Ben’s introduction to rowing came during the DMR Learn to Row session in May of 2022. As a child, he used to watch the boats from his grandparents’ house just up the road from the club, fascinated with the “weird long boats and the person in the boat constantly shouting”. Since Ben started rowing, he has fallen in love with the sport and the community that is Des Moines Rowing, making several friends and great memories along the way.

Tom has been a member of DMR since the spring of 2022. He loves anything that gets him outdoors and allows him to explore new places. His favorite things to do (other than rowing of course) are skiing/snowboarding, cycling, hiking, traveling, and spending time with friends and family. Tom is also a proud dog dad and can often be found out in the community working on obedience with his obstinate dog Kepler. As part of the board, Tom hopes to use his love of the sport to help drive engagement and evangelize the fun and opportunities that rowing brings to the community at large.

Liz joined DMR in spring of 2021 and fell in love instantly, like she knew she would. Born and raised in Northern Ontario, Canada on Georgian Bay (gateway to the North Channel and Lake Huron) she is no stranger to the water. She grew up with immense respect for the water and its uncertainty at times. By day she is a bookkeeper for 2 different small companies. Liz has also served as treasurer on the Parent Faculty Board back in the day when her kids were in elementary school. She enjoys rowing at any time of day, any day of the week. Anything on or in the water is where it’s at folks!

Jen joined Des Moines rowing as a novice in 2023 after seeing a posting about the Head of the Des Moines on a Hydrow site. She participated in the novice and PNG program and then began pursuing her sculling certification so she could find even more opportunities to get on the water. She is the chief medical physicist at John Stoddard Cancer Center and an avid supporter of anything Iowa State.

Frank Levy is the President of Newbury Living, a local real estate developer, and an avid endurance athlete. He graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1985 and discovered rowing the following year as a Yale undergraduate. He made it into the bow of the first boat of the lightweight team his senior year, winning silver at the 1989 national championship. He spent very little time in a boat for about 25 years, then fell back in love with the sport when his daughter joined the DMR juniors.

Denise started rowing in 2018 after seeing a flyer for Learn to Row and thought it would be fun to try. She fell in love with rowing and has been a member ever since. Denise is a native Iowan, graduated from the University of Iowa and lives in Earlham. Spending as much time outdoors is a must and hot summer rows are her favorite. Being a member of DMR has been a great experience, meeting new people, hanging out with crew members and having a good time rowing.

David’s been a member of DMR for 7 years and may be the oldest member at 72! He has served, along with Claire (life partner) as co-captains of a mixed 8 and mixed 4 and appreciate opportunities to scull, too. David loves rowing and our community of rowers. As a physician, he has staffed the first aid tent for the last two Regattas. David would like to see DMR grow in membership and would like to hear from our members to get their concerns and suggestions. Additionally, David would like to see what our membership can do to advocate to clean up the DSM River. His other interests include biking, hiking, yoga, and meditation.

Natalie was first introduced to rowing her sophomore year at The University of Iowa where she joined the novice team. After a long hiatus she joined DMR in 2024 and has enjoyed learning how to scull for the first time. Natalie is a Pilates instructor and massage therapist and is happiest when she’s in motion. Along with rowing, Natalie enjoys dancing, biking, inline skating, hiking, and reading a good book.