SILOS & SMOKESTACKS NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Retired Community Resources Director for Iowa Farm Bureau, Clive, I
Job Titles:
- Director of Partnership
- Director of Partnerships
Candy Welch-Streed is a native Iowan, originally from Maquoketa, and she makes her home in Waterloo with her two sons, Clayton and Jackson. In 1994, she made one of the best decisions of her life, to join the AmeriCorps Program, where she was employed by USDA. It was during that service that she found her career with Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area. Candy has twenty years of heritage development experience. She is currently Director of Partnerships for Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area and is responsible for helping the 37-county region and its partners preserve and share their agricultural stories. She directly manages their grant and partner programs, interpretation, historic preservation and technical assistance efforts. Candy is proud to be a part of preserving American traditions and stories and helping Iowans connect with their heritage. It is her personal mission to be a part of making Iowa a great place to live.
Job Titles:
- Executive
- Executive Director
Cara Miller has enjoyed a career as a non-profit executive for more than 30 years. She has extensive experience in leadership and management of 501c3 organizations with a strong emphasis in fund development. Cara has an excellent understanding of the structures and processes necessary to run a successful non-profit organization including management, board leadership, supervision, and all aspects of development. She has hands on development experience including annual fund, grants, major gifts and special events. Cara is skilled in partnering with trustees, staff, and volunteers to successfully meet organizational and development goals. Cara grew up in a small rural community in central Iowa and is a graduate of the University of Iowa. She has a grown daughter, Gracelyn, who lives in Atlanta, GA., two grown cats that live with her in Waterloo, and she enjoys visiting friends and family in Iowa and around the country.
Carol Klein joined Silos & Smokestacks in January 2000. Her current responsibilities include; Finance, Human Resource Management and Accounting & Administration. Carol has several years of experience in accounting and administrative positions in the banking, insurance and financial planning industry. Raised on a family farm in rural Black Hawk County, Carol holds a degree in Accounting & Management. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, especially her active grandchildren.
Job Titles:
- Iowa Board of Regents, State Relations Officer for Iowa State University, Bondurant, IA
Job Titles:
- Director of Industry Relations, Iowa Beef Industry Council, Eldora, IA
Job Titles:
- Assistant Planner for the City of Dubuque, Dubuque, IA
Eileen Salkowski joined Silos & Smokestacks in October 2018. Her duties include office administration as well as reporting to the Executive Director and correspondence with the SSNHA Board of Trustees. She is a native Iowan and graduate of Iowa State University with a BFA in Graphic Design. Eileen was raised on a family farm in northeast Iowa and after 12+ years managing in the retail and design industries is excited to contribute to the agricultural story. Eileen and her husband are raising their four children in Waterloo.
Job Titles:
- Executive Director of Professional Technical Education - Waterloo Schools, Waterloo, IA
Job Titles:
- Owner, Frazier Tree Nursery, Vinton, IA
Job Titles:
- Marketing & Communications Director
- Communications & Marketing Director
Jori Wade-Booth has nearly 18 years experience in communications, public relations, publishing, product development, graphic design and fundraising. Formerly, Jori served as Public Affairs Coordinator for University of Northern Iowa Museums where she was responsible for planning and executing media relations, public programming and promoting featured exhibits. Most recently, she worked as Director of Development for Self-Help International, a Waverly-based non-profit. Currently Jori serves on the Eastern Iowa Tourism Board of Directors and the Waverly Tourism Committee. A native of Newton, Iowa, Wade-Booth graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a degree in English and a minor in creative writing. Jori has made her home in northeast Iowa with her husband, beautiful daughter and their rescue pup Petey.
Job Titles:
- Communications Director, Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship, Des Moines, IA
Job Titles:
- Educational Engagement Director
Growing up on a family farm and currently involved in the farming operation, Laura Elfers can assist you in discovering the many agriculture stories you can tell at your site. Working in the county government environment for over ten years, she can help navigate your obstacles. However if you are needing help with brochures, exhibits, interpretive panels, gathering volunteer support, or how to make your site attractive to educators, her fourteen years of experience will be able to guide you.
Job Titles:
- Adjunct Professor at Hawkeye Community College, Waterloo, IA
Job Titles:
- Architectural Historian, Ames, IA
Job Titles:
- Director of Sales & Dealer Development, AG LOGIC, Parkersburg, IA