Joleen Jansen – Elkader – Secretary (Serving since 2016)

Joleen lives south of Elkader near the historic Motor Mill with her husband, Jim. Together, they are proud parents of three grown children. Joleen serves as the Senior Network Coach for the Clean Energy Districts of Iowa and owns and operates Jansen Products, a local web development business.

A proud Dubuque native and Coe College graduate, Joleen began her professional journey as a clinical medical technologist at St Luke’s Hospital in Davenport. She later worked as an environmental sanitarian for the City of Dubuque and Winneshiek County and was the county’s zoning administrator.

In 2014, inspired by a solar workshop hosted by the Winneshiek Energy District, Joleen and Jim decided to “go solar.” This experience introduced her to the energy district concept, sparking a vision to bring it to Clayton County. After months of research and collaboration, she and a group of local clean energy advocates established the Clayton County Energy District, the second energy district ever!

From 2016 to 2024, Joleen served as the program director for the Clayton County Energy District, helping expand the local “green meets green” movement, across Iowa and the region. Today, she continues to champion clean energy, leading by example. The Jansens power their acreage with solar energy, drive an all-electric Chevy Equinox and use an electric heat pump to heat and cool their home and water.