Gina Buzzell

Vice Chair

Charlie Johnson

Treasurer

I am a lifelong Iowa resident having lived and worked in almost every corner of the state. In my working life I have been a farmer, a painting contractor, an elementary school teacher, a building principal, a school superintendent and a regional area education administrator. I retired in 2016 after twenty-eight years working in Iowa schools. I live on an acreage in Rural Precinct 6 with my wife, daughter, three goats, three chickens, five cats and one good dog. I’ve been a Democrat all of my adult life and involved with the Boone County Democratic Central Committee for several years. As a member of the Executive Committee of the Boone County Democratic party I hope to help to further our party’s goals to create a more just and equitable society. Forever Blue!

Bea Upah

Communications

Growing up in Central Iowa, I developed a lifelong passion for learning and civic engagement. This passion led me to Iowa State University, where I graduated in 2016 with a degree in Elementary Education. I chose to become a teacher as I simply wanted to help make life better for people. My time at ISU coincided with the 2012 Presidential Election, offering me a firsthand look at the political process and even a memorable chance to speak with then President Obama. 

After graduation, I taught in Boone County schools. Teaching 4th grade civics and the three branches of government was a personal highlight. In 2018, my husband and I bought our first home in Boone, and our family grew from there. Today, we are parents to four children, welcoming our daughters in 2020 and 2022, and adopting our boys in 2021. 

Driven by the belief that it is our responsibility to act when we see an injustice, I am working on a few projects to inspire action on important, yet overlooked, aspects of our community. For example, I partnered with the Boone County Supervisors to research the forgotten history of the Boone County Poor Farm Cemetery, a project that resulted in the dedication of a memorial plaque remembering those buried there. I hope to continue helping others recognize the power they have to engage with their community and make life better.

Dan Wojcik

Chair

Growing up in Northern Michigan, I grew up with a passion for reading. This led me to graduate in the top 10% of my class and instilled a passion for education, which led me to attend the University of Iowa, where I graduated in 2002 with a degree in Studio Arts and a minor in English and Theater. My plan was to become a teacher and inspire our youth to create. Life has a habit of throwing you curveballs when you least expect it though. 

While attending College, I worked for MCI for eight years in customer service. I handled residential accounts, small and medium business accounts, escalated and agency complaints. I eventually left and began working for Galaxy 1 Marketing in the Quad Cities, while my wife attended Palmer College of Chiropractic. After she graduated, we moved around the state for the next several years (North Liberty, Davenport, Boone, Coralville, Joplin, MO, Boone). I picked up what work I could while supporting my wife's desire to be a chiropractor. I worked for GEICO for roughly two years while handling inbound customer calls. In December 2009, my family relocated to Boone for the final time. I worked for the County Auditor's office as a seasonal employee for a few months. Eventually I found full-time employment with Kum & Go, where I started out as an associate, then quickly became a Sales Manager and ultimately the Store Manager over the course of seven years. I left and began working for the Ames Tribune, where I was the District Manager for four years, until the position was eliminated. Today I work for DMACC on the Boone Campus in the Academic Achievement Center two days a week. I also work for Mayhem Comics in Ames two days a week.

My wife Jennifer and I have raised three diverse children in Boone. Two have graduated from Boone High with the third set graduate in a year. I have a strong passion for learning. In my spare time, I work with various professional wrestling promotions throughout the state. Setting up and tearing down rings, photography, security, doing commentary and if allowed, refereeing a match or two. I also have been running a fantasy ttrpg for the last decade. I am also an avid genealogist and numismatist. Somewhere during all of it, I made the time to volunteer for the Boone River Festival for five years as part of the kitchen staff.

Margaret Liston

Secretary

Born in Perry, Iowa, and raised in Beaver, Margaret is the second youngest of seven children, instilling in her a deep sense of collaboration and hard work from an early age. Growing up in a small town like Beaver provided Margaret with a unique perspective on the challenges faced by rural communities. She understands the struggles they encounter, particularly the lack of resources to attract families, businesses, and companies. In the last election cycle, she ran for the Iowa Senate in District 24.

Margaret Liston has been a resident of Iowa her entire life, a testament to her unwavering commitment to this state. She is married to Gerald Duff, and their family includes six adult children and 10 grandchildren, reinforcing her dedication to family values and community bonds.

Margaret's impact on her community is further underscored by her role as a City Councilwoman for the City of Ogden, currently embarking on her fifth term. Her influence extends beyond politics as she co-chairs the city's community garden, fostering a sense of shared responsibility and sustainable living. Margaret is also deeply involved in the educational realm, serving as a volunteer mentor within Ogden Elementary School and contributing as a substitute school nurse and associate, supporting students throughout their school day.

Diana Wright

Communications

A multi-generation Iowan, with roots in NW and SW Iowa, I am the product of our great educational system in this state and of the New Deal and GI benefits, all of which worked to allow me to have a world class public education, including a BS from ISU and an MD degree from the University of Iowa.

I practiced medicine for over 40 years and have always been involved in conservation and environmental issues. I serve on the Boone County Soil and Water commission.

Ordained as an Episcopal priest in 2013, I serve several churches in west central Iowa.

I am married, my wife and I have lived in the Boone area for over a decade. We have an adult daughter who lives in Ames.

I am passionate that our government should serve all people and believe strongly and those who are elected and the laws that they make should serve human needs first and foremost.