About Us

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Deborah Williamson is a long-time civic leader and community advocate whose work has helped shape Fairfield’s cultural, environmental, and economic vitality for more than four decades. A resident of Fairfield for over 40 years, Deborah brings a steady, service-oriented leadership style grounded in collaboration, practical action, and long-term vision.

As a local business owner, Deborah operated 24 Carrots and Small Planet Restaurant, creating welcoming spaces that supported local food systems, employment, and community connection. Her leadership extended beyond business into civic life, where she played a key role in supporting the establishment of Fairfield’s Cultural District and served with the Sierra Club, advancing environmental stewardship and public awareness.

Deborah’s approach to leadership emphasizes listening, building consensus, and turning ideas into tangible results. She joined the Fairfield Beautification Commission to unite her passion for service with her love of gardening, helping guide efforts that enhance public spaces, foster civic pride, and strengthen community well-being.

Known for her integrity, commitment, and ability to bring people together, Deborah leads by example—balancing vision with hands-on involvement. Outside her professional and civic roles, she enjoys time with family and friends, gardening, kayaking, and cycling, activities that reflect her belief in balance, sustainability, and an active, engaged life.

Eben White moved from Belfast, Maine to Fairfield, Iowa at the age of 17, graduating from MUM (MIU) in 2008. He has been a Fairfield resident for over 18 years since 2002 spending time in both Iowa and Maine, and is a Fairfield Beautification Commissioner since 2024. He is active with all cleanup efforts including streets, sidewalks, and tree and hedge trimming, and has spent time working for The Raj and currently Cambridge Investment Research. Eben's love for arborism, landscaping, and cleanup stems from living in the woods and wilds of Maine tending to fields, woodlands, and wetlands for more than three decades. When Eben isn't working, you'll find him learning all kinds of DIY projects on Youtube or walking the Fairfield Trails; he is also an avid juggler, reader, writer, photographer, and plays tennis, table tennis, pickleball, and any other racquet sport when he's not playing a video game, or laughing with friends.                 

Mercedes Mancilla joined the Fairfield Beautification Commission in 2023 with the aim of deepening her knowledge of gardening and plants. Mercedes loved the commission’s purpose and the sense of community fostered among fellow commission members. Born and raised in Bloomfield, Iowa, Mercedes earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in graphic design from the University of Northern Iowa. She currently works at Cambridge Investment Research as a Senior Multimedia Designer. In her free time, you’ll see Mercedes and her husband, Todd walking around their neighborhood with their two Siberian Huskies, Freya and Maeve. If she’s not walking her dogs, you’ll find her reading books (fantasy being her favorite genre) or playing puzzle games on her Nintendo Switch. She enjoys spending

time with her friends and family when she’s not being a hermit at home. Hobbies include reading, gaming, taking walks, eating ice cream, rollerblading with the girls, traveling,

going to concerts, swimming, and watching her favorite TV series Gravity Falls.                                                                                

Emily Skopin is a proud 35-year resident of Fairfield. She came to Fairfield to study art at MIU and stayed for the charming small town lifestyle. She continues to create art and has recently discovered the magic of watercolor. Home design and love of color have kept her inspired and she has enjoyed helping friends and family with their own projects as well.

Emily received a Rose Award from the Fairfield Beautification Commission in the early 2000s for the excellent redesign of her front yard and porch. A flagstone pathway and lovely flower garden are evidence of Emily's talent. Her artistic skill-set and love of community led her to join the Fairfield Beautification Commission.                          

Meg Doxtator is a recent addition to the Fairfield community, having spent over 30 years

residing in Portland, Oregon. Drawn by the quality of life and the small-town,

community-oriented values that Fairfield offers; Meg has embraced her new home with

enthusiasm.

Professionally, Meg is a Nationally rated Gymnastics Official, judging competitions

across the country. She previously managed and coached a highly regarded age group

program at the Multnomah Athletic Club in Portland and also served as the USA

Gymnastics Oregon State Chairman and USA Gymnastics Region 2 Chairman for many

years.

Family is important to Meg, and she enjoys visiting her two adult children in Portland

whenever she gets the chance. In Fairfield, she has found joy in various outdoor

activities. She loves biking, kayaking, and playing pickleball, all of which allow her to

appreciate the natural beauty of her new surroundings. Additionally, Meg has taken an

interest in learning the intricacies of Mahjong, expanding her hobbies and social

connections.

Meg is also passionate about gardening but moving into a condo with no yard, she was

looking for a way to keep getting her hands dirty, whether it’s planting, pruning, or

general clean-up. As a new resident, Meg is eager to work with the commission to

make a positive impact on the Fairfield community and to help contribute to a beautiful

Fairfield.        

Raymond has been a resident of Fairfield, Iowa, for more than 22 years. Before moving to

Fairfield, he owned and operated a landscape company in New Hampshire for nearly two

decades, where he also gained experience in custom home building and design.

With a lifelong passion for creating beautiful and functional outdoor spaces, Raymond

brings a broad skill set and hands-on approach to the Beautification Commission. He

originally served on the commission shortly after moving to Fairfield and recently rejoined

to continue contributing to projects that enhance the town’s natural charm and community

spirit.

In addition to his work with the Beautification Commission, Raymond is active in the field of

legacy and financial planning, helping families build, protect, and pass on their wealth with

purpose.

In his free time, Raymond enjoys biking, hiking, travel, and reading.

Micah Jones is an artist, musician, and writer who has called Fairfield home, on and off, since 2015. A student at Maharishi International University with a focus on video editing and multimedia storytelling, she finds joy in blending creativity with community care. Alongside her studies, Micah makes herbal lotions and teas, writes imaginative stories, and performs music at local open mics. Her ten-year-old daughter is the brightest light in her world and her greatest inspiration. Micah considers it an incredible honor to help care for the community she loves through the Fairfield Beautification Committee.

Rachael Maguire is a seasoned leader and skilled project and event manager whose career spans military service, nearly 15 years in higher education administration, and nonprofit and community engagement work. A U.S. Army veteran who served in Operation Enduring Freedom, Rachael deployed to Afghanistan in 2002 — an experience that ignited a lifelong commitment to serving those who serve.

She has honored that commitment in many ways: as an Honorary Life Member of the Fleet Reserve Association, where she led fundraising campaigns and served on the Board of Governors; as Secretary of the Board for veteran-founded Tikkun Pastoral Foundation; as founder of two college campus student-veteran organizations; and as a returning guest speaker for Veterans Administration and Federal Bar Association sponsored seminars designed to strengthen community and veteran engagement.

Her operational expertise is equally impressive. As Campus Operations Manager at the University of Phoenix, she produced commencement ceremonies welcoming 5,000+ guests annually and led cross-functional teams through high-impact, complex projects spanning multiple locations — the hallmark of a true servant leader.

Now a full-time graduate student pursuing a Master of Science in Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine at Maharishi International University, and a Cornell-certified Plant-Based Nutrition practitioner, Rachael is passionate about helping others live healthier, more vibrant lives. Her love of gardening makes the mission of the Beautification Commission a natural fit.

A recent transplant from Jacksonville Beach, Florida, Rachael is thrilled to put down roots in Fairfield with her husband, Jason, and their two English bulldogs.

The Fairfield Beautification Commission is now seeking members. The qualities that would match with our goals include someone who is proactive, a team player, loves nature, takes pride in our city, and appreciates a harmonious environment. Commissioners are appointed by our mayor and approved by our City Council. 

You can seek to become a member of the Fairfield Beautification Commission by filling out this application form and submitting it to this commission via the volunteer section on our website homepage.