Staff

Mark Shoemaker

Executive Director
mark.shoemaker@pottcounty-ia.gov
712-328-5638

Mark received his Bachelor’s degree in Biology: Natural History Interpretation and Earth Science from the University of Northern Iowa in 1992. Mark worked for the Iowa DNR at Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area near Cedar Rapids his last two years of college.  He began his work for the Conservation Board during the summer of 1992 as a park ranger intern and on January 18, 1993, was hired as the Park Ranger at Long’s Landing. Mark has held his current position as the executive director since January 1, 1998. As director, Mark oversees all park operations including staff members and their training, develops short and long term operation and acquisition plans, and budgets.

He is a Leadership Iowa graduate, and is a member of the County Conservation Peace Officers Association, Vice President of the Iowa Association of County Conservation Boards, member of the County Conservation Directors Association, Loess Hills Alliance Board Member and Pottawattamie Conservation Foundation liaison. Mark also serves as a board member for the Pottawattamie County Safety and Policy Committees, Council Bluffs Trees Forever Board, Leadership Council Bluffs Alumni Association, Pottawattamie County Trails Association Board and is Treasurer for the Loess Hills Missouri River Region Board. Mark is also an ILEA certified peace officer.

Chris Andrew

Site Manager, Mt. Crescent Ski Area
chris.andrew@pottcounty-ia.gov
712-545-9135

Dan Borgaila

Maintenance & Operations Technician, Mt. Crescent Ski Area
dan.borgaila@pottcounty-ia.gov
712-545-9135

Jeff Franco

Deputy Director
jeff.franco@pottcounty-ia.gov
712-328-5831

Jeff is a native of Omaha who graduated from Creighton University in 2004 with a bachelor’s degree in environmental science and in 2011 with a master’s in bio-science management. While pursuing his master’s, Jeff joined Pottawattamie Conservation back in 2011 as a Natural Areas Management intern.  In 2012 he began work with HDR, Inc. as an environmental scientist supporting a variety of projects through wetland delineations, and habitat and National Environmental Policy Act reviews. He returned to Pottawattamie Conservation as Operations Supervisor in March of 2016 and assumed the role of Deputy Director in 2021.

 

Kylie Jacott

Promotions & Outreach Coordinator
kylie.jacott@pottcounty-ia.gov
712-328-5835

Kylie is an Omaha, Nebraska native who discovered her love for and connection to nature while roaming the prairies and woodlands on her grandparent’s acreage in Crescent, Iowa. She’s a passionate, curious storyteller who enjoys discovering powerful ways to inform and inspire the public. With her background in journalism, marketing and service, she's excited to learn more about conservation efforts and inspire our community to get involved.

As newbie hikers, Kylie and her fiancé Matt love to take their pup Maisel out to explore the wilderness with them. She hopes you make time to get out to Pottawattamie parks, connect with our environment and learn something new! 

Dana Kruse

Volunteer & Facilities Coordinator
dana.kruse@pottcounty-ia.gov
712-545-3283

Dana built his career with Frito Lay where he led sales and trained teams across the country. For the past 20 years he has also passionately coordinated the Knights of Columbus's annual Wild Game Feed. He is a high school football official and him and his wife Sue have three sons, three grandsons and three dogs.

His favorite quote is: “Excellence is a gradual result of always striving to be better.” 

Ray Mehaffy

Maintenance & Operations Technician, Mt. Crescent Ski Area
ray.mehaffy@pottcounty-ia.gov
712-545-9135

Kim Wickersham

Administrative Assistant
kimberly.wickersham@pottcounty-ia.gov
712-328-5638

Kim is a Wyoming native, growing up in Laramie. She has gradually migrated east with work until landing in Council Bluffs where her husband was raised. She graduated from McCook Community College, McCook, NE with an Associate Degree in Fine Arts. She then went on to Chadron State College in Chadron, NE and graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Graphic Design and Two-Dimensional Fine Arts. In college, she did an internship with the Nebraska Game and Parks in Lincoln, NE in their graphic design department.

Since then she has worked in a variety of fields as a graphic designer, optical manager, and as an administrative assistant. It was this experience that prompted her move to Pottawattamie Conservation in February of 2020.

Growing up in Wyoming her family always enjoyed being outdoors which she still enjoys today. Kim shares her love of nature with her husband and two boys.