ISHS Executive Committee

Jason works at Grinnell College overseeing the Golf Course and athletic fields.  He enjoys all areas of horticulture and looks forward to serving and giving back to ISHS. Jason lives in Grinnell with his wife Kara and son Jase; in his spare time he enjoys spending time with his family. 

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Dan Fillius 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. 

Mike Gooder 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. Plantpeddler’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 

Sarah Rummery 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. 

Mark has served as Executive Director of Iowa Arboretum & Gardens

since the fall of 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,

where he helped develop educational and conservation-focused

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.

Neric Smith 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.   

Doug Struyk is a partner in the Carney and 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. Doug also 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 and Appleby in 2013 and becoming a partner in 2015. His practice is focused on lobbing, administrative law, drainage law, and business organizations. The 2026 session is his 24th legislative session at the Capitol.

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.