The Johnson County Conservation Board selects Brad Freidhof as the Conservation Executive Director. Freidhof will succeed Larry Gullett who passed away on Sept. 6, 2024, following a courageous battle with cancer. Gullett served as the Johnson County Conservation Executive Director for 11 years.

Freidhof has 27 years of experience in the conservation field. He began his career as the Pocahontas County Conservation Board Naturalist in 1997. In 2002, he was hired by Conservation Director Harry Graves to become the Johnson County Naturalist and served in that role until 2014. Freidhof was then selected to fill the role of Conservation Program Manager for Johnson County. This position allowed Freidhof to continue a supervisory role with the education program which allowed him to write and administer grants for trail development and other special projects. He has a long history with the Johnson County Conservation Board and was involved in the passage of the 2008 and 2024 conservation bonds.

Freidhof brings strong communication and community outreach skills to the position. He is experienced in working with community organizations, government agencies and the public to create and nurture conservation programs. He has written and administered successful grant applications from federal, state and non-profit sources, resulting in more than $6 million in outside funding for the Conservation Board and looks to continue those efforts.

The Johnson County Conservation Board, established in 1964 by Johnson County residents, manages a variety of natural resources and outdoor recreation areas throughout the county including native prairies, river access areas, small community parks, and the 1,062 acre F.W. Kent Park. Brad Freidhof will be the fourth Executive Director in the history of the Johnson County Conservation Board with Rod Dunlap serving as the first director from 1970 to 2001, Harry Graves serving from January 2001 to June 2013, Larry Gullett serving from July 2013 until September 2024.

Freidhof looks forward to continuing the legacy the Conservation Board has created, focusing on ecological protection and restoration, connecting people to the land, and linking communities. He can be contacted via office phone at 319-645-2315, cell phone at 319-331-7513 or by email at [email protected].