A team you can trust to go the extra mile.
What do we mean when we say we’re more than a lab? That the numbers are just the beginning for us. That our team of passionate experts is just as invested in your business’ success as you are. That we deliver science, solutions and service that always exceed expectations.
What sets our team apart.
The analysis of every sample and the data it gleans means something to us. We love helping our clients understand the opportunities in their data and informing decisions for their business with science-backed solutions. Our team has been on the other side of the sample so we know your business like no other contract lab can.
The woman who started it all.
Diane hails from Larrabee, Iowa. She earned degrees in both Agricultural Microbiology and Animal Science, with a minor in Chemistry, from Iowa State University and remains a proud Cyclone. Armed with plenty of experience in quality assurance in the food production industry and a revolutionary idea to combine science and service, Diane started Foundation Analytical Laboratory in 2009. Her favorite thing about FAL is its ability to serve as a platform to help change people’s lives every day. When she isn’t in the lab, she enjoys training and breeding Quarter horses with her husband. Diane is also a Maxwell Leadership Certified Team Member.
A team of leaders in and out of the lab.
ABBI OGREN
Client Coordinator
Abbi was born and raised in Castana, Iowa, and is one of eight children. She enjoys riding her horse, taking care of livestock, enjoying the great outdoors, and foraging for wild asparagus and Morel mushrooms. Abbi joined the FAL team in 2012. What does she love most? The sense of family between team members and building relationships with lab clients.
BRITTANY ERICKSON
Quality Manager
Brittany grew up in Royal, Iowa, with her three siblings. All with B names. She and her husband have continued the tradition, raising their four children with the same first letter of their names. Brittany earned her degree in Biology Health Professions from Northwestern College and started her FAL journey as an intern back in 2010. Brittany's colleagues are her favorite part of the lab, and, when she isn’t working, you’ll likely find her knitting or crocheting.
DEREK SIMONSEN
Principal Scientist
Derek comes from Quimby, Iowa, and joined the FAL team in 2021 after completing his Ph.D. in Human Toxicology from the University of Iowa. One of the things he loves most about FAL is that the lab is always progressing and helping clients solve problems. Before earning his Ph.D., Derek graduated from Buena Vista University with a Biology degree. In his free time Derek enjoys travel and target shooting. He even participates in competitive shooting.
JACI SEABLOM
Senior Analyst
Jaci grew up in Marcus, Iowa, and earned her degree in Animal Science from South Dakota State University. She joined our team in 2010 and enjoys all the activity happening within the lab from analyzing client samples to scheduling test methods. Jaci loves to be outdoors, especially riding and taking care of her two horses.
JJ NITZ
Marketing Project Manager
JJ grew up in Cherokee, Iowa. He earned his degree in Secondary Science Education from Moningside College, going on to attain a Master of Science in Education from the University of Nebraska Kearney. JJ joined our team in 2018. His favorite part of working with the lab is helping people solve problems with out-of-the-box thinking. JJ loves spending time with his family, especially teaching his children about one of his favorite hobbies — woodworking.
KRISTEN WEILAND
Procurement and Insight Coordinator
Kristen comes from Cherokee, Iowa. She loves spending time outdoors gardening and golfing. Kristen earned her associate degree from Iowa Central Community College and joined the FAL team in 2017. She says she enjoys the family-orientated atmosphere in the lab most about her job. And, fun fact, she once swam in Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's pool!
MOLLY LUNDSGAARD
Laboratory Administrator
Molly grew up near Marcus, Iowa, and now lives in rural Cherokee County. She earned her degree in Ag Business from South Dakota State University and joined the FAL team in 2010 first as an intern and now as Laboratory Administrator. Molly really enjoys building relationships with clients and appreciates the culture within the FAL lab. And when she isn’t in the lab, you can find Molly with her family or on the golf course.
NATE YOUNG
Operations Manager
Nate was born and raised in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. Growing up he participated in rodeo and was a professional bareback rider for 15 years. Nate loves the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing, so it came as no surprise he earned a degree in Fisheries and Wildlife Biology from Iowa State University. Nate joined our team in 2016, and his favorite thing about the lab is the people he gets to work with every day.
RYAN TURNQUIST
Senior Analyst
Ryan hails from Schaller, Iowa, and earned his degree in Environmental Science and Biology from Buena Vista University. Ryan joined the FAL team in 2011 and enjoys finding creative solutions to challenging problems in the lab. Beyond the lab walls Ryan enjoys deer hunting. And he has the hardware to prove it. In 2023, Ryan became a Top 50 placeholder in the B&C Typical Whitetail category in the state of Iowa. His teammates are particularly partial, however, to his other passion: home brewing. They’ve been known to get together for special tastings.
Spur your business forward. Give us a call today.
Science and service drive everything we do. Give us a call or submit the form to speak to a Foundation Analytical Laboratory team member about working together.
712.225.6989
