Board of Directors

Lead Worker Turf & Irrigation Specialist Golf Course Superintendent/Athletic Field Manager, Grinnell College

Founder & Curator, The Public Horticulture Company

IDALS Ag Diversification Bureau 

Dan is the statewide field specialist for commercial vegetables and specialty crops with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Before joining Extension, Dan grew organic vegetables for 13 years including stints managing the Michigan State University Student Organic Farm and 140 acres of vegetables at Featherstone Farm. 

Doug is a partner in the Carney & Appleby Law firm in Des Moines. He has over two decades of government relations experience including time as a lawyer, lobbyist, and legislator. Doug received his Juris Doctorate from Creighton University School of Law in 1996 with Cum Laude honors and was admitted to the Iowa Bar in June of 1996. After graduating from law school, Doug was Chief of the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s Agricultural Diversification Bureau. In 2002, Doug was elected to the Iowa House representing Council Bluffs. Doug retired from the House in 2010. In November of 2010, Doug was named Chief Legal Counsel to the Iowa Secretary of State’s office and served as the office’s senior legislative liaison. In May of 2012, he was selected by the Speaker of the House to serve as his Executive Officer, a position Doug held until joining Carney & Appleby in 2013 and becoming a partner in 2015. His practice is focused on lobbying, administrative law, drainage law, and business organizations. The 2026 session is his 24th legislative session at the Capitol.

Gary began his golf course maintenance career at age 18 and went on to serve as a golf course superintendent and club manager, including 23 years at Ottumwa Country Club. A Certified Golf Course Superintendent, he received numerous industry honors, including Superintendent of the Year awards from both the Iowa Golf Course Superintendents Association and Iowa Golf Association.

Twedt became involved with the Iowa State Horticultural Society in 1992 as a representative of the IGCSA. After serving in several officer positions, he became ISHS President in 2003 and served in that role through 2025. During his tenure, he maintained the ISHS website and helped organize three successful All Iowa Horticulture Expositions. He received the ISHS Merit and Honor Award.

Twedt retired professionally in 2017 and continues his interests in horticulture, wildlife art, and photography through Reel Graphics LLC.

Mark has served as Executive Director of Iowa Arboretum & Gardens since 2011. During his tenure, he has led significant growth and transformation, expanding gardens and collections, strengthening educational programming, and deepening the Arboretum’s role as a community resource. Under his leadership, the organization has enhanced its mission of connecting people of all ages with nature

through engaging programs, special events, conservation efforts, and

accessible garden spaces designed to welcome and inspire every visitor.

Before joining the Arboretum, Mark spent 32 years at the Virginia Zoo, developing educational and conservation initiatives.

He holds an undergraduate degree in horticulture from the University of

Delaware, a Master’s degree in Human Resource Development from George Washington University, and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Old Dominion University.

Mark lives in Ames with his wife, Phyllis. They have two children.

Mike is president and co-owner (wife Rachel) of Plantpeddler, located in Cresco Iowa, and has been in business since 1980, with son John joining in 2014. Plant peddler’s Young Plant division is a major propagator of vegetative genetics with industry leadership in Begonias. The Wholesale division focuses on premium retail-ready products from Spring through Christmas. Founded in retail, Plantpeddler opened a new retail operation in the Fall of 2025. Mike is a graduate of Horticulture from Iowa State University, involved in several industry groups including serving as a Board of Director for AmericanHort, Iowa State University CARET representative, Board of Director for Iowa State Horticulture Society, a recipient of the National Horticulture Leadership Award, and speaks on a wide range of horticultural and business topics regionally and nationally. Mike is available at mikeg@plantpeddler.com 

Neric is a Program Director and Professor of Agricultural Sciences at Indian Hills Community College in Centerville, IA. He teaches courses related to Agronomy and Horticulture along with helping manage the College’s Agriculture Learning Labs/Farms. Prior to Indian Hills, he started his career working on golf courses then for Iowa State University Extension as a County Extension Director and Horticulture Field Specialist.   

Randall serves as the Commercial Fruit Crops Field Specialist for Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, supporting commercial fruit and other horticultural growers across Iowa with research-based technical assistance. He is currently involved in projects focused on practical production solutions and improving nutritional outcomes for regional growers.

Before joining Extension, Randall worked as a production manager at a wholesale greenhouse, conducted fertilizer research, and served as program chair of the DMACC Horticulture Department, where he also taught courses in horticultural production.

 Sarah is the Associate Director of Reiman Gardens of Iowa State University.  With degrees in Horticulture and Business Administration, she works passionately towards making Reiman Gardens one of the country’s premier university gardens. When not tackling Garden projects, she’s cheering on her daughters at the soccer fields or pool deck, traveling with her husband, or trying to find rest.