Staff

CEO

Al Lorenzen

I arrived at the Ranch in February of 2011 after a year and a half as a member of the Board, following a passion to serve where the need is the greatest. I have been blessed with many opportunities in my life that have led me to my current position as CEO of Wildwood Hills Ranch of Iowa. My focus here is striving to follow God’s will by modeling the characteristics of a servant leader. I have a beautiful daughter named Haley and my wife Barb and I live in the Des Moines area with our two energetic sons, Luke and Levi.

Executive Director

Matt Moeckl

My background is in real estate and finance, but I have been serving at Wildwood Hills Ranch since 2004. While at the Ranch that summer I read a letter to a nine-year-old boy that his mother had written telling him they could no longer be a family. That boy went into the custody of the state after he left the Ranch. I thought about that boy numerous times and wondered where he ended up. After jumping back into my real estate career I was approached by another organization to volunteer with abused, neglected and impoverished children. Three years later, while working with that organization, the young man I read the letter to showed up not only in my cabin but in the group of three children I was responsible for that week. Shortly after that experience I was employed full time at the Ranch. I believe that many of the problems in our society, and around the globe, are caused by fathers failing to follow through with their responsibilities. I believe the reason I was put on earth is to defend the cause of the fatherless. I spend my free time with my beautiful wife Jena, our daughters Bekah and Maddie, our son Wyatt, and our family and close friends.

Youth Development Director

Ben Cohen

When I first arrived at the Ranch, I was moved in such a way I couldn’t explain. There weren’t even kids here yet in May when I showed up for my UNI Leisure Youth and Human Services Internship. Throughout the summer I was able to see God working here and in my life by showing me all that was possible with these kids. The sometimes tragic stories I’ve heard from our students is a reminder that there is work to be done, and we can’t do it alone. There are children out there who need our love and a safe place to grow, learn and heal. I grew up in the small town of Chariton, Iowa, and lost my mother, whom I loved dearly, at the age of 12. I share this only because I believe that she has helped me see the light even in times of darkness, and given me the passion for helping others to have reasons to smile. I also realize my past experience has lead me to working with youth who are considered at-risk. I want to be a part in changing the world and I know now that sharing God’s love and getting our youth outdoors is the way to do so. In my full-time position I get to help prove the ways we are making a difference by measuring our goals. I love sharing with the world all that Wildwood Hills Ranch is doing because I believe in this place with all my heart.

Finance & Administration Director

Chris Ellifritt

I started at the Ranch in August 2012. After working for several years I went back to school to get my degree in business administration. Upon completion I reentered the workforce, but couldn’t seem to find the right fit. When I was approached for this position I finally found what I was looking for. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to work here and I thank God for bringing me to a place that does such wonderful things for children. I have an awesome husband, Ed, and four wonderful kids, Mike, Shawn, Cassie and Jennie. Also, I have the cutest grandson, Drake. I feel privileged to be able to come to work every day and participate in what God is doing here.

Assistant Facility Director

Cole Smith

Wildwood Hills Ranch is like home to me. I grew up in St. Charles and started at Wildwood as a Rancher, when I was 8 years old. My very first job was working in the Ranch’s equestrian center and doing maintenance. When I wasn’t successful in school the Ranch took me in and schooled me. Two years later I graduated with Al Lorenzen’s signature on my diploma. This place is like my family.

I left the Ranch for five years but came back in 2017 because this is where I feel called to serve. I enjoy hunting and fishing. Cars, motors and farming are my passion. I’m very good at working with my hands so the position at Wildwood is a natural fit.

Event Director

DeLayne Hebert

My involvement in the ranch started in 2003 when I came here as a camper! The journey with this amazing organization has become full circle now, as I am working as a full time employee. My background is a college graduate from AIB College of Business, with starting my career as an accounting intern. I then worked in personal development as a DISC personality assessment facilitator, trainer and speaker. After that, I worked for a real estate company on staff which led me to get my real estate license. I strive to help people and that is why my role at Wildwood is to coordinate groups and volunteers visits as well as help with the fundraising events! I am ecstatic to help bring awareness to Wildwood in communities and help serve children all over Iowa who are deemed at risk, like I once was.

Child Development Director

Genelle Engelhoven

I graduated from Evangel University in 2014 with a degree in elementary education, a minor in leadership and a passion for volleyball after playing all four years in college. My major specifically reflects my huge heart for kids, and God has broken my heart for the broken-hearted kids especially. After I graduated from Evangel, I spent about six months in Australia doing a Discipleship Training School through an amazing organization, YWAM (Youth with a Mission). During my time doing missions work in Australia and the nearby island of Papua New Guinea, I realized that a big part of my heart was still in Iowa of all places, because of the kids I had worked with during my three summers at Wildwood Hills Ranch. It has been amazing to see how God has used my passion for ministry, kids and leadership by leading me to Wildwood to share His unfailing and everlasting love with at-risk kids and youth. (Jeremiah 31:3) I am so thankful that God has greater plans than I do, and I look forward to continuing to learn and grow here at the Ranch as I oversee our Rancher program and recruit awesome staff to invest in our kids’ lives.

Communications Coordinator

Heather Hermanson

I’m thankful and humbled to serve Wildwood Hills Ranch where the mission of the Ranch lines up with my personal mission—to share God’s love and spirit, which bring healing, transformation and purpose to our lives. This passion comes from my own story—one whereby God’s grace, I found complete healing after being sexually abused as a child.

My husband and I met working at a bible camp in Montana and we adore the camp environment—a place where transformation has opportunity to take root. We have four beautiful, energetic kids and enjoy sharing our love for everything outdoors with them, especially mountains and water. Other things that bring me deep joy: leading people into a deeper relationship and healing with Jesus, the reconciliation process, traveling, playing golf, spending time at my family’s lake cabin and coffee/conversation with friends.

Event Coordinator

Jillyn Gerken

I graduated from Loras College in May 2014 with a degree in Athletic Training and a minor in Coaching. I am currently pursuing my Master’s in Management and Organizational Leadership. I came to Wildwood in 2013 and 2014 as the Aquatics Director on the summer staff. The experience I had helped me grow closer to God again after drifting away for many years. I never expected the kids to have more of an effect on me than I could ever possibly have on them. (God is so good!!) I could never imagine anything better than helping kids realize God’s love; so I was honored when I was offered a position here at the Ranch full-time after the Summer of 2014. I now work as the Event Coordinator, heading up fundraising events to help raise money for scholarships for our kids to come and enjoy our programming! 

Program Director

Kaitlin Lundeen

I graduated from UNI and majored in leisure, youth and human services … essentially I majored in fun! My emphasis was in nonprofit administration and programming and had the opportunity to participate in some incredible internships and experiences in ministry, camps and nonprofits. Through many of these experiences God began to break my heart and draw my attention to people who did not have the same story as me. Those who were stuck in abuse and neglect, who didn’t have healthy families, or who lacked the security, blessing and opportunities I had been given. God brought me to Wildwood and my passions, interests and gifts began to align. I am absolutely loving getting to work with our summer staff and ranchers! Plus, when your “office” includes a high ropes course, waterslide and bonfire pit, each day is a new adventure!

Equine Specialist

Kelly Williams

From a young age, horses have a played a central role in my life. As a youth, I earned many year-end awards, trophies, ribbons and buckles for a variety of events at shows and was a two-time state champion at the Des Moines fairgrounds. Bulls and Barrels event accomplishments include series buckle Champion, National Barrel Horse Association (NBHA) Top 5 1D numerous years, World Show qualifications, Super Show and Great Lakes Nationals Top 10, Can Chaser Top 5 1D money earner numerous years and Team Event Greenfield Series Champion.

I began competing in the Iowa Rodeo Association (IRA), Iowa Rodeo Cowboys Association (IRCA) and the United Rodeo Association (URA), qualifying for each association’s finals multiple times on several different horses. I earned Top 5 year-end standings multiple times in both the IRCA and IRA as a go-round winner, average winner and fastest times and was an IRCA Champion. I competed in the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA), traveling across the Midwest to Pro Rodeos. During this time, my boys began to show an interest in rodeo life and are now successful at the national level with my oldest earning a full-ride rodeo scholarship to Fort Scott in Kansas. I also sell, promote, jockey and broker some of the best horses in the barrel racing industry.

All of the saddles, buckles, money, interviews, traveling and selling mean nothing compared to watching God heal a child through a horse. I love coming to Wildwood Hills Ranch and seeing kids’ hearts healed, preserved and grown through horses. My view and thankfulness of horses has taken on a totally different meaning, one I am blessed to experience every day.

Equine Activity Director

Lynn Winkelmann

“Mr. Lynn,” as he is known here at the Ranch, was in Arizona working at a gorgeous guest ranch as head wrangler. It was a wonderful position in a beautiful location, but it was a training ground and God was at work. The thoughts, “I feel I’m not serving the Lord as well as I might” kept running through his mind. He prayed, “God, lead me to work with kids and horses.” Well, God does hear and answer prayers! And now as the director of equine activities, Mr. Lynn works with hundreds of kids each year through the summer programs, develops and leads equine-assisted learning and equine-assisted psychotherapy sessions for kids throughout the year, leads the drill team, gives riding lessons, takes care of our incredible indoor arena and provides for about 35 horses throughout the year.

Facility Director

Mike Huntley

My role is to maintain the property—indoors and out. What brought me to the Ranch was God placing me here at the right time for His plan. I enjoy serving God at the Ranch and playing a part in changing kids’ lives. I have a wonderful wife, Valerie, and two daughters, Sydney and Mikayla.