Meet Our Board

Learn More About Our Board Members and Their Qualifications

Christopher S. Jones, PhD

President of Driftless Water Defenders, Author, and Researcher

Notable Works

The Swine Republic 2023: Chris explores the immense agricultural production in Iowa and the heavy toll it’s taking on soil, wildlife habitat, loss of public parks, air and water quality. '

Follow Chris’ blog where he writes articles about the intersectionality between the natural and agricultural worlds.

Chris Jones received his B.A. in chemistry and biology in 1983 from Simpson College, Indianola, IA. He received his PhD in analytical chemistry in 1986 from Montana State University, Bozeman, MT. Since receiving his PhD, Chris has held several esteemed positions, including, but not limited to, Lab Supervisor at Des Moines Water Works from 2003-2011, Environmental Scientist at the Iowa Soybean Association from 2011-2015, and a Research Engineer & Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Iowa from 2015-2023. Chris’ research interests span from contaminant hydrology, nutrient and sediment transport, to agriculture and water quality. In his free time, Chris is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys fishing, gardening, and mushroom hunting.

Terri describes herself as project-oriented, with a passion for nature, hiking with her adult children in the West and Pacific Northwest, organic gardening, design and protecting our environment.  Her clean water advocacy is based on the conviction that water quality is the number one issue confronting Iowans: “All other issues are dependent upon having a livable planet for our existence.”

Terri Mozzone

Treasurer of Driftless Water Defenders

A long-time resident of Highlandville, in Winneshiek County, Terri Mozzone’s versatile career has been marked with a constant theme:  her concern about the environment and the foundational importance of clean water.  A summa cum laude graduate from Luther College in Decorah, IA, earning a B.A. in English, with an emphasis in writing, her researching and writing skills have been essential to the positions she has held over the years—ranging from project manager, to paralegal to freelance writer. Her writing experience includes several years spent researching and writing company profiles of industry-diverse Fortune 1000 companies for publication in a series of reference books for libraries and business schools, published by the Detroit Press. Hired by an energy auditing company in Minneapolis, she researched and wrote a complex grant proposal for submission to the utility, Xcel Energy, that provided the funding for launching the successful startup. While living in St. Paul, MN she worked as a writer for the Minnesota Senate, attending and covering hearings in the Judiciary, Crime Prevention and other committees, before becoming certified as a paralegal and working for a large international litigation law firm.  As a project manager Terri was hired to research and coordinate with managers, contractors, and numerous others to execute the interior building design, equipment needs, and restoration for the Oneota Food Coop in Decorah.  In Portland, Oregon she worked as a project manager for Portland Energy Conservation, Inc., a nonprofit corporation dedicated to advancement in energy use, generation and policy. 

 

James Larew, Esq.

Registered agent for Driftless Water Defenders and Attorney at law

For more than thirty years, Attorney Jim Larew has had the privilege of providing legal services to Iowans throughout the state.

As an honors graduate of both Harvard University and the University of Iowa College of Law, Jim practices law over a broad range of civil and criminal matters including employment, civil rights, family law, environmental law, and property law.

Jim has tried many cases in state and federal courthouses in Iowa and Illinois, and has argued appeals before the Iowa Supreme Court and the Federal Court of Appeals for the Seventh and Eighth Circuits.

From 2007-2011, Jim was called to serve as General Counsel to Iowa Governor Chet Culver, and also served as Policy Director and Chief of Staff in the Office of Governor.

Upon his return to private practice, Jim has expanded his general law practice in Iowa City to include an office in Des Moines. He has broadened the focus of his law practice to include advocating for the interest of Iowa policy holders against insurance companies who have acted in bad faith; against environmental polluters; and against owners of nursing homes and care facilities who have injured residents through indifference or neglect.