Chris Freland Joins Whiterock

Whiterock Conservancy is thrilled to welcome Chris Freland as its next Executive Director. Chris follows Dan Gudahl, who served four years as executive director and is retiring with his wife Ana in Coon Rapids.

Dan Gudahl retires and Chris Freland begins as Director

Chris comes to Whiterock with over 20 years of combined nonprofit leadership experience in agriculture and food marketing, plus personal experience in sustainable farming. As the former Executive Director of the Iowa Beef Industry Council, Chris has a strong reputation of forming public and private partnerships to advance organizational missions.

Board President Butch Niebuhr said, "We greatly appreciate all that Dan Gudahl has done for our land and people. We're also eager for our donors and the community to know and welcome Chris Freland. She brings a passion for people as well as sustainable agricultural practices and natural land. She’s eager for her quest to share the story of this beautiful place called Whiterock. After a nation-wide search, Chris was our board’s clear choice.”

Chris is a native Iowan, having grown up near Oelwein and graduating from Iowa State University. She currently lives in Gowrie with her significant other. Chris is looking forward to recreating as well as working at Whiterock; she likes to bike, kayak and hike. Chris enjoys travel and spending time with her grown children and three dogs.