Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors have successful, tenured careers in the agriculture and vegetation management industries as well as philanthropy efforts. The Wright Foundation for Sustainability and Innovation was founded to leverage their united passion for creating sustainable and renewable practices that reduce environmental risk to our communities. They are dedicated to finding solutions to the complex issues we face today in order to make the world a better place today and tomorrow.

Scott D. Packard has been in the tree care and environmental services industry for over 25 years. Scott joined Wright Service Corp. in July 1998 and was appointed to President and COO three years later. In October 2002, Scott took on the position of Chairman and CEO of Wright Service Corp., and retired as CEO on September 30, 2023. He held a number of executive positions prior to joining the executive leadership team at Wright Service Corp. Scott is involved in various industry organizations including the Tree Care Industry Association, International Society of Arboriculture and Utility Arborist Association.

Scott has been active in various nonprofit organizations, including the American Red Cross, Trees Forever and the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a past chairman of Area 4 Iowa. Scott brings his experience in administration and team building to lead and support foundation initiatives. He is particularly interested in improving and enhancing the urban canopy to drive positive changes in air, water and soil quality. Scott appreciates the opportunity the foundation provides to affect change that can improve our environment and our quality of life.

Scott began his career after graduating from the University of Kentucky with a Bachelor of Science in accounting. His professional focus is on team building and giving his teams the opportunities to grow and expand their technical and leadership abilities. In September 2016, Scott became the first recipient of the Management Action Programs (MAP) Disciplined Leader Award, which recognizes select leaders who have consistently exhibited the qualities of a disciplined leader.

Austin Kennedy joined Wright Service Corp. as General Counsel in April 2013. Prior to joining Wright Service Corp., Austin was an attorney in private practice for seven years in Des Moines, Iowa, practicing in many areas involving employment law, immigration law and litigation. In 2019, Austin was promoted to General Counsel, Chief Human Resources Officer and Senior Vice President. Austin most recently served as the company’s President and COO for the last two years before assuming the role of President and CEO of Wright Service Corp. on October 1, 2023.

Austin graduated from Macalester College in 2000, where he received the Livingston-Patnode Award for his special contributions to the English Department. He then earned his law degree from Drake Law School in 2005. In 2015, Austin earned his Credential of Readiness from Harvard Business School’s HBX CORe program, which establishes competencies in business analytics, economics and accounting.

Dr. Sara Crawford joined Sustainable Environmental Consultants (SEC) as president in May 2022. Her experience and connections throughout the supply chain bring a unique perspective and understanding of core points throughout the supply network. With an extensive background in agriculture, animal and meat sciences, and sustainability, and a client first focus, her insight and executive leadership drives innovation for regenerative agriculture practices and food supply related industries throughout all facets of the company.

Prior to joining the SEC team, Dr. Crawford served as vice president of sustainability for National Pork Board and was responsible for strategic direction and venture leadership with the support of producer leaders. Preceding her role as vice president, Dr. Crawford held several positions with National Pork Board, including assistant vice president of sustainability, assistant vice president of animal welfare, and assistant vice president of social responsibility. Before joining National Pork Board, she was a beef and pork vendor specialist for OSI Group and served as an assistant professor and then department chair of the animal sciences program at Delaware Valley University.

Dr. Crawford has a Ph.D. in animal welfare science, her M.S. in meat science and genetics and an undergraduate degree in animal sciences, all from the Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. Outside of work, Dr. Crawford enjoys spending time with family and friends, gardening, playing and watching a variety of sports, biking, hiking, and spending time outdoors.

Ken Roberts joined Wright Service Corp. as an Assistant Controller in 2018. Before joining Wright Service Corp., Ken held various roles within the accounting industry with a career spanning over 10 years in both public accounting and the private industry. Currently, Ken serves as Vice President, Corporate Controller for Wright Service Corp. His diverse financial background has equipped him with a comprehensive understanding of financial management, reporting, and regulatory compliance.

Ken received a bachelor’s degree in accounting and business administration from Grand View University. He obtained his CPA designation in 2015, and maintains an active membership with both the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Iowa Society of Certified Public Accountants (ISCPA).

In addition to his professional endeavors, Ken is committed to community involvement and service. He has served as Treasurer on the board of a non-profit organization in Des Moines, Iowa, where he was able to apply his financial expertise to advance the organization’s mission and impact. Outside of work, Ken enjoys spending time with his family, pursuing outdoor activities, and giving back to his community.

Dr. Lisa Schulte Moore is a professor in the Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management and co-director of the Bioeconomy Institute at Iowa State University. She conducts research and teaches in the areas of agriculture, ecology, forestry and human-landscape interactions. She works with teams of scientists, engineers, students, farmers, and others to restore continuous living cover on the landscape and protect Iowa’s precious soils. She also works with businesses to create new markets to support rural economies and meet society’s goals for clean water, abundant wildlife, and inspiring recreational opportunities.

Pete De Kock joined the City of Clive as Assistant City Manager in April 2018. He collaborates with colleagues, elected officials, business leaders, and residents to promote community engagement and craft inspiring stories. He also helps lead government affairs, IT, grant writing, and strategic projects, including water resources planning. Pete graduated from Grinnell College and Harvard University, where he studied political and social ethics. After completing his degrees, Pete started his community building and public service career, spending several years working for the U.S. House of Representatives. Before joining the City of Clive, he led civil society and arts nonprofits in Chicago and Des Moines.

Pete loves cycling, fishing, music, and barbecue, but his true love is family. He and his partner Jen have two young sons.

Keegan Kult is the Executive Director of the Agricultural Drainage Management Coalition (ADMC), where he coordinates efforts to speed the implementation of water management practice delivery throughout the United States. ADMC is an industry-led organization recognized as a leader developing and deploying conservation drainage practices. Kult has been working with agricultural water management for more than 15 years and has contributed to 100+ edge-of-field practice installations, development of new conservation practice standards, and to the scientific literature documenting practice performance and cost-effectiveness. He also serves as the President of the Illinois Sustainable Ag Partnership, on the advisory committee for the Overholt Drainage School, Vice-Chair of the Conservation Drainage Network, and as a board member for the Iowa Agricultural Mitigation.

He holds an M.S. degree from Iowa State University in Environmental Science emphasizing on water
resources and a B.S. degree also from Iowa State University in Forestry.

Kacey Davis, FNP-BC, is the Director of Health and Wellness for Dotdash Meredith Corporation. Her experience includes working at Rush University Medical Center emergency department and treating patients as a family nurse practitioner at Primary Health Care, Inc. Kacey currently serves on the executive committee of the Broadlawns Board of Trustees. She was elected to office in November of 2022. Additionally, she is on the Board of Directors for the Young Women’s Resource Center. Her past volunteer activities include Best Buddies, Cabrini Green Tutoring Program in Chicago, and volunteer medical missions to Guatemala and Haiti.

Kacey was born and raised in Des Moines, graduating from Roosevelt High School. She and
her husband reside in Des Moines with their toddler and new baby. In their free time, they
enjoy hiking, swimming and other outdoor activities.

Deidre DeJear is a small business owner and voting rights advocate who is driven by her passion to create equitable, inclusive, and accessible opportunities for all. Deidre spearheaded the opening of Iowa’s first Financial Empowerment Center, and has worked on projects such as One Economy, and other financial empowerment efforts. In 2018, Deidre ran as the Democratic Nominee for Iowa Secretary of State, and in 2022, was the Democratic Nominee for Iowa Governor. She founded Vision Leads and co-founded Back 2 School Iowa and LadyLike. DeJear is also a member of the Des Moines Chapter of the Links, Inc., board chair of Count the Kicks, board member of The Directors Council, City of Des Moines Housing Services Board, and Interfaith Alliance.

Deidre lives in Des Moines with her husband Marvin, and her two dogs, Macy and Maurice.