WDMWW - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- General Manager
- Member of the Management Team
- Professional Engineer
Ms. Murphy is a licensed professional engineer with experience and knowledge in water treatment, distribution and operations as well as environmental and regulatory matters. Formerly, she served as assistant director for the City of Ames Water & Pollution Control Department where she managed and implemented numerous capital projects including construction of a new 15 million-gallon-per-day (MGD) water treatment plant, development and integration of a new well field, installation of two miles of new raw water pipelines and construction of a new water tower. Ms. Murphy's impressive resume includes a five-year assignment with the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service; working as a senior engineer for a private firm; and serving as a lecturer at Purdue University. A native of St. Charles, Missouri, she holds a bachelor's and a master's degree in biological engineering from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She also is licensed in the state of Iowa as a Grade II operator for water treatment and a Grade II operator for distribution.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
- Trustee
Ms. Sheriff was appointed to the board in December 2020 for a six-year term that began on January 1, 2021 and expires December 31, 2026. The West Des Moines native has worked as an actuary with Principal Financial Group in pricing strategy for 13 years. She is highly skilled in pricing, reinsurance, risk management and financial reporting, with a strong knowledge of group insurance. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics from the University of Iowa and then started her career with Cigna Corp. in Hartford, Conn., where she worked as an actuarial manager for six years. She returned to Iowa in 2007 and is active in the community, volunteering with human rights organizations with an emphasis on racial equity and LGBTQ+ rights. She is also a life-long athlete who won a Gold Medal in the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) Women's World Championship in 2010.
Job Titles:
- Vice Chairperson of the Board of Trustees
Ms. Tegeler joined the board of WDMWW on January 1, 2013, and her term expires on December 31, 2024. She serves as chair of the finance and audit committee for the WDMWW board and is a member of the personnel and compensation committee. A Des Moines native, Ms. Tegeler graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in political science and master's degree in Urban and Regional Planning. She was director of the Iowa Department of Management, the Governor's planning, policy, and budgeting office, for eight years, and also served as Gov. Branstad's chief of staff. Ms. Tegeler served in the president's position for the Iowa Taxpayers Association and she was also vice president for Iowa with the American Cancer Society. Ms. Tegeler serves on the Unity Point Health-Eyerly Ball Community Mental Health Services board of directors.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
- Trustee
Following over forty years of Iowa local government experience Mr. Smith joined the board of WDMWW on July 1, 2016, and his second term expires on December 31, 2028. He serves as chair of the planning/regionalization committee for WDMWW and is also a member of the finance and audit committee. A native of Palo Alto County, Mr. Smith graduated from Buena Vista University in Storm Lake with a double major of History and Politico-Economic Systems. Before his 25 plus years serving in various City of West Des Moines management positions he served as city clerk-treasurer in Clinton, Iowa, and as mayor of Ayrshire, Iowa. Mr. Smith has a history of volunteering time and leadership with church, community, and service clubs as well as similar activities with a number of local government committees and entities. Mr. Smith is a Legion of Honor member of Kiwanis International and was inducted into the Iowa League of Cities Hall of Fame in 2001.
Job Titles:
- Business Relations Manager
Mr. Heggen has served as the business relations manager since February of 2015. In this role, he is leading the effort in automating the WDMWW's meter reading functions. He manages the utility's billing and payment system as well as customer service and the water meter technicians. Before joining the West Des Moines Water Works, Mr. Heggen served in other local government capacities with the City of Norwalk and Windsor Heights. He has also worked for the State of Iowa with the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service and Governor Tom Vilsack's Office. He earned a bachelor's degree in public administration and political science from the University of Northern Iowa and holds a master's degree in public administration from Drake University.
Job Titles:
- Principal Engineer
- Professional Engineer
Mr. Hammes is a licensed professional engineer with experience in municipal water plant operations, engineering, and management. In his role of principal engineer, Mr. Hammes manages projects related to wells, towers, pump stations, and the treatment plant. Formerly, he worked for a municipality an engineer, water plant superintendent, and assistant director. As superintendent, he began and managed a student operator program that gave many students their first opportunity to work in the water industry. He also was involved in the planning, design, construction, start-up, and operation of a new water plant for this same municipality. Mr. Hammes holds a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from the University of Iowa, where he began as a student operator. In addition, he holds Grade 4 Water Treatment and Grade 4 Water Distribution licenses and has been active in industry associations. This includes serving on the IA-AWWA Board for six years, elected as chair in 2021-2022.
Job Titles:
- Water Distribution Manager
Mr. Hanasz has been with the West Des Moines Water Works since 1994, beginning as a water meter reader and working his way to the Water Distribution Manager position in 2012. As Water Distribution Manager, Mr. Hanasz is responsible for the maintenance and operation of over 240 miles of water main, 2750 fire hydrants, and 3135 valves in the public water supply system. Additionally, Mr. Hanasz is responsible for the investigation and repair of water main breaks, ensuring service to customers is returned in a safe and expedient manner. Mr. Hanasz currently holds a Grade 3 license from the State of Iowa in Water Distribution.
Mr. Pinkerton has been with WDMWW since 1983, with in depth experience in the operation and management of water treatment and water distribution systems. Mr. Pinkerton was the Water Production Supervisor at the A.C. Ward Municipal Water Treatment Plant before becoming the Water Production Manager in 2010. As Water Production Manager, Mr. Pinkerton is responsible for operation and maintenance of water treatment, storage, and pumping facilities. Mr. Pinkerton is also responsible for maintaining a state-certified laboratory facility and ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations for water quality and sampling. Mr. Pinkerton has earned Grade 4 licenses from the State of Iowa for Water Treatment and Water Distribution.
Ms. Mullenbach joined WDMWW in April 2019. She brings an extensive background in finance, accounting and business leadership to the position, most recently serving in the role of chief financial officer (CFO) for Goodwill Industries of Central Iowa for seven years.
Before that, Ms. Mullenbach held the position of CFO with the State of Iowa's Department of Administrative Services. She earned a bachelor's degree in accounting from Simpson College and a master's degree in business leadership from William Penn University.
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Board of Trustees
Mr. Brennan was appointed to the board on February 1, 2013, to a term that expires on December 31, 2027. Mr. Brennan serves as the chair of the personnel and compensation committee and a member of the planning/regionalization committee for the WDMWW board of trustees. Mr. Brennan is a senior shareholder of the Davis Brown Law Firm. A member of the litigation division, he has a general practice in, but not limited to, litigation matters concerning business litigation, construction litigation, administrative matters and insurance defense. Scott has served numerous terms on his firm's board of directors and currently serves as the chair of the firm's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Pro Bono Committees. He served two terms as chair of the Iowa Democratic Party and is currently one of Iowa's two elected representatives to the Democratic National Committee. Scott's wife, Elizabeth, is a long time member of the West Des Moines Board of Education.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
- Trustee
Mr. Ohmart joined the board in January 1, 2024 for a six-year term that concludes on December 31, 2030. A long-time resident and business owner in West Des Moines, Mr. Ohmart has served the community in several capacities including five terms on the West Des Moines City Council. A passionate advocate for youth sports and quality-of-life initiatives, he spent 12 years on the West Des Moines Parks and Recreation Advisory Board-10 of which he served as chairman. Mr. Ohmart also represented West Des Moines as chairman of the Metro Planning Organization (MPO) and vice chairman of the Wastewater Reclamation Authority (WRA). In 2014, then Mayor Steve Gaer named Mr. Ohmart West Des Moines Citizen of the Year.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Management Team
- Principal Engineer - Water Distribution and Development
- Professional Engineer in Iowa
Mr. Mabuce is a licensed professional engineer in Iowa and Minnesota with more than twenty years of engineering experience working on a variety of water and municipal engineering projects. In his role at the Water Works, he oversees all facets of the utility's construction projects (outside of the treatment plant) including planning, design, bidding, monitoring and assessment. Before joining WDMWW, Mr. Mabuce worked as an engineer and project manager for two area engineering firms. He is a past-president of the Iowa Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers. He has earned a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from the University of Minnesota, a bachelor of arts degree from Luther College, and a Master's degree in Business Administration from the University of Iowa. Mr. Mabuce has earned a Professional Operator designation in Water Distribution (Grade IV). Mr. Mabuce currently holds a Grade 4 Water Distribution and Grade 2 Water Treatment licenses from the State of Iowa.