanders
Secretary Sheryl has been a Fremont County Soil & Water District Commissioner for many years and also the past president of the East and West Nishnabotna Watershed Coalition. She also is a founding participant in the Southern Loess Hills Interpretive and Welcome Center at the intersection of Highway 2 and Interstate 29 near Percival, Iowa. She is currently the secretary/treasurer of the Board. Her other activities are serving as the secretary of the Farragut Cemetery Board and the president of the Sidney Cemetery Board. Shery’s interest in conservation started long ago when she became one of the first whole farm wetland easements. Her farm includes an undeveloped wetland education center. Retiring from teaching English and being a teacher/librarian in the Farragut (Nishnabotna) Community Schools in 2015, it was natural to look for other activities. Sheryl and her partner Dave enjoy traveling in their RV and visiting their grandkids in Iowa, Wisconsin, and Kansas. |
Susan Miller
Treasurer Susan accepted an early retirement offer from First National Bank of Omaha after 42 years opening the door to her election to the Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors (term began 2023). She has served on the Iowa West Foundation Board of Directors from 2007 to 2022, Western Iowa Development Association (WIDA) from 2000 to 2005, and on the Carson City Council from 2001-2005. She lives with her husband of 42 years, Randy, in Carson, where they volunteer countless hours for their community and church. They have two sons, and two grandchildren. Susan is currently President of the Carson Business Club. |
Brian Rife
Brian began his term as Harrison County Supervisor in 2023. Prior to being elected to this office, he served 6 years on city council followed by 6 years as mayor of Mondamin. He also served on Harrison County Emergency Management Agency and vice chair of Harrison County 911. Brian was instrumental in starting the West Harrison Teammates chapter and served as their Vice Chair. He has served on the Mondamin Volunteer Fire Department since 2009 and is currently serving his 2nd term as Fire Chief. Brian works on his family farm with his dad, growing corn and soybeans. He also owns a small trucking company hauling grain, seed and pesticides, and owns a Beck's Hybrids seed dealership. Brian and his wife Lacie live in Mondamin with their 3 children. They are members of the Mondamin Church of Christ. |
Mark Peterson
Mark is a conservation-minded farmer, longtime resident of Montgomery County, and Montgomery County Supervisor. Mark has been involved with the Stanton Chamber of Commerce, Stanton Fire and Rescue, Red Oak Fire and Rescue, Montgomery County Family YMCA and Montgomery County Fair Board. He is also a board member for Practical Farmers of Iowa, Hungry Canyons Alliance, Waubonsie Mental Health, and several other organizations. Mark is a member of Mamrelund Lutheran Church Mark and his wife Melanie live on their farm near Stanton. They have 5 sons, 2 daughters-in-law, and 2 grandchildren. |
Seth Watkins
Seth Watkins is the fourth generation to care for his family’s heritage farm near Clarinda, where he raises beef cattle, corn, hay, oats, and various cover crops. Watkins is passionate about stewardship, especially water quality, the restoration of prairie, woodlands, & riparian areas. Watkins believes that when you have a healthy and diverse landscape combined with the values of inclusion, equality, & accessibility you can accomplish anything. Watkins serves on The Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation board of Directors and the Leadership Council for The Iowa Learning Farms. His wife Christy is an Early Childhood Specialist for Green Hills AEA. They have a son Spencer and a daughter Tatum. |
Carol Vinton
Carol and her husband Steve farm near Glenwood, and Carol is a Mills County Supervisor. Carol has been a 4-H leader for many years, a Mills County Fair Board member, and a judge at county and state fairs. Carol and Steve host many group tours at their farm with a menagerie of livestock. Carol is also a member of Trinity Lutheran Church. |