Your Board of Directors

Jeff has served on the East-Central Iowa REC Board since 1990. He has held the offices of President, Vice President, and Secretary/Treasurer of the Board. Jeff has also acquired certification for the Credentialed Cooperative Director Program and the Board Leadership Program.

Jeff graduated from Drake University in 1975 with a B.S. in business and a major in finance. He is a member of the Drake University Scholarship Fund today.

A farmer since 1976, Jeff manages 500 acres of corn, soybeans, and hay, as well as a cow-calf herd. He married his wife, LuAnn, in 1977. They have three daughters and one granddaughter. As a member of the American Lutheran Church in La Porte City, he has served on the church council and helps with the operation of the sound system.

An avid basketball fan, Jeff also enjoys cars and a little golf.

Julie is a longtime Benton County resident and farms with her husband, Bill. Julie and Bill married in 1997, and they have six daughters and 11 grandchildren. After 35 years, Julie retired from the Linn County Assessor’s Office, serving as the assessor at retirement, and sat on several committees during her tenure. Associated with the Urbana Christian Church, Julie loves spending time with family and friends. Her hobbies include reading, traveling, gardening, playing games (including cards), organizing, and volunteering.

Brian was appointed to fill the vacant seat on the East-Central Iowa REC board in January 2021. The vacancy came to be when Allen Albers announced he would be retiring in December 2020.

Brian is a lifelong farmer and resident of Benton County. Brian graduated from Benton Community High School and has a bachelor’s degree in Ag Business.

Since 1999 Brian has been self-employed, raising beef cattle and a few crops a farm in Watkins. He has also worked part-time as the City Clerk for Blairstown since 2004.

Brian has been a member of the Benton County ISU Extension and Outreach Council since 2015, has been a board member of the Southeast Iowa Angus Association since 2019, serves as the Benton County Landfill Commissioner for Blairstown, and has been a board member of the Alliance Mutual Insurance Association since 2020.

Brian also serves as Trustee for St Clair Township in Benton County.

Brian enjoys being actively involved within his community and its surrounding area.

Gary was elected to serve on the East-Central Iowa REC board in June 2016. He has earned his Credentialed Cooperative Director certificate and he represents ECI REC on the Central Iowa Power Cooperative (power supplier) board of directors.

Gary works in the insurance industry, where he is the owner of Van Eschen-Strong Insurance and has been at Eden Mutual Insurance since 1997, where he has served as manager for 12 years, both located in Vinton.

Gary and his wife since 1990, Teresa, have two children. He enjoys golfing, snowmobiling, carpentry work, camping, and watching his kids play sports.

Gary served 32 years as a member of the Vinton Fire Department, where he served 12 of those years as fire chief. He is a member of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Vinton.

Pete was elected at the June 2024 Annual Meeting of Members, and has 17-years in the banking/lending sector, along with his current position as Relationship Officer at Farm Credit Services of America. 

Pete obtained a BS in Ag Studies/Farm Business Management from Iowa State University and an MS in Animal Science from Western Kentucky University. Alongside his banking career, he actively manages a family farm operation with his family spanning Benton, Black Hawk, and Buchanan counties.

Pete is engaged in community service, contributing to the Benton County Cattleman Association Board and Scholarship Committee, the Independence Community School District Ag Education Council, and the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Independence.

Pete is married to Erin and they have three daughters. He enjoys golfing, boating, and sharing his passion for agriculture by showing steers with his daughters throughout the Midwest.

Elected at the June 2018 Annual Meeting of Members, Nick has served on the Jesup Planning and Zoning Committee and has also served as President for the Jesup Golf and Country Club. Nick has been a general manager at Spahn and Rose Lumber Co. since 2016. He graduated from Waldorf College with an A.A. degree and attends Jesup Bible Fellowship. 

Nick married his wife, Terri, in 1998. They have three children. In his spare time, Nick enjoys golf and coaching basketball.

Steve has been serving on the East-Central Iowa REC Board since June 2005 and has served as Secretary/Treasurer. He serves in several other leadership roles: Assistant Chief of the Stanley Fire Department, Vice President of Fayette County Corn and Soybean Growers, and Board member of the Iowa Hereford Breeders Association.

Steve has been farming since 1985 and currently manages 900 acres of corn, soybeans, and hay. He is a Hereford cow and calf operator.

Steve married his wife, Missy, in 1992. They have three boys. He enjoys tractor repair, camping, showing cattle, and watching his boys' sports activities.

Steve is active as a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Oelwein, where he serves as the eighth-grade religious education teacher and a Eucharistic minister. He also participates in the Knights of Columbus.

Elected at the June 2024 Annual Meeting of Members, Gary has been a member of ECI REC for over 30 years and has passionately tended to his roles as a grain farmer and certified crop insurance adjuster.

Gary’s community involvement spans various organizations, including being active with the Church of Christ United and Winthrop Historical Center. He also served on the Buchanan County Pork Producers Board, Winthrop C&C Club, and Buchanan County Wildlife.

Gary is married to Missy and they have two sons and a beloved granddaughter. He is deeply rooted in Buchanan County, having graduated from East Buchanan Community Schools.

Gary finds joy in fishing, hunting, reading, and spending time with his family.