Our Board Of Supervisors
Chairperson - Brian Johnson
Brian resides in Iroquois Township with his wife, Richelle, and daughter, Amelia. He graduated from Purdue University with a BS in Agriculture. He has lived and farmed his whole life in Newton County and has been on the SWCD board since 2009. Brian is also actively involved in other conservation organizations like Pheasants Forever, Ducks Unlimited, and the National Rifle Association.
Vice Chairperson - Mike Schoonveld
Mike resides in Colfax Township with his wife, Peg, and dog, Molly. After attending Purdue University, Mike worked for the Department of Natural Resources and the Willow Slough Fish and Wildlife Area. He now operates a charter fishing business and is an avid outdoorsman and outdoor writer for the local newspaper and several sportsman magazines. Mike has been a SWCD board member since 2010.
Assistant Treasurer - Jeff West
Jeff resides in Beaver Township with his family. He graduated from Purdue University with a BS in Ag System Management in 1997. Jeff is the Assistant Farm Manager at Cote Farms since 1996 and has been on the Newton SWCD Board since 2018. Jeff enjoys dining on tacos. His life statement is: “it is all self-inflicted”.
Supervisor - Ron DeYoung
Ron and his wife Julie reside in Washington Township. He is a teacher in the Agriculture Department at North Newton High School while Julie teaches kindergarten at Rensselaer. Ron graduated from North Newton High School and Purdue University and has been on the Newton SWCD Board since 2020. He enjoys fishing, hunting, and landscaping. Fun fact: Ron is a twin! His brother’s name is Randy.
Supervisor - Janet Schoon
Janet resides in Lincoln Township where she has been farming for the past 25+ years, converting to completely no-till several years ago. She was also previously a Paramedic for Newton County for 12 years. Janet enjoys running a chain saw, going on annual construction work trips to Central America and playing in her flower beds. She has been on the SWCD Board since 2020.