Mayor & Council

Dean O’Connor has served as the President /Co-owner of a 50-year-old family business, Larry’s Window Service, Inc. for the past 30 years.  He and his brother grew the company from 12 employees to over 50, offering window cleaning, pressure washing and building restoration services across the state of Iowa.

O’Connor has served on the Altoona City Council from 2012 to 2017 and as Mayor since 2018.

O’Connor earned his Bachelor of Arts from Ambassador College. Over the years, he has served many organizations, including Altoona Soccer Club, Director of Coaching (eight years), Altoona Park Board (two terms), Altoona Campus Board (three terms), S.E. Polk Booster Club, parent representative for track, soccer and cross country, Committee to Build Altoona Spring Creek Sports Complex, BOMA Board (Building Owners and Managers Association) two terms, SE Polk Education Foundation – Board Member, President, Metro Waste Authority – Board Member, Past Vice Chair, Past Chair, Metropolitan Advisory Committee, CVB – Catch Des Moines – Board Member, Central Iowa Water Trails – Board Member, Altoona City Council Member – (six years) and Altoona Mayor – (two years)

When O’Connor bought the lot next door to his house, he planted a 640-square-foot native Iowa prairie area in his backyard, and it is now a small thriving Iowa Prairie. In his free time, he enjoys watching English Premier League soccer, traveling and playing golf.

Dean is married to his wife, Dawn and they have two sons, Tyler and Tanner.

Term expires: 12-31-2023

Jeremy is serving his second term on the City Council. He currently serves on the East Polk Innovation Collaborative board, Metro Waste Authority, East Region Development Think Tank Exploratory Committee, Mercy College of Health Sciences Advisory Board, Polk County Emergency Management, and is the Public Safety and Altoona Chamber of Commerce liaison. He has also served on the Metropolitan Planning Organization board, Altoona Parks Boards as a liaison, and on the executive board of Altoona Palooza.

Jeremy works at Perficut Site Management as the Director of Business Development and Sales, and is the co-owner of Reclaimed Rails Brewing Co. In 2016 he was named the Altoona Chamber Entrepreneur of the Year and in 2013 he was the co-recipient of the Newell Franklin Award which recognizes the tireless service and support of the Altoona community and Altoona Chamber of Commerce. He is a past graduate of the Eastern Polk Leadership Program, and the Associated General Contractors of Iowa Leadership Academy. He is a member of the Altoona, Bondurant, and Downtown Chambers of Commerce.

Term expires: 12-31-2025

Raised here in Iowa, it was Elizabeth’s passion for agriculture that led her to Iowa State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Business & International Agriculture. Elizabeth also holds a Juris Doctorate from Drake Law School, specializing in agricultural law and policy, and is a licensed attorney in the State of Iowa.

Throughout her professional career she has specialized in helping rural Iowa and small businesses sustain their voice in the political process, with much of her time now focused on promoting biodiesel across the midwest for Renewable Energy Group. In addition to her professional career, she is an active resident and volunteer within her community, and was elected to the Altoona City Council in November of 2019.

She also holds leadership roles within the ISU Alumni Association Young Alumni Council, American Agricultural Law Association, and Young Professional in Agriculture. Recently Elizabeth was recognized as of the Des Moines Register’s “15 To Watch in 2020,” AgGrad’s “30 Under 30 in Agriculture,” and was named the 2019 Emerging Leader Award winner by Iowa State University College of Agriculture & Life Sciences.

Outside of her professional and community commitments, Elizabeth enjoys traveling, gardening, and the occasional Pinterest project.

Term expires: 12-31-2023

Scott Duer has lived in the Southeast Polk area his entire life, graduating from Southeast Polk High School in 1985. Scott is a 1989 graduate from the University of Northern Iowa where he majored in finance. For the past 28 years, Scott has worked in the Information Technology industry designing, consulting, managing, and providing IT solutions to clients across Iowa and Illinois with projects ranging in size from Fortune 500 companies to locally owned businesses. Since 2008, Scott has been employed at Data Power Technology (DPT Group), as a sales engineer. In this current role he assists IT clients with their data center power and cooling needs.

Over the years Scott has served in various organizations including: Southeast Polk Youth Tackle Football, Altoona Little League, Altoona Baseball, Altoona Youth Soccer, Altoona Campus Basketball, Blitz Builders, and Habitat for Humanity. Scott was recently elected to his first term on Altoona City Council.

As a City Council Member, Scott is currently involved in the following organizations

• City of Altoona Park Board Member
• East Polk Innovation Collaborative Board Member
• BRAVO Board Member

Scott and his wife Michelle have two adult children, Adrian and Ashley and reside in Altoona. In his free time, Scott enjoys fishing with his family, cooking, football, working on his Jeep, and supporting community events.

Term expires: 12-31-2025

Vern Willey II was sworn into office on 1-4-2016.

Vern Willey retired from the City of Altoona after serving the citizens of Altoona for 41 ½ years. During his career with Altoona he performed many duties including Water Supt., Building and Zoning Official, Assistant to the City Administrator, Public Works Director and Community Services Director. He was a certified water and waste water operator. He also had National certifications in Building, Plumbing, Mechanical, and Electrical Inspection.

Vern has served on or chaired many boards and organizations over the years including Mid Iowa Construction Code Committee, Iowa Assoc. of Building Officials, Iowa Assoc. of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, American Water Works Assoc., American Public Works Assoc., Metropolitan Planning Organization and the Altoona Campus.

Vern is presently serving on the Altoona Campus Board, 4 Mile Creek Watershed Management Association, Mud Camp and Spring Creek Watershed Management Association (Chair), Metropolitan Planning Organization (Policy Committee) MPO Bicycle and Pedestrian Roundtable (Chair) , CIRDWC, and WRA. Statewide Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee.

Vern is married to wife Vicky and has 5 grown children. He and his wife are active in the community and have helped plan and put on the Altoona Tune-up Bike Ride for the past 5 years along with the Altoona Family Fun Fest. His favorite hobby and passion is cycling and its promotion.

Term expires: 12-31-2023