Julie Fiske, President and Executive Director
Julie began working full-time for Growing Hope Foundation as its executive director in September 2012. Prior to that she served 12 years as the pastor of Emmons Lutheran Church, Emmons, MN. While serving Emmons Lutheran Church, Julie was also on the board of directors of the Winnebago Cooperative Telelcom Association. Julie received her Bachelor’s degree in sociology from Luther College, Decorah, IA in 1992 and her Masters of Divinity degree from Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN in 1997. In December 2016, she received her MBA from West Texas A&M University, Canyon, TX.
Christopher Fiske, Director
Chris is a financial planner with Renovo Financial Partners based out of Rochester, MN. Prior to his work as a financial planner, Chris served as pastor of Word of Life Lutheran Church in Fairfield, IA. Chris has also worked as a tutor and supplemental math instructor at North Iowa Area Community College. He primarily worked with students from low-income families who were the first members of their families to attend college. Chris has served in the Army National Guard for 20 years (1984-1996, 2013-present), including four years on active duty (1987-1991). He is currently serving as a supervisory Chaplain in the National Guard. Chris has a Masters of Divinity degree from Lutheran Seminary, St. Paul, MN and a Bachelor of Art in Social Studies (History) Bemidji State University, Bemidji, MN.
Jerry Epland, Vice President
Jerry recently retired from being a senior partner in a family 4000-acre corn and soybean farming operation in southern Minnesota and northern Iowa. In addition to farming for nearly 50 years, Jerry was the president of Epland Trucking, Inc., a commercial trucking firm which was in operation for 25 years. Jerry served on the board of directors of Winnebago Cooperative Telecom Association for 20 years, serving as president for 5 of those years. Jerry also served as chairman of the Planning Commission of Freeborn County, MN.
Lois Epland, Secretary
Lois was a working partner with her husband, Jerry, for nearly 50 years. Lois was raised on the farm on which she and Jerry made their home. In the year 2015 it was designated a century farm. Lois took care of the financial records and did the bookkeeping for their farming operation. She was the office manager for Epland Trucking, Inc for over 20 years. Lois served for 6 years on the board of directors of St John’s Lutheran Home, Albert Lea, MN, serving as president for two of those years. Lois has volunteered in various community organizations, including helping to serve meals to the less fortunate through the Loaves and Fishes program. Lois was a Sunday school teacher for 25 years and currently volunteers with an organization that serves at-risk youth.
Tom Thompson, Director
Tom is a retired CPA, having practiced four years in Chicago with an international CPA firm, and forty one years with TDT CPAs & Advisors in Fairfield, IA, primarily in taxation. Tom is a past president of the Iowa Society of CPAs, past council member of American Institute of CPAs, past chair and three term member of Iowa Board of Accountancy. Locally, Tom has been active with the Fairfield City Council, Community Child Care Center, Fairfield Economic Development Association, and Chamber of Commerce. Current board activity includes the Iowa State Bank & Trust Company and Fairfield Community Center.