Board of Directors

2026 Board of Directors

Executive Board

Linda Hirsch - President
JJ Lueck - Vice President
Mark Zito - Secretary
Rebecca Peters - Treasurer

Babs Liesveld
John Lundell
John Wills
Anne Slattery
Joleen Koch
Jessica Garvin
Deborah Lanners
Denise Barry
Ryan Maris
Nile Skogerboe
Dr. John Fieselmann
Joe Tiefenthaler
Melissa Steffes


Friends of Lakeside Lab Staff
Betsy Riley - Executive Director

Lakeside Lab Executive Director
Dr. Mary Skopec

Board of Regents Liaison
Rachel Boon

Directors Emeritus

Robert Barak
Tom Bedell
Don Brown
Neal Conover
Carole Lea Cotton
Greg Drees
Karen Goodenow
Randy Gould
Joan Gronstal
Drew Hutchinson
Kathy Kleen
Barbara Mendenhall
Mary Jean Montgomery
Ann Mugge
Chris Oponski
Mary Louise Petersen
Janice Richards
Sue Richter
Lee Schoenewe
David Shumway*
Judy Thoreson*
Heidi Toale
Jeani Eich Voss
Margy Wood

*their legacy lives on through the Friends of Lakeside Lab

John Lundell is a Fort Dodge native and has vacationed on Big Spirit Lake with his family since they were born. In 2020 John & his wife, Diana, purchased a cottage on the south shore of BSL, where his grandparents and parents had also owned cottages on BSL. John spent 20+ years as a researcher in the UI College of Public Health, served on the Coralville City Council for ten years and as Mayor for eight years. He has been recognized as a water quality advocate & was introduced to Lakeside through collaboration with Iowa Lakeside Director Mary Skopec on a permeable paver driveway project.
Deborah Lanners
I grew up in a small town in eastern Iowa, and my husband (Justin) and I have lived in Spirit Lake, in the Iowa Great Lakes area, for the past 19 years. We briefly relocated to Waukee, IA, for 2.5 years, but ultimately returned to Spirit Lake to raise our family. We have two children who attend Spirit Lake schools. I’ve been in banking for over 19 years, currently working at Northwest Bank. I am involved in a few other committees in addition to Friends of Lakeside as I take pride in giving back to my community and am dedicated to both my career at Northwest Bank and the impactful organizations I support.
Jeremy "JJ" Lueck is a full-year resident of Arnolds Park with his wife, Lori Eich, and their two dogs, Stitch and Porkchop. He is a computer programmer by trade, having studied Computer Science at MIT, and is currently working remotely for campspot.com. He fell in love with the Okoboji area in his youth, traveling each summer from his hometown of Washington, Iowa, to the Methodist Camp on West Lake. As a lover of science and technology, the Lakeside Laboratory provides a unique outlet for continual learning. He has participated in CLAMP and summer lectures prior to becoming a Friends board member.
Joseph M. Tiefenthaler is a Lakes Area native and nonprofit arts professional. After graduating from the University of Iowa, Joe was heavily involved in the Iowa City arts and nonprofit scene for many years. Joe’s nonprofit expertise has been instrumental in orchestrating our Taproots program, which is designed to build community partnerships with — and raise funds and recognition for — Lakes Area organizations, as well as our Blue Taps = Blue Water program, which — in partnership with Doll Distributing — donates a portion of proceeds from every beer poured through a blue tap at your favorite bar or restaurant to protect and improve regional waterways.