Greater Ottumwa Partners in Progress (GOPIP) is pleased to announce the addition of two new members to its Board of Directors: Brett Schlomann of John Deere Ottumwa Works and Dr. Maria Lantz of the Ottumwa Community School District.
“We are excited to welcome Brett and Maria to the board,” said Marc Roe, Executive Director of Greater Ottumwa Partners in Progress. “Both bring strong leadership experience and a deep commitment to the success of our community. Their insight will help strengthen our work in economic development, workforce development, and quality of life initiatives in the Ottumwa area.”
Brett Schlomann serves as Factory Manager for John Deere Ottumwa Works, where he oversees operational execution across key manufacturing priorities including safety, quality, cost, and delivery, while emphasizing employee engagement and continuous improvement. Schlomann began his career with John Deere in 2006 as a part-time student in Waterloo and has since held a variety of roles spanning manufacturing engineering, production supervision, project management, business unit leadership, and factory planning. Most recently, he worked in Production Systems developing strategies for Production and Precision Ag and leading special projects. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business and Technology Management and a Master of Science in Industrial Management from the University of Northern Iowa.
Dr. Maria Lantz serves as Director of Curriculum and Instruction for the Ottumwa Community School District, where she leads districtwide initiatives focused on instructional quality, leadership development, and student achievement from early childhood through graduation. She earned her doctorate from Drake University and is a recognized educational leader who has served as a consultant, keynote speaker, and conference presenter. Her work focuses on strengthening educational systems, expanding opportunities for students, and building meaningful partnerships between schools and the community to support student success.
Greater Ottumwa Partners in Progress looks forward to the leadership and perspective both Schlomann and Dr. Lantz will bring as the organization continues its work to support economic development, strengthen local businesses, and enhance quality of life throughout the region.
