Jeff Lucas, a native of Fort Madison, Iowa, is a proud alumnus of Iowa State University, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree. Jeff has a heart for service and a talent for collaboration. Throughout his career, Jeff has embraced diverse experiences across the United States, from the high desert landscapes of Idaho to the vibrant music scene of Nashville, Tennessee. His professional journey includes managing a non-profit organization dedicated to raising beef cattle for food banks and pantries and serving as the Marketing Director at YSS, a substance abuse treatment center. Most recently, he excelled as the Chief Operations Officer for a leading livestock trailer manufacturer. Jeff's passions include bass fishing, travel, family time, and rodeo. Alongside his wife, Brooke, Jeff enjoys life with their one-year-old daughter, Emmy Lu, and their Australian Shepherd, Khloe. Now, he is excited to embark on a new chapter with IAWA.
Rebekah drives the communication of water quality needs and strategies. As a journalist, Rebekah previously told stories around the country - talking to farmers in Iowa about the cost of land, growers in California about fruit production, and hearing from small business owners in Alabama about the importance of coastal conservation. In Colorado Springs, Rebekah anchored the weekday morning newscast for the CBS affiliate for four years and won a Regional Edward R Murrow award for her documentary. IAWA brings Rebekah back to her roots. She was raised on a farm in Northeast Iowa and will always remember when her dad took her out to the fields, put soil in her hands, and explained what kind of topsoil is the backbone of their farm. She and her husband, Ryan, bought a farm with their family in 2022. Together they’re planning conservation strategies to protect the soil and water for years to come.
Rudy specializes in operations and project management and works with the team to coordinate ongoing projects and deliverables. With more than 10 years of experience managing various operations and projects within the home mortgage department of a national bank, Rudy has a diverse background adjusting to the changing needs of day-to-day operations and projects. Having grown up in a small town in Northwest Iowa on the Big Sioux River, Rudy developed a passion for conservation after spending much of his childhood fishing the river or local sand pits and hunting along terraces for pheasants. He brings these experiences to his role and looks forward to working with IAWA partners and the team to further conservation in Iowa.
Adam supports communications efforts for IAWA and partners, combining his experience as a journalist with an interest in agriculture and conservation. Born and raised in central Iowa, Adam developed an interest in writing as a student at West Marshall Schools in State Center. He took his interest in storytelling down Highway 30, earning a degree in journalism and mass communication from Iowa State University. In his roles as an award-winning journalist and school communications leader, Adam has continued to grow as a writer and content creator. He is especially proud of his farming and conservation coverage for Marshalltown’s Times-Republican newspaper. Adam is an avid fisherman and enjoys hunting and hiking all over Iowa. As a new father, Adam is now more than ever committed to using his skills to support, in concert with IAWA’s partners, efforts to improve Iowa’s water quality for future generations.