Urbandale
Nancy Shepard
Chief Operating Executive
Start Date: 9/10/2017
Personal Highlights
I love spending time with family and friends. My husband Tony also works for Heart of America as the COE of the West Des Moines Holiday Inn & Suites and Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse. We have three daughters, Alex is studying engineering at Iowa State, Gaby a junior in high school and Sam is in 7th grade. In my free time I enjoy watching my girls play softball, taking vacations near the ocean and cheering on the Cyclones.
Jessica Gabel
Front-Of-House Executive
Start Date: 3/16/2014
Julie Stepp
Front-Of-House Executive
Start Date: 7/26/2022
Personal Highlights
outside of work I’m a Mother of 2 amazing girls and 3 as equally amazing grandchildren. I’m a hippie at heart, I love nature, hiking and chilling in my hammock. Get me to a music festival or concert though and I’m ready to go!
Blake Wenzel
Front-Of-House Executive
Start Date: 7/21/2021
Personal Highlights
I really enjoy a number of different outdoor activities, from foraging to fishing I have learned that Iowa provides ample opportunities for enjoyment throughout every season. Having a three year old son has given me newfound respect for all of my fun activities as well.
Nick Kaperka
Front -Of-House Executive
Start Date: 7/16/2021
Personal Highlights
When I’m not at work I love spending time with my wife and friends. I also love cooking and watching movies. You can also catch me trying to find new places to go in Des Moines.
Ryan Morrison
Front -Of-House Executive
Start Date: 5/23/2023
Personal Highlights
I love staying active and finding things to do. One of my favorite distractions is spending time with my 4 year old daughter Sloane. When I don’t have her, I have numerous hobbies and interest to keep my distracted. If I had to narrow it down to just a few though I’m usually riding my motorcycle, kayaking, or line and swing dancing.
John Weiler
Executive Chef
Start Date: 12/5/2018
Personal Highlights
When not at work you will find me with my family riding and racing bikes. We also love to entertain family and friends. We also are involved in many volunteer activities that support our communities less fortunate individuals.
Michael Dillow
Back-Of-House Executive
Start Date: ???
Personal Highlights
I am a family man and I love our big crew. I really love spending quiet time with my wife and our three dogs a Bullmastiff, a German Rottweiler, and a German Shepherd wolf. We love to travel, and we look forward to exploring Des Moines and all that it has to offer!.
Kevin Rinehart
Back-Of-House Executive
Start Date: 11/4/2019
Personal Highlights
When I am not at work I am attending my daughters many activities. We love to travel. We try to have movie night once a week and we like to follow the Iowa Hawkeyes
Emily Morgan
Back-Of-House Executive
Start Date: 12/8/2021
Personal Highlights
I love to go fishing and play just about any sport. I’ve still got one hell of an arm, and I do believe I still hold a few high school records for being the fastest and strongest girl. I did amateur boxing in the service and I was a lifeguard in high school.
Joshua Craven
Back-Of-House Executive
Start Date: 8/1/2022
Personal Highlights
When I am not at work I am spending time with friends and family. I love to try new food and recreate them at home. I also look to spend as much time as possible staying busy with projects.
Tony Rezek
Back-Of-House Executive
Start Date: 4/7/2023
Personal Highlights
In my free time I enjoy the outdoors in my yard, with my dogs or biking. I like to think I’m quite the carpenter around the house. (My wife Megan would beg to differ!) In the fall I bleed Nebraska Cornhusker red, rooting for my favorite college football team.