Xenia Rural Water District will hold its' Annual Meeitng on April 20, 2023.  This year, Xenia has had the honor of having 10 candiates run for the 2 openings for this year's election.  Below is a brief bio for the candidates.  Proxies will be mailed out beginning with the water on March 15th.

Incumbent Mr. Jerry Carris, Adel, Iowa: Jerry has served on the Board of Directors for the past nine years.

Jerry’s goals as a Xenia Director continue to be saving the district money, improving and maintaining the infrastructure and providing quality water to our members.

Jerry is a graduate of Upper Iowa University with a BS in business.  Jerry is retired from Chicago Bridge & Iron after 38 years as a senior estimator in the elevated water storage tank division.  Working for CB&I provided Jerry with a knowledge of water storage and distribution and the American Water Works Association regulations and design requirements.

Incumbent Mr. Steve Sporrer, Bouton, Iowa:  Steve has served on the Board of Directors for the past three years and served on the Executive Committee for the past 2 years. 

Steve is an Iowa State graduate and has worked at John Deere for 17 years in marketing, service and sales roles across the Midwest.  As someone who is passionate about agriculture, he understands the importance of being good stewards of our natural resources.  Steve feels serving on the Xenia board would be a meaningful way to broaden his perspective of our water resources while contributing skills to help ensure a safe, sustainable and efficient supply of water for the District.

Vic Amoroso, Dallas Center, Iowa:  Vic is a graduate of Iowa State University with a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering and is a registered mechanical and fire protection engineer in Iowa.  Vic and his wife Faith have been members of Xenia for the past 7 years.  Vic has been a practicing engineer for the pas 53 years.  He has spent his first 23 years specializing in fire protection, HVAC, plumbing, control systems and utility distribution systems.  He then established his own engineering firm in 1994, and has continued to provide mechanical and fire protection design for varied facilities including collegiate laboratories, animal facilities, industrial quality control laboratories, hospitals and clinics, congregate meeting, multi-tenant residential units and prison.

Mr. Mark Barton, Ames, Iowa:  Mark lived in Boone for 38 years before moving to his current residence just outside of Ames in 2021.  He has served in the Water Resource Management field for the past 32 years with General Filter, designer and fabricator of Municipal and Industrial Water/Wastewater treatment equipment.  Currently employed at WesTech Engineering, Inc., his leadership positions have included Drafting Supervisor/Checker, Engineering Supervisor and Project Manager.  Prior employment includes Structural Steel Design Drafting and construction.  He plans to retire in 2023 and desires to leverage his water resource management expertise to benefit his, and other, communities.

Mrs. Caitlin Caldwell, Granger, IA - Caitlin is a Field Service Operations Specialist for Des Moines Water Works.  She works directly with water distribution, customer service, and acts as the backflow administrator. She is a host ambassador for the company as well as a participant on the committee for diversity and inclusion. “I look forward to learning new skills and enhancing pre-existing skills in the boardroom. Everything from leadership to finance, governance to strategy, decision-making to group dynamics.”

Mr. Jim Gough, Woodward, Iowa:  Jim grew up, married and raised a family with 5 children in rural Woodward.  Retired from the State of Iowa Maintenance Department after 38 years of service.  He is currently am serving his 2nd 4 year elected term as City Councilman for the City of Woodward, Iowa. He is also currently on the board for the Woodward Library Foundation.  His years of service to the State and City Government have given him the knowledge and understanding of water treatment, municipal distribution, budgets and management.  But above all else, for someone who grew up in rural Iowa, he personally knows the need for a strong rural water system, that can grow, adapt and compete with the things to come in the future for everyone that depends on it.  

Mr. Ryan Hulsebus, Granger, Iowa – Lead Municipal Utility Operator

• Licenses & Credentials: Collections 4, Water Treatment 3, Wastewater 2, Water Distribution 2, PACP, MACP, Crane Operator, OSHA Confined Space Trainer

Working for the City of Ankeny for over 20 years I have seen the city double in size and in infrastructure. Throughout my career with the city, my responsibilities have included water sample/lab testing, maintenance and operation of the water, wastewater, and collections systems. Throughout the years I have expanded my responsibilities and leadership skills and believe with my knowledge and expertise would be a valuable asset to the board and the Xenia Water District. I reside in Granger, Iowa with my wife and daughter, and am an avid outdoorsman who loves to fish.

Mr. Michael Livermore, Menlo, Iowa: Michael has lived in Menlo for the last 23 years.  He has been in the facility management field most of his working life. He is currently a Field Operations Manager for a large Iowa utility company where he manages all their facilities on the west side of Iowa.  In addition to his experience in facility management, he has also had nearly twenty years experience managing a district office for a service management company with a yearly revenue of several million dollars. Michael believes his work experiences will prove beneficial to Xenia in a myriad of ways.

Ms. Melissa Noga, Jamaica, Iowa:  Melissa has been a resident of this community for nearly twenty years and understands the vital role that access to clean and safe water plays in our daily lives.  She has a strong background in management and customer relations, which she believes would make her a valuable asset to the Board.  Additionally, she is committed to ensuring that our community’s water needs are met in a sustainable and fiscally responsible way.  She is eager to contribute her time, skills, and expertise to help make informed decisions that benefit our community.

Colonel Matthew A. Templeman retired from the United States Army in 2022 after over 25 years of commissioned service and currently runs Gray Knight Advisory Group, LLC.  With his wife Lori and their four school-age children, they relocated to Dallas Center, Iowa following recent tours of duty in Chile, Argentina, and Washington DC.  COL (R) Templeman has a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from West Point and a master’s degree in Engineering Management from Missouri S&T.  Matt is excited to bring his Corps of Engineers and Intelligence Community leadership expertise to support the important work of Xenia and represent our community. COL Templeman has worked as a public works engineer, base commander, construction project manager, and enterprise strategic planner.  He has volunteered with Boy Scouts, community sports teams, veterans’ organizations, and church youth groups.