INHF welcomes Greg Grupp as new chair; other board moves
By Joe Jayjack on October 31, 2023 in Press Center
Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation welcomes a new chair to its board of directors. Greg Grupp steps into the position after serving on the INHF board for the last 10 years, most recently as 1st Vice Chair and chair of the Development Committee.
Grupp grew up in Mason City, gaining an appreciation for nature at a young age while fishing, hunting and camping with his father and working on his grandfather’s farm. He worked as a banker in Sioux City, where he also served as the director of the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce and on the Woodbury County Conservation board.
Grupp moved to Spirit Lake after retiring, where he enjoys helping to steward INHF-owned properties and introducing people these special places.
“I’m excited to get to work even more closely with Greg as chair over the next two years. He has already been an amazing ambassador for INHF and our mission for years, and his leadership, passion and vision will serve us well as chair,” said INHF President Joe McGovern.
Grupp replaces John Fisher, who served as chair from 2021-2023 and will remain on the board.
“I would also like to thank John Fisher for his service as chair of the board over the last two years," McGovern said. "John served at a critical time in our organization, and his dedication and enthusiasm for our work has been invaluable.”
Fisher, of Des Moines, served as chair during some of the largest projects in INHF’s history, including the opening of The Narrows Preserve on East Okoboji Lake, the purchase of Little Sioux Scout Ranch in the Loess Hills and a $2 million fundraising campaign, and the purchase of Brenton Slough, beginning an effort to permanently protect and open it to the public.
Other board moves
INHF welcomes Peter Brown to its board of directors. Brown was born and raised in Des Moines. He is a graduate of the University of Denver and Drake University Law School. He has been a commercial real estate agent in Des Moines for 35 years. He loves to fish, hunt, bike and paddle all over Iowa, and he has supported INHF’s mission for decades.
We would also like to thank two board members who are ending their term of service with INHF: Kirsten Heine of Decorah, who has served as an advisor and then board member since 2006; and Jeff Lockwood, who has been on the board since 2017. We are grateful for their time, expertise and devotion to helping to protect and restore Iowa’s land, water and wildlife.
See a full list of INHF board members here and browse through our series of board spotlights here.