Management Team

RUTH HAUS
President
rhaus@lhf.org

JANET CLAIR DENNIS
Co-Director of Programming
jdennis@lhf.org

Janet has been with Living History Farms for 27 years. She has a bachelor’s degree in history from Central College in Pella and a master’s degree in historical administration from Eastern Illinois University. She has previously worked at the Bettendorf Children’s Museum in Iowa and Historic Fort Casper in Wyoming. She has a special interest in Victorian-era foodways, handwork, and culture. Outside the museum, she has volunteered for Swing Des Moines, a local nonprofit swing dancing organization, and is a member of P.E.O. She also has three cockatiels and six parakeets.

JOE HART
Director of Facilities & Security
jhart@lhf.org

Joe has 16 years of security experience in the federal, state, and private sectors, including five years of active duty in an airborne unit at Fort Bragg. He grew up in Des Moines and has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Grand View University. In his spare time, he likes to take his bicycle out on local trails, shop for vinyl records at thrift stores, and work on restoring his great-grandparents’ 1919 home.

BRAD HODGES
Director of Finance & Administration
bhodges @lhf.org

Brad comes to Living History Farms with more than 30 years of experience in manufacturing and agricultural accounting and finance, the past 26 years in egg production. He recently served as treasurer and board member for the Iowa Egg Council and has served as board member for several other community organizations through the years. Brad is a Des Moines native and graduated from Grand View University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He enjoys long bike rides on Iowa trails and spending time with his children and grandchildren.

STACIE HOOKER
Director of Community Engagement
shooker@lhf.org

Stacie brings 11 years of museum experience to Living History Farms. She holds a bachelor of arts in anthropology from Iowa State University and a master of science in business analytics from the University of Iowa. In her free time, she enjoys nature—whether hiking, tending her garden, or tailgating and cheering on the Iowa State Cyclones. From field trips back in fifth grade to more recent Walnut Hill Bluestockings games with her family, Living History Farms is the reason Stacie chose a career in museums.

DANIEL JONES
Co-Director of Programming
djones@lhf.org

In three decades at Living History Farms, Dan has done nearly everything. He has been a summer camp counselor, café and rental worker, broom shop interpreter, supervisor, outreach coordinator, and education manager. In 2010, he became director of education. He holds a bachelor’s in history and secondary education from Loras College and a master’s in history from Iowa State University. Prior to working at Living History Farms, he taught seventh and eighth grade social studies in Dubuque, and he continues to hold an Iowa teaching license. Originally from northeast Iowa, he counts Iowa history and the teaching of it among his professional passions.

ELIZABETH KEEST SEDREL
Director of Marketing & Communications
esedrel@lhf.org

Elizabeth brings more than 25 years of experience in communications to her role at Living History Farms, having previously worked for the Des Moines Register, Better Homes & Gardens, and the state of Iowa. She holds a bachelor’s in journalism from Northwestern University and a master’s in public administration from Drake University. In her spare time, she binge-watches nature and history documentaries, hosts puppy play dates, and tries to beat her Sunday New York Times Crossword record.