NEW ENVIRONMENT LEADER
NAMED BY DNR DIRECTOR

Des Moines - Wayne Gieselman has been appointed as DNR's new administrator
of the environmental protection division, announced DNR director Jeff Vonk.

Gieselman, 53, has led the DNR's livestock environmental program for the
past three years. He replaces administrator Michael Valde, 49, who is
transferring to a position as legal advisor for the DNR.

"Wayne is a highly qualified leader and manager with a strong technical
background in agricultural operations and environmental protection," said
Vonk

"Michael has performed well as the environmental administrator for the past
three years, but we can better use his legal abilities in his new position,
and it is an all around better fit for both men and the department," said
Vonk.

Considering his new position, Gieselman offered, "Our biggest challenge is
balancing agricultural practices and heritage with our need to improve air,
land and water quality. We need to focus on developing programs and
relationships to work closely and cooperatively with all Iowans to improve
environmental stewardship. We also need to become more flexible and able to
adapt to changing public demands for environmental improvement."

Prior to joining the DNR, Gieselman was a grain and livestock farmer near
Morning Sun. He has served on several state and county conservation and
environmental boards and has an agriculture engineering degree from Iowa
State University. Valde has served in the Iowa Attorney General's office on
environmental issues and was employed by the University of Iowa as its
environmental compliance manager before joining DNR. His law degree is from
the University of Iowa.

Gieselman and Valde begin their new positions, effective today.

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