About Us

Caleb Cooper is a self-employed attorney at Cooper Law PLLC focusing on providing business clients support in many areas of the law including commercial contract negotiations. Caleb joined the board in 2023. Caleb supports the food pantry because he knows what it’s like to go hungry and wants to do what he can to address food insecurity in his community.

Greg Dockum has been Vice President-Finance at West Bank for 17 years. A resident of Urbandale since 1989, he recently completed nine years on the Johnston School Board, serving five years as president. While working with the district’s families, the fact that food insecurity is an issue here locally in our community was evident, and he helped institute several programs to provide meals to students before and after school, at lunch and during the summer. Greg continues this work by supporting the Urbandale Food Pantry in our efforts to provide food assistance to our neighbors and friends with dignity and compassion. Greg joined the board in 2023.

Christy Gooding Christy Gooding is a Des Moines-area corporate communicator and marketer, who has worked in the insurance and financial services industries for 30 years. An Urbandale resident since 2004, Christy is passionate about fighting food insecurity issues plaguing our communities. She has served on several non-profit boards and has volunteered with many local organizations focused on helping our neighbors meet their essential needs.

Misti Johnson MMisti Johnson (she/hers) is a master's level social work leader with over 25 years of experience in the behavioral health field. Misti's passion and dedication to mental wellness, social justice, and disadvantaged populations have driven her entire employment career. In her spare time, she juggles her family's busy schedules, is an adjunct instructor for the University of Iowa's MSW program and is actively involved in her church. Misti is also involved in supporting other non-profits in our community that provide social services. Misti joined the Board of Directors for the Urbandale Food Pantry because she wants to help address the growing crisis of food insecurity. She appreciates the border-free pantry status and the role the organization has in the City of Urbandale's social structure.  Misti regards food security as a fundamental human right, essential for wellbeing. 

Rick W. Levi is retired from Consolidated Management Co., an on-site food service company in November 2017. He worked in the food service industry for almost 50 years. Rick began serving on the board in January, 2022. He has served on several non-profit boards and has volunteered in an area food pantry for over four years. Rick believes in giving back to the community by helping its residents succeed and prosper.

Joan Racki has lived in Urbandale since 1993. She retired from her position on the Board of Regents in December 2016. Joan has served on the City of Urbandale’s Planning and Zoning Commission since 2012, serves on the Endow Urbandale Board of Directors, and has volunteered with other organizations in the community – most recently providing tax assistance through AARP Tax-Aide. She is an active participant at the Urbandale Senior Recreation Center and also serves on its planning committee.

Sarah Spilman is the Vice President at Bishop + Associates, a firm that provides trauma center and trauma system development, assessment, and financial optimization for hospitals and EMS agencies across the nation. She previously served for 6 years on the Des Moines Christian School Board of Trustees, including roles as secretary and a member of the governance committee. Sarah and her family began volunteering at the UFP in 2018 and you can find her in the Any Time Room two Saturdays a month. She is committed to the UFP mission to help lighten the burden for individuals and families who are food insecure, and she believes strongly in the UFP philosophy to treat all clients with respect, dignity, and understanding. Sarah began serving on the Board of Directors in 2022.

Danielle Williams is an associate and senior interior designer at SVPA Architects Inc. She recently completed a two-year term on the Iowa Interior Design Examining Board where she served as a professional member. Danielle started volunteering for the Food Bank of Iowa in 2020 and joined the Urbandale Food Pantry Board of Directors in 2023.

Derek Zarn is the communications director for the City of Urbandale. He graduated from Iowa State University and has held various positions in public relations, marketing, design, and technology at the City of Urbandale, City of Ames, and Iowa State University. Derek began serving on the board in 2021. Derek supports the Urbandale Food Pantry through focusing on advocacy and education, public policy and local governmental measures, and fundraising events.

Deb Koua Deb grew up in small-town Iowa and, after living in various states over a number of years, moved to Urbandale in 2010. She recently retired after working over 34 years in the field of grant administration, including 30 years in higher education. Deb feels that as a society, we need to ensure that basic needs are met so that everyone can reach their full potential and lead a healthy and productive life. Her family loves living in Urbandale and she is excited to have the opportunity to give back to the community.

Fletcher Barry Fletcher Barry is the Director of Membership at the Urbandale and Windsor Heights Chamber of Commerce. His focus is on educating and serving businesses in Urbandale, Windsor Heights, and throughout the Des Moines Metro. Growing up in Urbandale, Fletcher began serving on the Food Pantry board in 2025. He supports the Urbandale Food Pantry because he recognizes that the growth in our community and Central Iowa has led to an increasing need for food assistance. Fletcher aims to play an active role in providing relief to individuals and families facing food insecurity.  

Jayme L. Mau Jayme L. Mau brings over 20 years of experience in facility services and operations management, with a strong commitment to community engagement and support. As District Sales Manager for Iowa and Nebraska at a leading national provider, Jayme specializes in helping organizations maintain clean, safe, and sustainable environments. Jayme is passionate about addressing food insecurity and ensuring that all families have access to healthy, nourishing food.  Her connection to the Urbandale community is connected through her active support of Urbandale Schools and Activities. She is honored to support the Urbandale Food Pantry’s mission. She is married to husband, Devon and mother to Devon II and daughter, Charleigh and is actively involved in volunteering with UCSD and New Hope UMC.

Steve Allen Steve Allen is the AVP & Assistant Controller at Principal Financial Group. He previously served for 6 years on the Children & Families of Iowa Board of Trustees, including roles as President and Investment Committee Chair. Steve and his family have lived in Urbandale since 2017 and frequently volunteer at multiple non-profit organizations throughout the metro area. Having spent time living in many different places, he witnessed firsthand the impact of food insecurity which has deepened his understanding of how access to food is foundational to well-being and opportunity.  

Jim Pierson Jim Pierson retired in January 2021 after more than 45 years of leadership in human resources and organizational management, serving across state and local government as well as the non-profit sector. He joined the board in 2026, bringing with him a wealth of expertise in strategic leadership and organizational stewardship. Throughout retirement, Jim has embraced opportunities to give back to his community through volunteer service with organizations that reflect his values and commitment to civic engagement—including the Food Bank of Iowa, Franklin Library, Plymouth Congregational Church, the Urbandale Civil Service Commission, and the Urbandale Food Pantry. He is grateful to continue serving in ways that strengthen community connections and support neighbors with dignity and compassion.

Rick Morr Rick Morr is the Store Director at Hy-Vee and has his BS in Business Economics and a Master's of Business Administration. He has been with Hy-Vee Stores for 24 years, and has worked at a variety stores in the Des Moines Area and around our trade territory working with a diverse mix of customers. Maryville, Missouri, South Omaha, Nebraska, Newton, Ankeny#2 (South), Des Moines #1 (MLK), WDM#1 (Valley West), WDM#2 (Grand and Railroad) and currently at Urbandale location. He enjoys spending time with my family. Wife-Whitney, Daughter-Elaina, Son-Richie and dog Cooper. Currently resides in Johnston, Iowa. I hope as a member of the Urbandale Food Pantry Board that I can make a positive impact in the lives of all of the individuals that we serve. At Hy-Vee ourmission is to "MakeLives, Easierand Happier" and I believe that aligns with the mission of the Urbandale FoodPantry.

Staci Hass As the AVP of Information Services at EquiTrust, Staci brings a wealth of experience in technology leadership and a deep commitment to service. Prior to relocating from Nebraska, Staci served on several non-profit boards, where she developed a passion for community engagement and giving back. Upon moving to the area, Staci was drawn to UFP's mission, finding it closely aligned with her values. Staci believes strongly in UFP's efforts to fight food insecurity with dignity and respect, and is honored to contribute to this important work as a board member.

Patty Sneddon-Kisting - CEO
Patty is a Des Moines native and resides in Grimes with her wife Lisa and 4 kids. She has a MPA in nonprofit governance + health & human service and spent the past 13 years in the nonprofit sector. Patty is on the Board of Directors of GiGi’s Playhouse, and chairs committees with United Way of Central Iowa and Lead DSM. When she is not doing all things food insecurity you can find her enjoying family time, running or working out.

Linzi Winton- Operations Manager
Linzi lives in Urbandale with her husband, Carter, and their 2 sons. She has worked at the pantry since January 2016. During her free time you can find her at Kinnick in the fall, doing puzzles in the winter, hiking in the spring, and indoors in the summer.

Jennifer Stanley- Intake Assistant
Jennifer started working at the Urbandale Food Pantry in March 2022. She has lived in Urbandale for over 20 years, and both of her kids are Urbandale graduates. She spends her time away from the pantry with her husband of 32 years, their 2 dogs, and 2 cats.

Carrie Stephens
Carrie is a Des Moines area native and has a Bachelor's in Education from Iowa State. She and her husband have lived in Urbandale for 20+ years and have three adult children. She's been with the Urbandale Food Pantry since 2015 (first as a volunteer, then as staff). Carrie credits UFP for opening her eyes to our country's food insecurity epidemic. She's currently honored and thankful to be a UCSD Substitute teacher and a UFP Substitute Intake Assistant. She's convinced that the world would be a better place if we all treated everyone the way we want to be treated.

Dave Short- Finance Associate
Dave began working at UFP in the summer of 2024. He retired in 2022 after 43 years in the Des Moines area financial services industry, his last stop being Wells Fargo Home Mortgage. A Fort Dodge native, Dave & his wife LaVonne, also a Fort Dodge native and volunteer at the pantry, have lived in Urbandale for a total of 41 years and have three children and seven grandchildren. Dave is honored to assist the pantry with managing finances and donations so the rest of the staff can focus on providing the valuable service of mitigating food insecurity in the community.

Steve Bryce- Warehouse/Food Rescue Coordinator
Steve lives in Des Moines with his wife, Deanne, and loves to visit his grandkids in the Twin Cities. His previous careers in the food manufacturing industry and food service have left him with a keen desire to reduce waste throughout the food supply chain. Steve started as a volunteer before joining the staff at UFP. Steve’s interests are cooking and baking with whole foods, gardening, and learning more about the food system. His special talent is making oat milk lattes for his wife every morning.

Rhonda Wilson- Receptionist

Anne Jung- Intake Assistant
Anne is an East Coast native who moved to Iowa in 2017 with her husband and three children. She loves to help others and therefore became involved as a volunteer at the Urbandale Food Pantry in order to meet new people and give back to her community. In her free time, she loves to spend time with family, travel, hike, sew, and volunteer with other organizations. Anne believes that she has found her purpose by helping good people during difficult times and hopes that she can serve the community with grace and compassion~something everyone deserves.