MEET YOUR LOCAL WATER BOARD
These five board members are in charge of overseeing the entire Water Works operation. They work hard for the community to make sound business decisions, ensuring the community is provided with safe, quality drinking water at the lowest cost possible. Board members work to ensure water revenues are utilized to improve our water treatment and distribution systems.
Alisha Kale (Board Chair – Board Member since 2012)
Alisha was born and raised in Northeast Missouri on a century farm after graduating from high school, she received her bachelor’s degree from Iowa State University and continued on to Villanova University receiving her Masters in Lean Six Sigma. Alisha is a certified Business Process Engineer and certified Project Manager.
Highly involved in her community, Alisha serves on a number of Boards of Directors and Trustee Boards as well as works tirelessly to represent the citizens of Osceola through various community organizations.
“When a position became available on the Osceola Waterworks Board of Directors, I knew I could use my skill to represent our community and ensure we had safe and fresh water for our residents.” says Kale. “If I can improve one thing within our Water Department it would be to have easier access to phone app payments.” She went on to say, “In the changing world of technology, the utility sector seems to be slightly harder to apply some really slick payment options. We, as a board, are working on making that an easier option for the future.”
Alisha is also active in Order of the Eastern Star, P.E.O, Beta Sigma Phi, Process Excellence Network, Process Excellence in Financial Services, Master Black Belt in Lean Six Sigma, Certified Project Manager, Certified Facilitator in The Oz Principle, Certified Facilitator in Theory of Participation, Instructor for Six Sigma for Mangers, Instructor for White Belt, Yellow Belt, Green Belt and Black Belt process improvement and six sigma learning, and a Dale Carnegie graduate. She is a member of the Osceola Christian Church.
Married to Todd Kale, Alisha is also mom to Ely Crawford, and step mom to Reed, Abby, and Ethan Kale. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, camping, antiquing, travel, volunteering and spending time with her family and friends.
Larry Bishop (Board Vice-Chair – Board Member since 2015)
Having worked in the private sector for more than 50 years, Larry saw the need to get involved to help his community receive clean water at the lowest possible price. Larry is finishing his 8th year with the board and says he is willing to contribute another 6 years. Larry became a part of Osceola Water works Board to help in the infrastructure of Osceola and provide a new Reservoir for growth.
If Larry could improve one thing with the water department it would be “…seeking and obtaining a good working and reliable staff.”
Larry was born in Des Moines, Iowa and grew up in Norwalk, working at Texas Instruments, Honeywell, and Schneider Electric throughout his long career. Larry is married to Ruth, his wife of 54 years, together they have 2 sons and 5 grandsons.
Larry enjoys traveling to see family in Colorado and Wisconsin, reading books, and dining out at new restaurants.
Dr. James Kimball (Board Member since 2017)
Dr. James Kimball grew up in Murray, Iowa, just 10 miles west of Osceola in Clarke County. There, his parents owned an implement store. After High School, Kimball went on to Grinnell Medical School in Iowa City. In 1968, after serving in the Army, Dr. Kimball along with his wife, Mary Ellen and their two sons, moved back to Osceola and have lived there ever since.
Dr. Kimball says, “Osceola is a good community to live in.”
In his spare time, Dr. Kimball enjoys flying and golfing.
Sara O’Hair (Board Member since 2020)
Sara grew up south of Osceola between Weldon and Van Wert, she is a part of a generation farm.
When asked why she decided to become a part of our Osceola Water Works Board Sara replied:
“I love giving back to my community. I was very uneducated with the water process before and I have learned so much since becoming part of our Water Board.” If Sara could improve one thing with the water department it would be, “… working on communicating with the public on projects, {and} being proactive – not reactive – on our infrastructure.”
Sara enjoys traveling and being with her family.
Sandra Ramos (Board Member since 2023)
Originally from Mexico, Sandra moved with her parents and family to Minnesota in early 2000’s. Sandra and her family made their way to Iowa and to Osceola where she entered 4th grade at Clarke Community Schools, ultimately graduating in the class of 2015. After graduation, Sandra pursued her post-secondary education in Business Administration obtaining her Associate degree at SWCC. Sandra has been with American State Bank as a Financial Representative since 2020.
“Osceola has a very large population of Hispanics and I think it will be beneficial to have someone they can depend on to reach out to with questions or concerns,” said Ramos. “Making sure my parents and native Spanish-speakers like them have clear access to information concerning their water services is going to be a big priority.”
For questions or concerns regarding decisions made about our water system, please contact our Water Superintendent, Brandon Patterson at 641-414-9374 or any of the water board members.
The Osceola Water Board would like to invite all members of the public to attend the Water Board meetings held the 1st Thursday of each month at 5:30pm at the Osceola Water Works’ 208 W Jefferson Street location .
Special meeting agendas will be available online or posted in the Water Works office. Please use the North entrance of the building at 208 W Jefferson Street to access our Board Room for meetings.
