Jim Priebe, former director of the Warren County Conservation Board, retired at the age of 58 in early October, leaving behind more than30yearsof environmental leadership.
When Priebe became the directorat the WCCB in 1990, he had just left his position as director in Keokuk County. He said and his wife Ronda decided this new job was the direction to go to begin raising their family.
"I loved what I did in Warren County and it's a wonderful place to work," he said.
After over 36 years working in conservation, he said "it was a really long career and fantastic job, but there does come a day when it's time to do something else."
Priebe, ofIndianola, chose to retire because ofpersonal opportunities he wants to pursue and the chance to spend much more time with his granddaughter."Fulltime grandpa is about the best job ever," he said.
Now, Karen Johlas-Szalkowski is taking over as interim director while the board accepts applications for the open position.