Sharon Tinker grew up on a livestock and grain farm north of Manchester in Delaware County in northeast Iowa. She received a B.S. in chemical engineering from the University of Iowa and then worked for ExxonMobil and lived in large cities for 35 years. She moved from Houston, Texas to Ankeny when she retired in 2015 to get back to four seasons and rural America. She enjoys reading, volunteering, and watching the Iowa Cubs and Chicago Cubs. Sharon joined the Friends Board in July 2016 and is the Secretary and Membership Coordinator. She planted 39 acres of pollinator habitat on her farm in northeast Iowa in 2015 to reduce soil loss and attract native wildlife and has become interested in sustainable agriculture. She enjoys the peace and quiet, native flowers, and wildlife at Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge.

Austin Steinkamp is originally from Woodward, Iowa and currently resides in Johnston, Iowa. He received his B.S. in Accounting from AIB College of Business and works at a local accounting firm called MHCS, PC. Austin’s hobbies include hunting, traveling, going to sporting events, and spending time with friends and family. Austin’s interest in the refuge comes from growing up on an acreage and being an avid pheasant hunter has piqued his interest in wildlife habitat. Austin joined the Friends Board in April of 2023 and is the Treasurer. He looks forward to learning and helping with the refuge.

SECRETARY AND MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR

TREASURER

Jordan Oster grew up in the Des Moines area. His interest in bison and prairies began when spending time with his grandparents in Jamestown, North Dakota, which is home to the world’s largest “buffalo” monument. Jordan began visiting the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge as a child and enjoys driving the refuge auto tour. He holds bachelor’s and a Master of Public Administration degree from Drake University. Jordan has worked with numerous state and national issue campaigns, political campaigns, nonprofit groups, and on public relations and marketing efforts for top businesses and brands. He is the Energy Outreach Coordinator at the Iowa Environmental Council. Jordan joined the Friends Board in 2018 and focuses on Public Relations.

PRESIDENT

Rachel Ruden grew up in central New Jersey surrounded by horses and urban wildlife. She received a B.S. in Animal Science from Cornell University, a V.M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, and a PhD in Wildlife Ecology from Iowa State University. Her first visit to Neal Smith was while moving cross-country to Ames in 2016 and she has served as the attending veterinarian at the bison roundups ever since. Rachel strongly supports the mission of both the Friends group and the Refuge to educate the public about Iowa’s natural history and take an active stake in restoring the tallgrass prairie. She has become an avid cyclist since moving to Iowa and can generally be found photographing wildlife in her off hours. Rachel joined the Friends board in early 2019 to assist with public relations. In July 2019, she started as the first wildlife veterinarian for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

PUBLIC RELATIONS

Loren Lown worked for the Soil and Water Conservation Agency before joining Polk County Conservation. At Polk County Conservation, he spent most of his professional life as a restoration ecologist/manager of natural areas and parkland systems. Since retirement from Polk County Conservation in 2018, Loren has worked as a consultant for clients on newly acquired parkland and conducted botanical and avian biological surveys. He currently is a citizen advisor to several metropolitan planning organizations, civic commissions, and boards. Loren joined the Friends board in March 2023.

Kevin Castle grew up in Sheldon, in Northwestern Iowa. His father was in the cattle business, so he grew up around livestock and agriculture. He relocated to Iowa City, IA to attend the University of Iowa for Economics and has lived there ever since. He has been a financial advisor with Principal Financial for 40 plus years. He lives on a farm north of Iowa City raising horses and hay. He also is reconstructing prairie on his farm. He has been a supporter of the refuge for many years and several other wildlife groups. He believes the Neal Smith NWR is a huge asset to the State of Iowa and wants to do all he can to help carry out the mission of the refuge. Kevin joined the board in 2025. He enjoys spending time with his family, friends, horses and dogs. He also is an avid Iowa Hawkeye Fan.