Machine Shed Urbandale - Heart Of America Group

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.

John Weiler

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.

Jessica Gabel

Front-Of-House Executive
Start Date: 3/16/2014
Personal Highlights

Through my years at The Shed, I have gotten married to my wonderful husband Rusty and had 2 beautiful children, Russell and Jessalynn. As for my free time, having young ones pretty much occupy that space for now. I look forward to continuing to grow with HOA.

Nick Kaperka

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.

Tabatha Lovelady

Tabatha Lovelady

Front-Of-House Executive
Start Date: 9/25/2024
Personal Highlights

I am the Mother of 3 wonderful children that will keep me on my toes for the foreseeable future! We love to travel and spend time together as a family. If I’m not working and the weather is nice chances are you can find me outside with them fishing, looking for somewhere to fish, or at our local Cabela’s getting things to go lol. I love time in the outdoors so whether it’s our clearly our favorite, fishing, or boating, or just going on a new outdoor adventure I try to not waste any of the minutes I have!

Kevin Rinehart

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 Rice

Emily Rice

Back-Of-House Executive
Start Date: 2/17/2025
Personal Highlights

Since I was little, I’ve been food-obsessed—I’m constantly reading about food, whether it’s exploring new trends or discovering ingredients and techniques that are new to me. When I’m not working with food, you’ll find me dining with friends, exploring new culinary trends, or experimenting in my own kitchen. In my free time, I love exploring places and trying new experiences with my nieces and friends, whether it’s discovering hidden gems or embarking on fresh adventures together. Whether by myself or with friends, I’m always up for visiting a local restaurant or hunting for unique finds at a thrift store.

About Heart Of America

About Heart of America Starting with one 100-seat restaurant in 1978, Heart of America Group has grown to include a portfolio of award-winning, owned and operated restaurants, hotels, and commercial developments. Noteworthy brands developed and operated by Heart of America Group include the Machine Shed Restaurant, Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse, Burger Shed, The Republic on Grand, Fifth Avenue Syndicate, Thunder Bay Grille, The J Bar, Hotel Renovo, Revel Hotel, The Rewind Hotel, The Axis Hotel, and Wildwood Lodge. We pride ourselves on building long-lasting properties that bring value to the consumer and to the communities in which we build.

Locations

Operations Support Center - Moline
1501 River Drive
Moline, Illinois 61265
P: 309.797.9300
F: 309.797.8700

Operations Support Center - Des Moines
515 E Locust Street, Suite 100
Des Moines, IA 50309