Board of Directors
Diane Birt, President
Diane worked at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and Iowa State University for nearly 40 years as a faculty member and administrator. In the process, she has distinguished herself and earned several awards. Diane has extensive experience in grant writing, grant reviewing and administering grant programs.
She has over 50 years’ experience in backpacking, hiking, bicycling and paddling; much of the bicycling and paddling occurred in Iowa over the past 17 years.
Diane worked at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and Iowa State University for nearly 40 years as a faculty member and administrator. In the process, she has distinguished herself and earned several awards. Diane has extensive experience in grant writing, grant reviewing and administering grant programs.
She has over 50 years’ experience in backpacking, hiking, bicycling and paddling; much of the bicycling and paddling occurred in Iowa over the past 17 years.
John Pohlman, Vice President
John retired in 2012 after working for more than thirty years at the City of Ames Resource Recovery Facility. His work involved industrial, environmental, alternative energy and management issues including working with statewide recycling and solid waste management organizations.
John served on the boards of the Big Bluestem Audubon Society, Squaw Creek Watershed Coalition and the Story County Conservation. He continues to be active with the Story County Conservation’s Partners and also volunteers for other groups. When John is not volunteering his time, he enjoys art museums and collecting art with his wife, Lynette.
John retired in 2012 after working for more than thirty years at the City of Ames Resource Recovery Facility. His work involved industrial, environmental, alternative energy and management issues including working with statewide recycling and solid waste management organizations.
John served on the boards of the Big Bluestem Audubon Society, Squaw Creek Watershed Coalition and the Story County Conservation. He continues to be active with the Story County Conservation’s Partners and also volunteers for other groups. When John is not volunteering his time, he enjoys art museums and collecting art with his wife, Lynette.
Kells Hall, Board
Kells has lived in the Ames area for decades and is currently retired on an acreage in Cambridge. He retired from Danfoss in Ames in 2014 where he had management roles in Engineering, Operations, and Executive Office.
Canadian by birth, Kells has always enjoyed the outdoors, especially bass fishing, which has become a retirement priority. He joined Outdoor Alliance as a volunteer in 2016 and became a board member in 2017. Kells found this organization to be both a committed and fun group of people who are focused on improving Story County’s outdoor opportunities for young and old.
Kells has lived in the Ames area for decades and is currently retired on an acreage in Cambridge. He retired from Danfoss in Ames in 2014 where he had management roles in Engineering, Operations, and Executive Office.
Canadian by birth, Kells has always enjoyed the outdoors, especially bass fishing, which has become a retirement priority. He joined Outdoor Alliance as a volunteer in 2016 and became a board member in 2017. Kells found this organization to be both a committed and fun group of people who are focused on improving Story County’s outdoor opportunities for young and old.
Bruce Wright, Secretary
Bruce is enjoying retirement in Ames, including walks in local parks and forests. He retired from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in 2013. Prior to retirement he was the NRCS National Forester providing leadership and guidance on forestry and agroforestry. Bruce worked for NRCS in Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota, and Washington, D.C. in a variety of positions during his 40 year career.
Bruce grew up on a farm near Winterset, Iowa and is a graduate of Iowa State University in Forestry and Soils. Bruce keeps busy with volunteering locally and some part time agroforestry consulting. He observes the changing seasons through daily walks in Ada Hayden Heritage Park with his goldendoodle, Sandy.
Bruce is enjoying retirement in Ames, including walks in local parks and forests. He retired from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in 2013. Prior to retirement he was the NRCS National Forester providing leadership and guidance on forestry and agroforestry. Bruce worked for NRCS in Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota, and Washington, D.C. in a variety of positions during his 40 year career.
Bruce grew up on a farm near Winterset, Iowa and is a graduate of Iowa State University in Forestry and Soils. Bruce keeps busy with volunteering locally and some part time agroforestry consulting. He observes the changing seasons through daily walks in Ada Hayden Heritage Park with his goldendoodle, Sandy.
Gregory Vitale, Treasurer
Greg worked as an economist for the Iowa Attorney General’s Office of Consumer Advocate as an expert on financial issues. He has more than 25 years of volunteer community building, board and other experience with outdoor recreation, education and conservation. He has paddled canoes and kayaks all over the state, region and far beyond.
Greg worked as an economist for the Iowa Attorney General’s Office of Consumer Advocate as an expert on financial issues. He has more than 25 years of volunteer community building, board and other experience with outdoor recreation, education and conservation. He has paddled canoes and kayaks all over the state, region and far beyond.
Former Board Members
Linda Zaletel, Founder
Linda was a founding member and served on the first board until she stepped down in the fall of 2015.
Linda enthusiastically took on more than her share and her contributions go well beyond her service on the board to enhance outdoor recreation, education and conservation in Story County. Previously, Linda was a naturalist for Story County Conservation for 33 years. Her extensive experience as a naturalist and on other boards served all of us well and Story County is better for her many on-going efforts.
Linda was a founding member and served on the first board until she stepped down in the fall of 2015.
Linda enthusiastically took on more than her share and her contributions go well beyond her service on the board to enhance outdoor recreation, education and conservation in Story County. Previously, Linda was a naturalist for Story County Conservation for 33 years. Her extensive experience as a naturalist and on other boards served all of us well and Story County is better for her many on-going efforts.
Todd Burras, Founder
Todd was a founding member and served on the first board until he stepped down in 2014.
Todd has worked as a journalist for the past twenty years including serving as the outdoors editor of the Ames Tribune for more than ten years. He spends as much time outdoors as he can with his wife, two children and friends. His interests include hunting, fishing, biking, hiking, gardening, birding, and beekeeping.
Todd was a founding member and served on the first board until he stepped down in 2014.
Todd has worked as a journalist for the past twenty years including serving as the outdoors editor of the Ames Tribune for more than ten years. He spends as much time outdoors as he can with his wife, two children and friends. His interests include hunting, fishing, biking, hiking, gardening, birding, and beekeeping.
Michael Meetz, Founder
Mike was a founding member and served on the first board until he stepped down in the fall of 2014.
Mike worked for 35 years as a Microbiologist at Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. Since 1971, he has volunteer on various environmental projects, including National Park Service resource management, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Story County Resource Enhancement and Protection Committee and Story County Conservation. Mike has also spent his time on his acreage and native prairie reconstruction where he lives with his wife and mother.
Mike was a founding member and served on the first board until he stepped down in the fall of 2014.
Mike worked for 35 years as a Microbiologist at Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. Since 1971, he has volunteer on various environmental projects, including National Park Service resource management, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Story County Resource Enhancement and Protection Committee and Story County Conservation. Mike has also spent his time on his acreage and native prairie reconstruction where he lives with his wife and mother.