The Homesteaders Board of Directors, who are elected by policy owners, consists of professionals with diverse business perspectives. The Board's role is to provide the strategic direction to ensure long-term security for our policy owners, funeral home customers and employees. According to company bylaws, our Board consists of between seven and fifteen members who serve five year terms. There are currently eight members on the Board.

(Standing from left to right: Graham Cook, Don Peschke, Bob Wortman, Katie Roth, Dave Watson, William Newland.  Seated from left to right: John Paule and Peter Brown)

BIOGRAPHIES

Graham J. Cook.  Graham is Chairman of the Board, President and CEO of Homesteaders.  Graham began his career with Homesteaders in 1966 and was elected to the Board of Directors in 1994 and was elected Chairman in 1999.  Current term February 2009-February 2014. 

Don Peschke.  Don founded August Home Publishing in 1978. Today, in addition to magazine publishing, August Home has created divisions for special interest publications. Don was elected to the Board in 2006.  Current term February 2010-February 2015.

Robert D. Wortman.  Bob retired as the Executive Vice President-Administration and Secretary for Homesteaders. Bob began his career with Homesteaders in 1967 and was elected to the Board of Directors in 1997.  Current term February 2007-February 2012.

Mary K. (Katie) Roth.  Katie is the President of an employment services company, PorticoHR and is professionally certified by the Society for Human Resource Management as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR). Katie was elected to the Board of Directors in 2003.  Current term February 2008-February 2013. 

Dave (Wally) Watson.  Dave is a founding partner of LWBJ Financial and is in charge of its real estate practice.  He specializes in the taxation of partnerships, limited liability companies and real estate transactions.  Dave was elected to the Board in 2010.  Current term February 2010-February 2015. 

Dr. William H. Newland.  Dr. Newland practices in Des Moines and was elected to the Board of Directors in 1993. Current term February 2008-February 2013. 

John Paule.  John has an extensive background in insurance operations, technology and marketing and was formerly with FBL Financial Group. Prior to joining FBL, John spent 21 years with IBM Corporation specializing in financial services and was elected to the Board of Directors in 2009.  Current term November 2009-February 2012. 

Peter A. Brown.  Peter is the owner of Peter A. Brown Commercial Real Estate Services in Des Moines and was elected to the Board of Directors in 2003.  Current term February 2008-February 2013.