Board of Trustees

Governed by an independent, five-member board of trustees, West Des Moines Water Works operates autonomously, while cooperating and collaborating with the City of West Des Moines and other governmental entities. Water Works trustees are appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the city council. Water Works trustees serve six-year terms and are chosen for their ability to balance interests and needs of our customers and the overall fiscal health of the utility. The board meets once a month and its meetings are open to the public in compliance with Iowa's sunshine laws.

Scott M. Brennan,  Chairperson
Mr. Brennan was appointed to the board on February 1, 2013, to a term that expires on December 31, 2027. Mr. Brennan serves as the chair of the personnel and compensation committee and a member of the planning/regionalization committee for the WDMWW board of trustees. Mr. Brennan is a senior shareholder of the Davis Brown Law Firm. A member of the litigation division, he has a general practice in, but not limited to, litigation matters concerning business litigation, construction litigation, administrative matters and insurance defense. Scott has served numerous terms on his firm's board of directors and currently serves as the chair of the firm’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Pro Bono Committees. He served two terms as chair of the Iowa Democratic Party and is currently one of Iowa’s two elected representatives to the Democratic National Committee. Scott’s wife, Elizabeth, is a long time member of the West Des Moines Board of Education. 

Gretchen Tegeler, Vice Chairperson
Ms. Tegeler joined the board of WDMWW on January 1, 2013, and her term expires on December 31, 2024. She serves as chair of the finance and audit committee for the WDMWW board and is a member of the personnel and compensation committee. A Des Moines native, Ms. Tegeler graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in political science and master's degree in Urban and Regional Planning. She was director of the Iowa Department of Management, the Governor’s planning, policy, and budgeting office, for eight years, and also served as Gov. Branstad’s chief of staff. Ms. Tegeler served in the president's position for the Iowa Taxpayers Association and she was also vice president for Iowa with the American Cancer Society. Ms. Tegeler serves on the Unity Point Health-Eyerly Ball Community Mental Health Services board of directors.

Jody E. Smith, Trustee

Following over forty years of Iowa local government experience Mr. Smith joined the board of WDMWW on July 1, 2016, and his second term expires on December 31, 2028. He serves as chair of the planning/regionalization committee for WDMWW and is also a member of the finance and audit committee. A native of Palo Alto County, Mr. Smith graduated from Buena Vista University in Storm Lake with a double major of History and Politico-Economic Systems. Before his 25 plus years serving in various City of West Des Moines management positions he served as city clerk-treasurer in Clinton, Iowa, and as mayor of Ayrshire, Iowa. Mr. Smith has a history of volunteering time and leadership with church, community, and service clubs as well as similar activities with a number of local government committees and entities. Mr. Smith is a Legion of Honor member of Kiwanis International and was inducted into the Iowa League of Cities Hall of Fame in 2001. 

Erin Sheriff, Trustee

Ms. Sheriff was appointed to the board in December 2020 for a six-year term that began on January 1, 2021 and expires December 31, 2026. The West Des Moines native has worked as an actuary with Principal Financial Group in pricing strategy for 13 years. She is highly skilled in pricing, reinsurance, risk management and financial reporting, with a strong knowledge of group insurance. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics from the University of Iowa and then started her career with Cigna Corp. in Hartford, Conn., where she worked as an actuarial manager for six years. She returned to Iowa in 2007 and is active in the community, volunteering with human rights organizations with an emphasis on racial equity and LGBTQ+ rights. She is also a life-long athlete who won a Gold Medal in the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) Women’s World Championship in 2010.

Ted Ohmart, Trustee

Mr. Ohmart joined the board in January 1, 2024 for a six-year term that concludes on December 31, 2030. A long-time resident and business owner in West Des Moines, Mr. Ohmart has served the community in several capacities including five terms on the West Des Moines City Council. A passionate advocate for youth sports and quality-of-life initiatives, he spent 12 years on the West Des Moines Parks and Recreation Advisory Board—10 of which he served as chairman. Mr. Ohmart also represented West Des Moines as chairman of the Metro Planning Organization (MPO) and vice chairman of the Wastewater Reclamation Authority (WRA). In 2014, then Mayor Steve Gaer named Mr. Ohmart West Des Moines Citizen of the Year.