Siouxland GO thrives thanks to its dedicated board. Comprised of nine passionate individuals—including the President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, Marketing, Special Events, Community Engagement, Innovation Market, and Past President—each board member plays an essential role in shaping the organization’s success. While the Special Events and Innovation Market board positions lead dedicated committees, all board members contribute to creating meaningful opportunities for members, attracting new participants, and fostering partnerships with local businesses. From professional development workshops to engaging volunteer events, Siouxland GO remains a strong, stable, and vibrant organization thanks to the collective efforts of its board.
Kristen Heimgartner, Co-President
Hometown Le Mars Heritage Foundation – Executive Director
Kristen grew up in Le Mars, Iowa, and is a graduate of Le Mars Community. She went on to attend Iowa State University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Event Management.
Today, Kristen serves as the Executive Director of the Hometown Le Mars Heritage Foundation where she plans and executes Le Mars’ two major community events — Ice Cream Days and Christmas in Le Mars — while also working to bring visitors to Le Mars to experience everything the community has to offer.
As Co-President of Siouxland GO, Kristen helps lead efforts to connect, support, and empower young professionals across the Siouxland region. She is passionate about fostering collaboration, building community, and creating opportunities for members to grow both personally and professionally.
In her free time, Kristen enjoys spending time outdoors kayaking or relaxing with a good book. She also loves quilting, baking, and spending time with friends and family.
Sidney Marks, Co-President
Food Bank of Siouxland – Development & Communications Manager
Sidney Marks joined Siouxland GO in May of 2022, becoming the Community Engagement Chair starting in 2023 and President in 2024. Originally from Omaha, Sidney came to Sioux City following in the footsteps of her father, attending Briar Cliff University. (Go Chargers!) After graduating in 2018, she worked for her alma mater’s marketing department for 4 years until closing the yearbook and going to work for the Food Bank of Siouxland, assisting in promoting the services the Food Bank provides to the community.
Sidney has grown to love Sioux City as her home, finding some of her favorite people out here. If you’re looking, you can probably spot her eating some truffle fries at Diving Elk, playing sand volleyball/intramurals at the Ickey Nickel and Long Lines, attending shows at the Hard Rock, throwing some axes at Axe to Grind, or just taking a walk at Bacon Creek. Her motto on living here: “Sioux City is a trap in the best way possible. Once you find your people here, you’ll never want to leave.”
Josh Westendorf, Vice President
Second Trip Travel – Travel Advisor
A Western Iowa native, Josh Westendorf graduated from Morningside College in 2017 with a BS in Business Administration with an emphasis in marketing. He has worked as the sales & marketing director for an agriculture equipment manufacturer since, honing his skills in leadership while serving a nation-wide customer base. In 2022 he started his own travel agency to help make travel achievable for everyone. For both roles, Josh often travels to attend conferences, trade shows, and training opportunities to continually improve his skills. He is passionate about content creation and new technology, and will always be the first person trying out a new app or gadget.
Josh is a father to two human children and one canine child. In his free time, Josh enjoys distance running, water activities, and playing board games. He is an active member of the Sioux City disc golf league, and in summer can often be found on a lake or a disc golf course.
Josh is thankful for the opportunity to be vice president of Siouxland GO, and hopes to bring the organizations potential to new eyes and ears throughout his term.
Ben Fegenbush, Treasurer
Stifel, Kletschke Wealth Management Group – Financial Advisor Associate
Ben is a Sioux City native and graduate of Sioux City North. He spent several years away from Sioux City in Iowa City and then Estherville but eventually made his way back to the place he has always considered home. After moving back to Sioux City, Ben married his high school sweetheart, Kamryn, and started a family that now consists of two children, two cats, and a dog! Ben got involved in Siouxland GO in 2024 to make an impact in and give back to the community that helped turn him into who he is today. He is excited for the opportunity to serve on the board and as Treasurer to further his impact and to help others enjoy what Siouxland has to offer. Ben is also a member of Siouxland Estate Planning Council. He spends his free time going on walks and hikes with his family, traveling, camping, golfing, or gathering friends for a backyard cookout or game night.
Kari Sandage, Secretary
Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center – Naturalist I
Kari grew up in the small southwest Iowa town of Atlantic. She attended Central College in Pella, IA where she played volleyball and double majored in Environmental Studies and Spanish. After graduating, she pursued a master’s degree in environmental science at Antioch University New England in Keene, NH. She was also enrolled in the Peace Corps Master’s International program and spent 27 months as an Environmental Education Volunteer in Nicaragua, where she completed her master’s thesis project. After finishing her degree, Kari continued traveling and landed her first job with the National Park Service in Alaska at Denali National Park. Afterward she moved to Fort Payne, Alabama to work at Little River Canyon National Preserve. During the 2020 pandemic, Kari had to make a career change and fortunately ended up in Sioux City. Kari now works as a Naturalist for the Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center. She is happy to be closer to family and is thrilled to call Sioux City home. In her free time Kari enjoys playing volleyball, going for runs around her neighborhood, hiking, yoga, and hanging out with her cats.
Kari joined Siouxland GO in 2023 with the hopes of making friends and career connections. She is excited for her new role as Secretary and hopes to connect with other people who are new to Sioux City and welcome them into our community.
Alexia Reyes, Marketing
Riverside Technologies, Inc. (RTI) – Senior Marketing Specialist
Alexia Reyes serves as Marketing Chair for the Siouxland Growth Organization (SGO). She earned her undergraduate degree in Advertising & Public Relations from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and is continuing her education at UNL at the graduate level. Raised in South Sioux City, Nebraska, she views Siouxland as a community with significant potential and is committed to supporting the SGO mission.
Sydney Mcmanamy-hermann, Special Events
United Real Estate Solutions, Inc. – Director of Recruitment & Marketing
Sydney is a Siouxland native and a graduate of Sioux City East High School. She briefly left Siouxland to earn a degree in business management and minors in accounting, marketing, and sales from the University of Nebraska- Lincoln. When she’s not working, she enjoys spending quality time with my family and getting involved with community organizations like River-Cade, Siouxland Growth Organization, the Sioux City Events, Facilities, and Tourism Advisory Board, Junior League of Sioux City, and the United Way of Siouxland.
Sydney Palmer, Community Engagement
Fundraising & Events Coordinator
Tom Hermann, Innovation Market
Fundraising & Events Coordinator
Tom is a Siouxland native and graduated from Sioux City East High School. He earned his degree in Industrial Technology from Iowa State University. After college he returned to Siouxland and works as an Automation Project Manager at Thompson Solutions Group. Through the Siouxland Growth Organization, he has been able to get involved in community organizations such as Community Action Agency of Siouxland, Siouxland Growth Organization, & United Way of Siouxland.
In his free time Tom enjoys watching hockey be it in person or broadcast, entertaining friends and family for a game night and catching up on the latest documentaries or docuseries.