Jeff Danielson is the current Central States Director for the American Wind Energy Association. He is a former Iowa State Senator serving four terms from Black Hawk County, where he was also a career professional firefighter with the City of Cedar Falls and an adjunct professor of public policy at the University of Northern Iowa. He is a double alumnus of the University of Northern Iowa, with a BA in Public Administration (summa cum laude) and a Master’s of Public Policy. Jeff is a Navy veteran and makes his home in Waterloo, Iowa with his wife Kim. He has two grown children, Brendan and Erin.

Jeff joined the board because of his passion for keeping kids safe through a lifetime of service. He was a responding firefighter to Tate’s accident and wants Tate’s miracle story of survival and recovery to help other families through this experience and provide community education to prevent future accidents.

Amanda Goodman spent 18 years working as a journalist in the TV news industry. She decided to “retire” from news so she could make a bigger impact as an advocate for children. A mother of four, Amanda now serves as the Executive Director of Family & Children’s Council, the area’s child abuse prevention agency. Their mission is to make sure every child in our community is happy, healthy and safe.

“When Tate had his accident, I watched communities near and far rally around him and his family with prayers and support. It’s an honor to serve on the Board because it’s humbling to watch Ryan & Fonda pour so much passion into Tate’s Army to make sure no other family suffers a tragedy like they did. As parents we know that accidents happen, but often times we think it will never happen to us. We need the community to rally around Tate’s Army and its mission so we can keep every child safe.”

Originally from New Hampton, Iowa, Heather attended the University of Northern Iowa where she received a B.A. in accounting. She has spent her career with BerganKDV, Ltd at their Waterloo, Iowa office. Heather serves on various boards and committees, including Exceptional Persons, Inc., Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa, UNI Foundation and her church. She is an active member of the Black Hawk County Estate Planning Council, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Iowa Society of CPAs. During her free time she enjoys spending time with family, biking, camping and reading.

Heather enjoys volunteering her services to assist non-profits within her tax and financial services knowledge base. Tate’s Army has a wonderful mission to help families with education and support to prevent future accidents and she looks forward to being a part of this board.

Originally from Cedar Rapids, I graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in architecture and have been working in the Cedar Valley for the last two decades, starting Levi Architecture in 2005. I enjoy serving youth and the disabled in my community through volunteering in multiple capacities at Exceptional Persons, Inc., Winnebago Council – Boy Scouts of America, Black Hawk Childcare Coalition and others. In my free time I enjoy spending time with my family and golfing.

I’m looking forward to helping guide this new endeavor to bring awareness to families of lawn mower safety and support those that have experienced tragedy.

Mary lives in Cedar Falls where she is busy watching her nieces and nephews in sporting activities! During the day Mary is the Children and Family Services Director at Exceptional Persons Inc. Through that role she leads the Region 2 Child Care Resource and Referral Agency, Child and Adult Care Food Program and also oversees the contract between Hawkeye Community College and EPI for the Child Care Center at the Hawkeye Child Development Center, ALC site. Mary also leads the Safe Kids Cedar Valley Coalition in Black Hawk County that works to prevent childhood injuries.

Tate’s story is powerful and a true miracle. Through the work of the Safe Kids Cedar Valley Coalition, Mary wanted to help the Manahl family educate families and communities on the importance of Lawn Mower Safety.

Pam Hoogerwerf has been the Manager of the Pediatric Injury Prevention and Community Outreach program at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital since 2008. Her passion for keeping kids safe from injuries within and outside the home is what keeps her going. Too many preventable injuries and deaths are happening to children, and it is her mission to reduce those numbers. She has a Certification in Injury Prevention from John’s Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and is a certified child passenger safety technician. She is a mother of 2 and a new grandmother so her expertise will be personally utilized.

Pam’s interest in being on Tate’s Army Board was due to meeting the Manahl family and helping them heal from Tate’s horrific injuries and welcoming them as Champions to help educate others on the importance of lawn mower injuries. Her mantra is if we can help one family prevent a significant injury or death to a child, we have made a difference.

The work that Tate and his army are doing is meaningful and impactful. The tangible assistance they create is one thing, but if the awareness they raise saves even a single life, no amount of effort spent is too much. I am humbled and honored to take part in the mission and thankful for the legacy of dear friend, Todd Eagen, who introduced me to Tate, Ryan, and his family.

Jeff lives with his wife and two daughters in the Cedar Valley where they attend Candeo Church and he works for The VGM Group, Inc. He also happens to be an upper extremity amputee, surviving a childhood lawnmower accident at the age of two. This unique experience allows him empathy for those Tate’s Army serves, and an appreciation for the miracle of life, regardless of circumstance.