Board of Directors (2023)
Kevin Kreis
Operational Risk Consultant, Wells Fargo
Chairman, Past Vice Chairman, Outreach Committee Chair and Treasurer
I joined the Grimes Storehouse project in 2018 as a member of the Physical Space committee leading the search to find a new location where we could expand the food pantry and better serve our community. Once we moved into our present site, I joined the outreach committee and currently serve as the chairperson.
I maintain the Storehouse Facebook page and handle communications received through the page’s Messenger. I also get to attend local events and share information about our mission to feed the community. I love telling our story and talking with people about utilizing the Storehouse’s services or getting involved with volunteering or donating. I volunteer at the Storehouse as often as I can, and have enjoyed visiting with our clients and hearing their stories.
Along with serving on the Storehouse board, I’m also a member of the Grimes Lions Club, a volunteer coach for several of my two sons’ youth sports teams, and I’m a member of the Youth Ministry team at Grimes United Methodist Church.
Cynthia P. Letsch, J.D
Managing Attorney, VA Accredited Attorney #31933
Vice Chairman
Following graduation from Drake University Law school (1995) my husband and I originally moved to Grimes in 1997, trailing family members that had already moved here. My first law practice was on Main Street, before there were any stop-lights in town. Since then, my family has undergone nearly as many changes as Grimes has!
I moved to my current law office location in 2014, which is now next door to the Grimes Storehouse. I have been so blessed with amazing staff, which has grown to 5 employees, mostly also from Grimes. As we continue to grow, we feel so blessed to have the privilege to serve the clients we encounter while working in the areas of elder law, estate planning, and post death. Our mission is to provide legal services and education with compassion and understanding. I have been a member of the Grimes Chamber and Economic Development for many years, previously serving as an ambassador. I have had the honor to serve as Chairperson of the Grimes Board of Adjustments. I taught business law and management for many years, hold a post graduate certificate in Corporate Governance from Tulane University Law School, and am a member of several bar associations, admitted to practice law in the states of Iowa, Nebraska, and Missouri, the federal districts of Nebraska and Southern Iowa; and am VA accredited to represent veterans.
Lu Anne Gafford
University of Northwestern-St Paul/Life 107.1-Underwriting Director
Secretary
I have lived in Grimes for 37 years with my husband, Bradley and our three children. I worked for Bankers Trust for almost 30 years before I made a career change to the University of Northwestern-St Paul at Life 107.1 as the Underwriting Director.
I have seen the amazing growth of this community and now opportunity. I wanted to get involved with the Grimes Storehouse because I helped get the concept of a community food pantry started in Grimes Back in 1999. I was working for a bank in town when one of my customers who was on Social Security needed help to cover a check. She was ill and needed medicine. Her dilemma was to either pay her prescription bill or buy food. The day before we had our food pantry Sunday at church and the back of my van was full of food for DMARC. She had a need, so I brought her in several bags of food to get her by and sent her home with one less worry. I called my pastor and said if there was one in need, there were more and the food was returning to our church to set up a community food pantry. This brings us to where The Grimes Storehouse is today. No one should go hungry. If we all do a little, we can do much to help our fellow neighbor. Food insecurity is a growing issue and I want to help do my part in my own community.
Jeremy Kane, CPA
Partner - ExecOne Consulting
Treasurer
I’ve lived in Grimes for the past 12 years with my wife, Lindsey and our two children. I graduated from
the University of Northern Iowa with a bachelor’s degree in Accounting. I have been volunteering at the
Grimes Storehouse since January of 2023.
I became interested in the Grimes Storehouse by learning from my neighbors about the growing need to
serve our community as our city continues to expand. My mission is to continue servicing our
community members in need, grow the amount of the donations so that the Grimes Storehouse can
stay financially independent and to expand the services they offer over the years to come.
Brian W. Buethe, IOM
Grimes Chamber & Economic Development, President | CEO
Board Member, Past Chairman and Vice Chairman
Brian, through Grimes Chamber & Economic Development, is a member of the Professional Developers of Iowa (PDI), the American Planners Association (APA), the Central Iowa Tourism Region (CITR) and a Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM).
Brian is also a member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, the Grimes Lions Club, and the Rotary Club of West Polk County. A proud graduate of Northwest Missouri State University, he now resides in Grimes with his wife Michelle, daughter Grace, and son Henry. #LoveGrimes
Jason Friesen
Pastor, Crossroads Community Church
Board Member
In 2005, Karen and I moved to Grimes to help establish Crossroads Community Church. Our heart all along has been to establish a vibrant congregation that serves the physical and spiritual needs of Grimes and the surrounding communities. One way we’ve been able to do that is through our support of the Grimes Storehouse.
My desire in serving on the board is to keep the Grimes Storehouse focused on not only meeting physical needs, but also to stay the course in meeting the spiritual needs of the people we serve. People need the Lord Jesus Christ and over and over in the Scriptures we see Jesus meeting people’s physical needs and then meeting their spiritual needs. My desire is to see the Grimes Storehouse serve the whole person.
Gwyneth (Gwyn) Heston
Former Lead Teacher AMS Elementary Education
Board Member
I have been volunteering at the new location since the Storehouse relocated and have been on the board beginning the Summer of 2020. As a volunteer board member for the Storehouse, I mostly assist with reception. My faith is central to my identity and I greatly enjoy serving our community. It's my personal goal for every client to leave with a smile.
Matt Morris
President, Charter Bank
Board Member, Past Treasurer
I have been volunteering as the Treasurer of the Grimes Storehouse since August of 2019. As Treasurer it is my job to help track the donations received, help establish a budget and pay the monthly expenses for the Storehouse.
I find it very rewarding to see the Grimes community show such overwhelming support to help reduce food insecurity in our community. This has been amplified over the past year. While our services unfortunately have been in higher demand, individuals and businesses have provide great support through their monetary and supply donations. This is one of the most important missions in our community, that is 100% supported by donations. All of the Board members are great at inspiring us all to continue the mission to not only reduce those who are hungry, but hopefully eliminate hunger.
Ann Rolow
WW VP Sales Strategy and Training, Kemin Industries
Board Member, Past Chairman and Vice Chairman
I’ve lived in Grimes for 30 years and have enjoyed watching us grow from a small bedroom community to a bustling city. Grimes has always been a community where neighbor helps neighbor, and today, this is even more important than ever.
Over the last 40 years, I’ve assisted Kemin with growing their business from $50 million to a $1 billion. My desire is to use the talents I’ve learned in business to give back to our families in Grimes by helping to establish our community food pantry to be independent and financially stable. This stability will allow us to expand our services and fulfill additional community needs. In addition to becoming financially independent and stable, my dream for the Storehouse is to offer a clothing closet, free medical clinic and education classes on personal finances for the clients we serve.