Press Release

For immediate release: June 17, 2013 Contact: Brad Freidhof, Naturalist Johnson County Conservation Department Phone: (319) 645-213 (319) 645-1011 (319) 331-7513 E-mail: bfreidhof@co.johnson.ia.us Larry Gullett Selected as the New Johnson County Conservation Director The Johnson County Conservation Board announces that Larry L. Gullett has been selected for the position of Executive Director beginning July 1, 2013. He will succeed Harry L Graves who will retire on June 28 after serving 12 years as the Executive Director. Larry has over 25 years of experience working in conservation and currently serves as the Jones County Conservation Board Executive Director. The Johnson County Conservation Board, established in 1964 by the citizens of Johnson county, manages a variety of natural resources and outdoor recreation areas throughout the county including native prairies, river access areas, small community parks, and the 1,082 acre F.W. Kent Park. Larry Gullett will be only the third Executive Director in the history of the Johnson County Conservation Board with Rod Dunlap serving as the first Director from 1970 to 2001 and Harry Graves serving from January, 2001 to June 2012. Gullett is a graduate of Iowa State University majoring in Fisheries and Wildlife Biology and Environmental Studies. He began his conservation career as a naturalist and park ranger in Dallas County before becoming the Executive Director of the Jones County Conservation Board in 2004. During employment in Dallas County, he founded and directed Prairie Awakening, a project that involved Native Americans from 9 states and Canada in a weeklong music, dance and story-telling event integrating Native American traditions and cultural with prairie restoration. In Jones County, he has led the restoration of native and re-constructed prairies, wetlands, savanna areas and pond and lakes and worked to adopt sensitive design standards for recreational use of public areas along the scenic Maquoketa River system. Part of his duties included development of management and strategic plans to work with rock climbing interests, paddlers and lake users in sensitive environmental areas and lake restoration efforts.

He currently serves on the State of Iowa Water Trails Advisory Committee and is a member of the Board of Directors of Iowa Rivers Revival. He also has been a project leader and facilitator of a number of other state and local committees that have established a variety of water and hard surfaced trails and natural areas. Larry is experienced in working with community organizations, government agencies and the public to create and nurture conservation programs. He has written and administered more than 45 successful grant applications from federal, state and non-profit sources, resulting in more than $6 million in outside funding. Larry and his wife, Connie, are currently planning their move to Johnson County. He has two boys, Ryan, who works in Hiawatha, and Cody, who is attending Central College in Pella. The whole family is excited and looking forward to living in Johnson County. Larry is especially looking forward to meeting and working with the entire staff and volunteers of the Conservation Department. Larry can be reached after July 1st at the Johnson County Conservation Headquarters at (319) 645-2315. He will also be accessible by email at lgullett@co.johnson.ia.us or by cell phone at (319) 400-1270. -30-