116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Brad Freidhof named Johnson County Conservation director
Longtime Conservation Director Larry Gullett died last year
Feb. 20, 2025 5:05 pm
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IOWA CITY — The Johnson County Conservation Board has named Brad Freidhof as the department’s new executive director.
Freidhof, 51, had been serving as acting conservation director since June 2024, when director Larry Gullett was placed on paid administrative leave for unspecified reasons. Operations Superintendent Wade Schultz also was placed on leave at that time.
Gullett died in September 2024 at age 65.
Freidhof has worked in the Johnson County Conservation Department since 2002, serving as a naturalist and conservation program manager during his tenure. Prior to that, Freidhof worked in Pocahontas County as a naturalist.
“The official part feels great, but the path has not changed. It feels great to continue to be a part of this organization and to step into some leadership role to guide some of the newer employees and future generations and keep us on track,” Freidhof said of being named conservation director.
Freidhof was involved in the campaigns to pass both county conservation bonds, in 2008 and 2024.
"Since we started campaigning for the bond, it's always been my objective to do the best for the organization ... and my goal is always to do right by the environment, to protect and restore natural resources. So that's what we're going to continue to do," Freidhof said.
In his new role, Freidhof will continue to help oversee the use of those funds in conjunction with the conservation board and other county staff.
“I’ve been working with him for years and he’s just a stand up guy, very passionate about conservation, education and really excited to have him in that position,” Supervisor V Fixmer-Oraiz said at a meeting Thursday.
The Johnson County Conservation Board is made up of five Johnson County residents appointed by the supervisors who serve staggered unpaid terms and oversee conservation efforts and a team of paid county conservation staff.
The board is in charge of planning and policies related to county property used for public recreation.
Prior to his death, Gullett’s salary was $157,482.26 a year as conservation director, according to county staff.
Comments: megan.woolard@thegazette.com
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