DES MOINES, IA (Oct. 20, 2021) – Iowa Confluence Water Trails — ICON for short — hosted its first board of directors meeting as an independent 501(c)(3) last week. Originally the Central Iowa Water Trails LLC, this governing entity now oversees the initiative to connect 80+ improvements across 150 miles of waterways.

ICON is a collective, regional effort with more than a dozen participating jurisdictions. Its board of directors is a slate of leaders representing both the public and private sectors. Members oversee ICON’s operations and maintenance, including budget, governance and project coordination. The board of directors includes:

•  Bob Andeweg, Mayor, City of Urbandale

•  Rona Berinobis, VP Corporate Social Responsibility & Organizational Development, Athene

•  Pat Boddy, Conservation & Recreation Advocate

•  Angela Connolly, Polk County Board of Supervisors

•  Chris Costa, President & CEO, Knapp Properties

•  Frank Cownie, Mayor, City of Des Moines

•  Paula Dierenfeld, Mayor, City of Johnston

•  Greg Edwards, President & CEO, Catch Des Moines

•  Joe Gatto, Councilmember, City of Des Moines

•  Tom Hockensmith, Polk County Board of Supervisors

•  Nate Hoogeveen, Director of River Programs, Iowa DNR

•  Dan Houston, President & CEO, Principal Financial Group

•  Hannah Inman, CEO, Great Outdoors Foundation

•  Kathryn Kunert, VP Economic Connections and Integration, MidAmerican Energy

•  Rich Leopold, Director, Polk County Conservation

•  Jaki Livingston, Councilmember, City of Norwalk

•  Matt McKinney, Councilmember, City of West Des Moines

•  Angela McKenzie, Councilmember, City of Bondurant

•  Dean O’Connor, Mayor, City of Altoona

•  Doug Romig, Deputy Director, Polk County Conservation

•  Jeff Rommel, Senior Vice President – Property & Casualty Sales, Nationwide

•  Rick Tollakson, President & CEO, Hubbell Realty Company

•  Ted Weaver, Councilmember, City of Clive

•  Windsor Heights Representative, TBD

“It’s exciting to have this group together and leading the charge for ICON,” Maggie McClelland, Director of ICON Water Trails, said “We are fortunate to have such impactful, collaborative individuals supporting the project and its goals.”

The ICON Water Trails board of directors meets bi-monthly, the second Tuesday of the month. Upcoming meetings are scheduled for Dec. 14, Feb. 8, April 12 and June 14. Please contact Maggie McClelland at maggie@iconwatertrails.com for agenda information.

About ICON Water Trails

Iowa Confluence Water Trails — ICON, for short — will connect 80+ improvements across 150 miles of rivers and creeks in Central Iowa. Initiated by the Central Iowa Water Trails Consortium, including Capital Crossroads, Catch Des Moines, the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, Des Moines Area MPO, Greater Des Moines Partnership and the Great Outdoors Foundation, ICON represents a new commitment to water safety and conservation as well as a concerted effort to drive economic development, visitor attraction and workforce retention. Follow along on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.