CARD: Center for Agricultural and Rural Development

Long-time CARD employee Karleen Gillen has been with the center since 1985. She is secretary to CARD Director Bruce Babock, as well as to Dr. Cathy Kling, head of the Resource and Environmental Policy Division; Dr. David Hennessy; and Dr. Helen Jensen, head of the Food and Nutrition Policy Division. Before joining CARD, Karleen attended Hamilton Business College, and worked for a construction firm, a city manager’s office, the director of the Iowa Department of Transportation, and a farm real estate office. Karleen likes to keep up with technology on the job. She enjoys learning new programs and applying them to her challenges at the office.

Karleen and her husband, Rich, have four daughters and one granddaughter and one grandson. Her leisure-time pursuits include reading, skiing, motorcycle riding, and boating.