The Guthrie County Conservation Board elected a new Chairman and Vice Chairman at its monthly meeting Wednesday night.

George Hemmen, of Guthrie Center, was elected as Chairman, and Mike Laabs, of Jamaica, was elected to be the new Vice Chairman.  Both men had previously been part of the Guthrie County Conservation Board in other capacities.

Former Chairman Scott Benton, of Guthrie Center, and former Vice Chairman Jeff Bump, of Panora, will both remain on the Board.  Gary Thompson, of Stuart, will remain on the Board as well.  Guthrie County Conservation Board members are appointed to five year terms by the county’s Board of Supervisors and serve without compensation.

The Board currently manages 14 areas in Guthrie County, including Nations Bridge Park, the Raccoon River Valley Trail, and the Guthrie County Historical Village.