2011 RAGBRAI Team Roster

John Hall, Chair and Rider


			I am John Hall and I currently live in Iowa City and work as a GIS Technician in the Geospacial Program at the University of Iowa Office of the State Archaeologist (OSA); however, occasionally I am able to escape from the office to do some fieldwork too. I am chair of the 2011 "Team Archaeology" RAGBRAI committee and one of the riders for the event. When not at work, I like to spend as much time as I can with my two sons, Sully and Finn; and if time permits, I enjoy running and cycling in various races throughout the Midwest. I also enjoy sitting down after a long bike ride with a good pie... or two, or three. Back To The Top


Dan Higginbottom, Rider
			My name is Dan Higginbottom and for the past 12 years I have been a staff Archaeologist at the Iowa State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) at the State Historical Society in Des Moines. Special areas of interest include historical archaeology, the European Iron Age, industrial archaeology, cemetery studies, urban development, preservation law, and lithic technology. Other hobbies include Taikwando (2nd degree black belt 2009), genealogy, book collecting, coaching junior recreation league baseball, building model airplanes out of basal wood and tissue paper, and doing just about anything with my wife and son. 2011 marks my 13th year of serious cycling and my 4th RAGBRAI tour. I look forward to doing two of the things that I love best, cycling with friends and promoting Iowa archaeology. Back To The Top


Kevin "Dogg" Verhulst, Support Crew and Knapper
			My name is Kevin Verhulst. I am from Ottumwa, Iowa. I have worked for the OSA for the last 4 years. I have ridden RAGBRAI four times now, in 2000, 2001, 2008 and 2009. My favorite hobbies are camping, hunting, fishing, and flintknapping. Back To The Top


Alan Hawkins, Rider
			Hello, I am Alan Hawkins and a Project Archaeologist with the University of Iowa Office of the State Archaeologist, Highway Archaeology Program. I have been active in Midwest and Plains archaeology and cultural resource management since 1989. This experience has taken me throughout Arkansas, Illinois, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin. My research interests include historic ceramics and glassware, and settlement pattern analysis. I have also served as the Iowa Archeological Society Membership Secretary since 2005 and Treasurer since 2007. I also enjoy outdoor activities such as camping and fishing with my son and daughter. Back To The Top


Mark Anderson, Support
			My name is Mark L. Anderson and I am a Project Archaeologist with the University of Iowa Office of the State Archaeologist, Highway Archaeology Program. I have been active in Midwest and Plains archaeology and cultural resource management since 1986. I began my academic career at the University of Oregon getting familiar with northwest coast archaeology, geology, and eastern religions and completed my undergrad and graduate studies in archaeology, geology, geography, and religious studies at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. I have worked or had some kind of archaeological experience in Oregon, South Dakota, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota and Iowa, as well as two seasons excavating Archaic period sites in Ontario, Canada. My research interests include the prehistory of the Midwest and northern Plains, the Archaic period of the upper Great Lakes, lithic studies, ancient technologies, flintknapping, GPS/GIS, aerial photographic remote sensing, and recently new forays into the use of the Scanning Electronic Microscope. Back To The Top

Lynn M. Alex, Education and Outreach Program Director
			Hello, my name is Lynn M. Alex. I have been Director of Education and Outreach at the University of Iowa Office of the State Archaeologist since 1999 where I’ve published two books, Exploring Iowa’s Past and Iowa’s Archaeological Past (both University of Iowa Press). My research interests include the late prehistoric and Contact periods on the Plains and Prairies, the northern European Neolithic and Iron Ages, and fish bones from archaeological sites. My favorite activities are hiking especially as part of busman’s holidays along Hadrian’s Wall, the western coast of Ireland, and the northern Scottish islands; writing; genealogy; and reading—particularly mysteries. I look forward to meeting folks at OSA’s EXPO exhibit and stops along the RAGBRAI route to share some of the amazing archaeological discoveries Iowa has to offer. Back To The Top

John Doershuk, State Archaeologist

John Doershuk

Hello, I’m John Doershuk. I’ve been State Archaeologist of Iowa for four years and with the OSA since 1995. I’ve had the good fortune to be involved with many fascinating archaeological projects around the state, and I’m eager to once again join Team Archaeology as we hit the road with RAGBRAI. Look for me and my colleagues at our EXPO booth in Glenwood and then again along the RAGBRAI route as we’re planning several venues where we hope to connect with folks about Iowa’s rich archaeological past. When I’m not involved with archaeological work I enjoy spending time with my wife, younger son, and daughter (when she visits from her busy UI life) on our six acres outside Iowa City where we cut and split firewood, raise chickens and geese, and keep our fleet of “lawnmowers” (two sheep and two goats) busy keeping the pastures trimmed.

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Angela Collins, Graphic Designer
			My name is Angela R. Collins and I am a Project Archaeologist with the University of Iowa Office of the State Archaeologist as well as Team Archaeology Graphic Designer. I graduated from Colorado State University in 2000 with a B.A. and received a M.A. from the University of Iowa in 2006. I have worked with the OSA since 2001 as a field and lab technician and office illustrator. Since becoming a Project Archaeologist in the General Contracts Program in 2006, I have led survey and excavation projects in Missouri and Iowa. Occasionally, I have opportunities to apply my graphic and artistic skills to archaeological outreach endeavors. Hobbies include illustration, graphic design, casual bicycling, and any fun activity that includes my husband and daughter. Back To The Top

Mary De La Garza, Systems Administrator
			Mary De La Garza is the Systems Administrator and web master at the Office of the State Archaeologist. She has revolutionized the technical side of the OSA, masterminding the transition to a new server and maintaining the current network. Mary is the team scout and takes her camera as she rides this year's bike route... in her car. In her spare time, she plays fetch with her dogs and frolics with her cat through the daisies. Back To The Top


Rob Flagg, Web Designer
			Hello my name is Rob Flagg and I am a Web Developer and IT Assistant for the University of Iowa Office of the State Archaeologist. I am a currently a student at Kirkwood pursuing B.A. in Finance. Born and raised in sunny Los Angeles, California, I moved to Kalona, Iowa at the humble age of 18 and have been enduring the winters and enjoying spring ever since. Although I am studying Finance and work in ITS, I spend a lot of my time in a recording studio as a recording engineer and have a strong passion for the culinary arts. Back To The Top