MAYOR & COUNCIL
PROFILES
Craig Berry, Mayor
Mayor since 2008
Council Member from 1985 until 2004
Craig Berry, a graduate of the Jefferson School System and Central College, has lived all of his Life in Jefferson and works for the Iowa DOT. He is divorced and has two children.
A message from Craig:
Jefferson is a Community that exemplifies the meaning of Midwest living. We are a progressive community of citizens who show a genuine concern about Life and the values of it for our present and future generations.
We are Jefferson!!
Email: dreg123@hotmail.com
Larry Teeples
Council Member since 1995
First Ward Seat
Larry Teeples, also a graduate of Jefferson-Scranton High School, is plant manager at Jefferson Telephone Company. Larry is married and has three sons. He is an active member of the Jefferson Kiwanis Club and Community Betterment.
A message from Larry:
My first term on the council was a two-year appointment. I then ran for the first ward seat. I felt this is one way to give something back to the community. Jefferson is a great place to live. Hopefully we can make it even better if we all work together.
William J. Figenshaw
Council Member since 1998
Third Ward Seat
William Figenshaw has been a member of the community of Jefferson his entire life. He is married with two children and owns Figensaw Furniture, a retail furniture and floor-covering store.
A message from William J. Figenshaw:
I have been involved in all areas of Jefferson for over forty years and I ran for city council as my way of giving back something to Jefferson. I wanted to provide something positive for the growth and development of the next generation of Jefferson residents.
Shannon Black
Council Member since 2008
At-large seat
Shannon Black was born and raised in Greene County and is a graduate of Jefferson-Scranton High School. After leaving the community for six years to attend college and work, Shannon returned so her family could call Jefferson their hometown. She works at Eye Care Associates, P.C. and lives in town with her husband, Chad, and their two children. Shannon keeps busy with City Council and her appointments to many committees such as Park & Rec., Cemetery, Sports Complex, and Community Betterment. She is also an active member of Kiwanis, the Bell Tower Festival Steering Committee, the United Methodist Church, and a local sorority.
A message from Shannon:
Jefferson has always held a special place in my heart, it’s my hometown. I want my children to enjoy life here and have the opportunity to be involved in 4-H, dance, soccer, music … anything! I believe that we must continue to grow this community. Making Jefferson a city that will attract new businesses will keep jobs and families here for generations to come and keep our schools strong. It is my job, to do my part in making this a community that families want to move to and become active in. I want everyone to take pride in their hometown and get involved! I hope to set an example for my children to work hard, and give back to their community. I want them to be able to return to a prospering Jefferson after college to raise their families.
Gary VonAhsen
Council Member since 2010
At-large Seat
Gary grew up in Williamsburg, Iowa and graduated from high school there. He attended the University of Iowa and graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Gary and his wife Judy moved to Jefferson in 1972 and Gary worked in Construction Engineering at Tri-County Lumber from 1973 until his retirement in 2009. From 1985 until his retirement he also served as president of Tri-County. He recently re-activated his real estate license and is assisting his wife Judy at Peckumn Real Estate. Gary and Judy have four daughters that were all born and educated in Jefferson. Gary has served on several boards including GCDC, Community Betterment and Library. He is an active member of the Jefferson Rotary Club, Board member of Habitat for Humanity, Greene County housing committee and his church Abundant Life Ministries.
I believe Jefferson is already a great community with even greater potential. I am eager to use the experience I gained during my 36 years in local business to help Jefferson achieve that potential. As a new councilman, it is my intent to help our city government utilize whatever tools are available, to first and foremost, make fiscally sound decisions to help our local businesses prosper/expand, while also seeking to attract new companies to Jefferson and Greene County.
Lisa Jaskey
Council Member since 2012
Second Ward Seat
Lisa Jaskey has lived in Council Bluffs, IA just about her whole life. She graduated from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Business Administration – Accounting degree, and has been a CPA for thirty years licensed in Iowa and Nebraska. Lisa is the owner of a local CPA firm. Lisa and her husband, Dr. David Jaskey, OB-Gyn, relocated to Jefferson from Chicago Land in 2010. She has a step-daughter attending college in River Forest, IL.
Lisa serves on the boards of Kiwanis, Rotary, Greene County Development Corporation, Library Board of Trustees, and P.A.W.S., and is a member of the Greene County Chamber & Development and Greene County Ambassadors. She also participates in many other clubs, groups and steering committees in the community.
A message from Lisa:
Serving on the City Council is something I always wanted to accomplish. It gives me the opportunity each day to share with everyone – tourists, visitors and even long-time residents – all the fantastic things Jefferson has to offer such as great schools, a wonderful medical center, lots of unique tourist attractions, a fantastic economic development climate, and most of all, the greatest people in the world! Come see for yourself all that Jefferson has to offer!
