About: Board Members - Dedicated To Service
Board of Directors
President: Frances Mueller (Iowa)
Vice President: Maria Maixner (Iowa)
Secretary: Fred Strohbehn (Iowa) “Fred is our longest serving member on the Self Help Board since its inception in 1975. Fred brings to Self-Help years of expertise as a retired third generation specialized corn and cattle feeder from Reinbeck, Iowa. He has had a long time concern for food production, distribution and population control, and quality of life for all world citizens. Two of his agricultural Idols are Dr. Norman Borlaug and Henry A. Wallace. These concerns and interests fits Self-Help’s like a glove. Fred completed a two year Farm Operations in Agriculture course from Iowa State College in 1950., He has continued taking many short courses over the years and is always interested in learning something new. Many of these studies have included world peace, and helping small farmers in developing countries. From 1976 through 1980 he addressed to a number of groups talks titled “FOOD, FAMINE, AND FOREIGN POLICY”. In addition to his continued interest for the well being of others throughout the world, Fred was an active member of the United Church of Christ in Reinbeck. For 36 years Fred has devoted his time energy and farming expertise to Self-Help. He is to be commended for his steadfast service to this organization. “
Treasurer: Phil Hufferd (Iowa) Phil Hufferd is a retired management specialist with Iowa State University Extension. He holds a BS degree in Economics and an MBA. He has had a long-term interest in providing needs assessment, problem-solving, and sustainable developmental assistance both in the US and abroad resulting in multiple foreign assignments in Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, China, and Self Help projects in Ghana and Nicaragua. He served as Self Help treasurer for 10 years and continues to serve on the Board.
Jerry Dove (Iowa) Jerry Dove is a local resident of Bremer County, Iowa. He attended Iowa State University and received a BS degree in agriculture in 1982. Upon graduation Jerry returned to the family farm near Janesville, Iowa where he and his wife have farmed with Jerry's parents on the family farm. The new technologies available for farming coupled with sound Integrated Pest Management provide the challenges and resulting solutions that Jerry finds most rewarding. Jerry and his wife Mary are members of Messiah Lutheran Church in Janesville. They have two children. Their son Jake and his wife Katie reside in Boulder , Colorado. Their daughter Beth is currently in Costa Rica. Jerry has been on the Self Help Board of Directors since 2008.
David Fredrick (Iowa): David Fredrick is an Iowa native. He holds an MA in economics plus doctoral studies in resource economics. He is a retired (from 28 years of service) Foreign Service Officer, having been posted in Thailand, Senegal, Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Yemen Arab Republic, Morocco and Washington, DC. He recently retired from Wartburg College after 14 years as Director of International Admissions. He has been in 78 countries and speaks French, Arabic and Thai. He travels and volunteers for tasks for Self Help in both Ghana and Nicaragua, as well in the United States. His skills and experience in agricultural economics, sustainable development, medium and long term planning/budgeting and risk/vulnerability assessment are useful for Self Help International.
Rodney Hamer (Iowa) Retired Professor University of Minnesota Extension He has been a County Extension Director, Director Farmer Lender Mediation Program, Program Leader, District Director, and Director of Field operations all with Minnesota Extension Service. He currently resides in Cedar Falls, Iowa and works part-time as office manager with the Iowa State Extension/Black Hawk County. He volunteers with American Red Cross and Northeast Iowa Food Bank.
Dr. Dale Harpstead (Michigan): A native of South Dakota he is a graduate of South Dakota State University and the University of Nebraska where he earned a PhD in Plant Breeding and Genetics. From 1961 to 1969 he served on the staff of the Rockefeller Foundation as director of their Andean Region maize improvement program and living in Colombia, South America. In 1969 he accepted a position as Professor and Chairman of Crop and Soil Sciences at Michigan State University. Other food and development related activities include: serving for 13 years on the Board for Relief and Development of the Lutheran World Federation, Geneva, Switzerland; Board for cooperative research development of Edible Beans and Cowpeas between USAID and the US Land Grant University System and for two years served in Washington DC on the Board for International Food and Agricultural Development (BIFAD). He is retired and lives in East Lansing MI.
Gene Novak (Iowa)
Dr. Mary Jane Oakland (Iowa)
Dennis Preslicka (Iowa)
Dr. Bertel Schou (Iowa)
Carol Smith (Iowa)
Nick Taiber (Iowa)
Jon Tehven (Iowa)
Dr. James West (Iowa)FAC. Jim West has served on the SHI Board since 2002. His particular interest is improving agricultural practices with particular interest in least cost sustainable alternatives. Jim is currently employed by The College of Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State University as a professor of clinical medicine and director of the embryo transfer unit. Prior to returning to ISU Jim was in private veterinary practice and owner of Westwood Embryo Services. While running Westwood Jim exported embryos and trained veterinarians from fifteen countries on five continents. Jim and his wife Mary, a partner at Westwood and a Spanish teacher at Des Moines Area Community College, have two daughters and five grandchildren. In their spare time Mary and Jim enjoy gardening, international travel and bicycling.
Joseph Legg, Emeritus (Iowa)
Dr.Warren Prawl, Emeritus (Kansas)
Organization Staff:
Executive Director: Merry Fredrick
Admin. Assistant/Accountant: Mary Jo Hall
Development Director Add Mary Foy,
Ghana Staff:
Country Director: Wilberforce Ansah
Project Officer: Benjamin Kusi
Project Officer: Isodel Ahorsu
Admin. Assistant: Victoria Yamson
Logistics: Robert Adu
Nicaragua Staff:
Project Manager: Jorge Campos
Program Operations Manager: Lucia Vega Galeano
Project Officer: Orlando Montiel
Project Officer:Alexandra Montiel Salas
Project Assistant: Alfredo Alvarez
Support Services Officer: Alvaro Montealto
Advisor: Dr. Dale Harpstead