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.
Julie Eckhardt
Front Of House Executive
Start Date: 5/15/2002
Cat Wood
Front Of House Executive
Start Date: 1/8/2000
Tony Topolinski
Front Of House Executive
Start Date: 5/30/2017
Personal Highlights
I am a huge sports fan and love the outdoors and cooking for friends and family, especially grilling out. I spend my summers with my wife and three kids going for walks, playing volleyball and basketball with friends and family. I also really enjoy playing catch with my two boys and my daughter when she decides to join us.
Jessica Gabel
Front Of House Executive
Start Date: 3/16/2014
John Weiler
Back Of House Executive
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.
Dan Means
Back Of House Executive
Start Date: 10/6/1994
Nick Hatton
Back Of House Executive
Ryan Wesley
Back Of House Executive
Start Date: 2/10/2021
Personal Highlights
When I am not at work I aim to travel looking for new food experiences. I spend a lot of free time at home cooking and playing with food I have never made before.
Joe Demello
Maintenance Executive
Start Date: 11/21/2016
Personal Highlights
I’m a home-body for the most part, and enjoy binge-watching old T.V. series’ and movies. I also play guitar in my spare time. After my long absence from Iowa, I intend to spend as much time with family as possible, when not at work.
Ken Crise
Maintenance
Start Date: 4/16/2012
Personal Highlights
I enjoy spending time with my five children and eight grandchildren. I like riding horses, working on vintage cars, working in my wood shop, hunting, boating, and going to country music concerts.