Posted on August 23, 2020 at 12:00 PM by Global Reach
Tim began his career in learning citizenship, leadership, and communication skills as an eight-year member of the Wittenberg Winners 4-H Club in Jasper County where he was the club president and he served on the Jasper County Youth Council. His dad, Robert, who had served as a 4-H state president helped with his dairy projects, his grandparents helped with woodworking, and his mom, Harriet, an ISU Extension home economist helped with everything else. 
Tim graduated from Iowa State University. After beginning work at Hills Bank, he quickly became involved with the Johnson County 4-H program. As former Iowa 4-H members, Tim and Steve Wolken started the Hawkeye Helpers 4-H Club to reach youth living in Iowa City.
As a member of the Johnson County 4-H Youth Development Committee from 1980-1986, Tim was actively involved in the leadership and decision making for 4-H in the county. His perspective, his innovative thinking, and ability to ask questions helped expand the reach of 4-H programming.
Tim’s involvement with 4-H and working with Hills Bank provided innumerable opportunities for Johnson County 4-H. One of Tim’s greatest contributions to 4-H was to see the “big picture” of 4-H youth development. He was instrumental in providing funding and support for the yearly Eastern Iowa 4-H Leaders Conference. At the county fair, the staff at Hills Bank takes photographs of 4-H’ers and their exhibits in Johnson and surrounding counties and distribute at the fair. Through Tim’s encouragement, Hills Bank expanded livestock sale support at the Johnson County Fair and sponsored numerous 4-H and fair awards.
As a member of the Iowa 4-H Foundation, Tim served on the foundation board of trustees which benefited Johnson County 4-H as well as all Iowa 4-H’ers. His working relationship with former 4-H Foundation director Florine Swanson and Johnson Co. 4-H staff provided the initiative for the Hills Bank Leadership Grant program including college scholarships and leadership workshops. Over $503,000 has been contributed to the Iowa 4-H Foundation for the scholarships.
Tim played a key role in fundraising for building the “new” Johnson County ISU/Extension Office. In his words, “Hills Bank and Extension have worked closely for years. Albert Droll, John Hughes, Elmer Draker, Dwight Seegmiller and others have always been strong supporters of Extension programming. When it came time to update the facilities and provide a central hub for Extension learning it made sense to be involved.”
Tim is also an outstanding and “connected” community member participating in the following community organizations/groups: Chatham Oaks, Zion Lutheran Church, Iowa Pork Producers Board, Iowa City Community School District Foundation Board, Southeast Iowa Area Research Association, Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce Education Awareness, Iowa City Vocational Education Board.
