Staff & Board
Staff and Board Members
Board of Directors
A 9-member board of directors makes fiduciary and policy decisions guided by these six commitments:
- Promoting horticultural and environmental stewardship
- Building the infrastructure of our free public garden space
- Enhancing learning opportunities for members and guests
- Being inviting to all
- Being responsible stewards of our resources
- Achieving excellence in all that we do9
Board
Board Members
Doug Marty
Doug grew up in Deerfield Illinois and spent every summer in Clear Lake at a cottage on the North Shore (the cottage by the golf course with the Hollyhocks). He attended Drake University where he met his future bride Laura Marty (the real gardener in the family). They made their home in Northern Virginia as Laura had their two children and Doug started the first part of his career at Anderson Consulting building computer systems for banks and investment houses. After a number of years of travel, they decided that they wanted a different lifestyle and they moved to Williamsburg Virginia where Doug started the second part of his career as an executive in historic museums, spending 20 years with The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, followed by five years at the Minnesota Historical Society as Deputy Director. Doug retired in 2020 during the pandemic and he and Laura moved to Clear Lake. Their daughter lives in California and is a wildland firefighter. Their son lives in North Carolina and is a research scientist. Having spent many summer evenings strolling the grounds of the Central Gardens over the past 20 years, Doug is happy to be joining the organization.
David Burgart
David grew up on a family farm in northeast Iowa that was self-sufficient with milk cows, chickens, beef cattle, hogs and a large garden and orchard. He retired in 2016 after 40 years working as a software engineer. David and his wife, Jeanne, who is also a volunteer at Central Gardens, have four children and five grandchildren. Their children are spread out around the United States; Cedar Rapids, IA, Los Altos, CA, Yarmouth, Maine and Arvada, CO, so he and Jeanne get plenty of opportunities for travel to visit them. David loves visits with his grandchildren, camping, canoeing, gardening, reading, and volunteering for other organizations such as the RSVP and SHIIP. David began volunteering at the Gardens in 2014 and joined the Central Gardens board of directors in November 2019. He is looking forward to helping Central Gardens grow and succeed in its third decade of operation. He and Jeanne currently live in Clear Lake.
Amy Beenken
Amy moved to Clear Lake withher family in2018. After graduating from Simpson College with a degree in accounting, Amy worked for 14 years in public accounting as a licensed CPA. She joined Clear Lake Bank & Trust in May 2023 as the controller. In the past, she has served on the Algona First United Methodist Church Finance Committee and helped with Vacation Bible School, as well as volunteered as a Y-Pal at the Algona Family YMCA. Amy, her husband, Jared, and their three children enjoy spending the summer boating and enjoy the many events Clear Lake offers year-round.
Anne Eldridge
Anne recently retired from her career as Executive Assistant to the CEOs of National Bank of Arizona (Phoenix, Arizona) and California Bank and Trust (Irvine, California). Anne and her husband Ron, have five children and six grandchildren, who live in Seattle, Los Angeles and Phoenix.
Anne’s love for Clear Lake began early. Her grandparents had a home on South Shore Drive and she spent several weeks every summer in wonderful Clear Lake, Iowa. A few years ago, Anne and Ron decided to buy a summer home here in Clear Lake. Their “summer” home has turned into a “forever” home. Although they will stay in Phoenix during the coldest winter months, they plan to spend more and more time in Iowa.
Anne is excited to be a part of the Central Gardens of North Iowa and plans to enlist Ron to volunteer at the Gardens as well.
Tyler Weigel
Tyler is the newest member to join the Central Gardens board of directors. Tyler was born and raised in Clear Lake and then attended the University of Northern Iowa. From there he moved to Minneapolis for a few years working in the insurance sector before returning to Clear Lake to work for CLB&T Insurance in 2013. Tyler married his wife Britney in 2016 and they have two sons, William and Joseph. Tyler and his family can be found around the community taking in all the events and attractions Clear Lake has to offer year-round. Tyler is also involved in the Clear Lake Jaycees and the Clear Lake Noon Lions. He looks forward to getting more involved with Central Gardens and giving back to a great asset that Clear Lake offers.
Michelle Holdredge
Michelle received a degree in communications from Iowa State University and a master’s degree from Truman State University (formerly known as Northeast Missouri State University). She spent the next 12 years as a Speech Pathologist at Northern Trails Area Education Agency, before becoming a real estate agent in the Ames area. She is currently at Lakeside Brokers.
In 2002, Michelle and her husband, Brian, bought their first cabin in Clear Lake and became full time residents in 2012. Brian owns and operates Holdredge Construction LLC, but also helps Michelle with her decorating endeavors. They have two children, Bryce (Clear Lake) and Mickenna (West Des Moines). And just welcomed their first grandbaby, Brevin, in 2024!
Michelle has been a volunteer at Central Gardens since 2018. Helping with many events, including Fresh on Friday bouquets, designing annual beds and containers, floral arrangements for special events, and decorations for the holidays.
Jennifer Merfeld
Jennifer and her husband Bob moved to Clear Lake after graduating from Iowa State University. Together, they raised three active children while Jennifer worked as a marketing professional in the technology sector, and Bob made his career in the agriculture industry. As a long-time resident, Jennifer has volunteered for a variety of events and organizations, including as a youth soccer coach for North Iowa Soccer Club and as a member of the Clear Lake Parks and Recreation board. Having been raised in a small town nearby, Jennifer spent many weekends and summers in Clear Lake and continues to enjoy its beauty and charm.
Vernon Johnson
Vernon and his wife Heather moved to Clear Lake in 2005 becoming active in the community as youth coaches in basketball and volleyball. Vernon works at Kingland in the marketing department and has volunteered for a variety of events and organizations such as North Iowa Fire, the Clear Lake Wellness and Recreation facility and Tri Clear Lake. Vernon and Heather have three daughters.
Debby Friedrichs
Born and raised in Marshalltown, Iowa, Debby graduated from high school in 1972 and went on to receive a bachelor’s degree from the University of Northern Iowa in 1976. She and Bob were married in 1978 and moved to Davenport while he attended chiropractic college. Their daughter Jessica was born in Davenport. The family moved to Mason city in 1982 and a son, Joseph, was born shortly thereafter. Debby attended massage therapy school and worked as a massage therapist for 25 years alongside her husband in the chiropractic practice. The couple retired in 2022.
In 2013, she completed the Master Gardener program through Iowa State University and she finished the Master Conservation program through Iowa State in 2018. Debby served on the Lime Creek Nature Center board of directors from 2018 to 2024. She also worked at the Boyer Wellness Center as a lifeguard for a year and a half and retired from that in September 2024.
Ranae Long
Ranae grew up in rural Latimer and graduated from CAL Community School. In 2002. She married Derek Long and moved to Key West, Florida after reenlisting in the Coast Guard. The couple spent the next 5 years in Key West where Ranae worked as a banquet captain for the Casa Marina and Westin Resorts planning and organizing weddings and large group events. Ranae and Derek spent the next 4 years in Harlingen, Texas where Ranae was the Food and Beverage Director for Valley Race Park, managing daily operations for the restaurant, bars, and banquet facilities.
In 2011, Ranae and Derek along with their two sons; Reese and Christopher, moved to Clear Lake. Since moving back to Iowa, Ranae has worked as the Dietary Manager at the Sheffield Care Center and the Kitchen Manager at Prairie Ridge in Mason City. Ranae is currently working with Mason City Schools as a paraprofessional and a substitute teacher at Pinecrest Center. In her spare time Ranae enjoys spending time with her sons and her four grandchildren Luna, Elijah, Logan, and Lyla. She also loves to travel with her husband, Derek, and spending time with her friends.
Help Us!
Volunteer
Learn about ways you can help us out at the gardens. We are always looking for volunteers throughout the season.
Staff
Staff Members
Joni Frederick
Since retiring as a corporate negotiator with Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield in Des Moines and relocating to Clear Lake in 2016, Central Gardens has been one of Joni’s favorite places in north Iowa. She has served the Gardens since 2017 as a committee member for the annual garden party and now serves as its part-time development coordinator. Local music, cooking, and caring for plants and gardens are some of Joni’s other interests.
Nikki Johnson
Nikki and her husband Rick are both from Belmond, Iowa and recently moved to Latimer. Nikki joined the Central Gardens team in June of 2021 as Office Coordinator, and is excited to help CGNI continue to provide abundant educational, recreational and cultural programs for our communities to enjoy.
Nikki is also the Educational Coordinator for the Surf Ballroom & Museum in Clear Lake, carrying out all educational and community outreach programs.
Nikki and her husband are excited to welcome their daughter to the world in September.
Nikki also enjoys volunteering at local animal shelters, doing anything outdoors, playing music, cooking, and baking.