Meet Our Board Members
Who is on the Nishnabotna Water Defenders Board? You can meet them here!
Terry Langan | Co-President
Terry is a fourth-generation farmer who was raised with great respect for our lands and waters. His experiences as an engineer in the power sector, as well as the ethanol industry, made him acutely aware of the abuses and disregard by wealthy private special interests at the expense of us all. He now works to help restore degraded lands and farms outside of Griswold.
Samantha Williams | Co-President
Samantha was born in Des Moines and graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School. Earned a BS in Biology from Iowa State University, an AS in Biotechnology, and an AAS Medical Lab Technician degree from Des Moines Area Community College. Water quality has always been of interest since sampling waterways in the Des Moines area since high school, which led to an internship at Des Moines Water Works. She was motivated to join the Nishnabotna Water Defenders due to her passion for clean water advocacy and her commitment to protecting the Nishnabotna River. As a resident in Red Oak, her dedication was further fueled by the environmental challenges the river faced, including significant fish kills, which highlighted the urgent need for community action and sustainable solutions.
Jodi Reese | Secretary
Jodi believes water is a sacred, life-giving gift that should not be used for extractive purposes, as refuse, or a commodity. It is reasonable to expect unpolluted water for all creatures. Jodi is encouraged by the possibility of NWD and similar groups bringing people together to work on this common goal. Jodi lives in Griswold and is a nurse and grower who believes the foundation of well-being starts with what we consume, and that depends on clean food and water.
Vicki Nordskog | Treasurer
Vicki is retired from the Financial Services industry, where she was a strategic program manager for Wall Street investment firms and Wells Fargo Bank. She is a native of Cass County, Iowa, and upon her return to Atlantic after 43 years away, was greatly distressed by the changes in the Iowa landscape, its waterways, and the high incidence of cancer. She has a passion for conservation and wildlife habitat, and believes that Iowa’s children need to be able to experience the meandering streams and clean water that she played in as a child.
Denise O’Brien & Larry Harris | Board Members
Denise O’Brien and Larry Harris have been farming for years using organic practices. They believe that the earth is a gift and should be respected and honored for future generations.
Kevin Eicher | Board Member
Kevin is a husband, father, grandfather and retired truck driver. After wandering the world for many years he has come back to the hills of his youth and found that not all is well. He is deeply committed to Permaculture and regenerative agriculture methods. He and his wife are building a home and garden in Sidney Iowa they hope will bless their community. His desire is to leave these hills and waters in better shape for his grandchildren, and he is willing stand up and work for it.
