Regional Directors

Heartland AEA’s regional directors serve as administrative partners to local districts/schools within a defined geographical area. They work closely with districts/schools to understand their needs through a comprehensive planning process. Regional directors help align, deploy and ensure the delivery of quality agency services and supervise and evaluate AEA staff working directly with local districts/schools.

Important Contacts

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Susie Bentley

Susie Bentley

  • Regional Director

Districts: Ames, Ballard, Colo-NESCO, Collins-Maxwell, Gilbert, Nevada, Roland-Story
Non-public schools: Ames Christian, St. Cecilia

Crista Carlile

Crista Carlile

  • Regional Director

Districts: Des Moines
Non-public schools: Bergman Academy, Diocese of Des Moines, Empigo Academy, Joshua Christian, Mt. Olive Lutheran, OneSchool Global, JW Reed Christian
Charter schools: Great Oaks Charter School, Horizon Science Academy

Education: Bachelor’s degree, biology; Master’s degree, secondary education; Ed.D., educational leadership

Experience: High school science teacher, Science curriculum coordinator, High school administrator, Director of teaching & learning; Regional director Joined Heartland AEA in 2022

Expertise: Systems improvement; quality/continuous improvement; leadership development; strategic planning and implementation; leadership coaching

How I’ve made an impact: I have worked closely with a district to implement a school improvement process that aligns evidence-based practices in improvement science with federal and state requirements for ESSA and Title I.

Misty Christensen

Misty Christensen

  • Regional Director

Districts: Adel-DeSoto-Minburn, Dallas Center-Grimes, Perry, Woodward-Granger
Non-public schools: St. Patrick’s

Martha Condon

Martha Condon

  • Regional Director

Districts: Indianola, Norwalk
Non-public schools: Main Street School (Norwalk), Norwalk Christian, Strong Roots Christian (Indianola), Victory Christian (Indianola)

Rachelle Dawson

Rachelle Dawson

  • Regional Director

Districts: Johnston, Urbandale
Non-public schools: Des Moines Christian (Urbandale), Gospel Assembly Christian (Urbandale), St. Pius X (Urbandale), Xceed Oakmoor Academy (Johnston)

Martin Ikeda

Marty Ikeda

  • Regional Director

Districts: Van Meter, Waukee
Non-public schools: St. Francis of Assisi

Erin Rush

Erin Lepird

  • Regional Director

Districts: Ankeny
Non-public schools: Ankeny Christian Academy, St. Luke the Evangelist

Sara Mercer

Sara Mercer

  • Regional Director

Districts: Boone, Madrid, Ogden, United
Non-public schools: Sacred Heart, Trinity Lutheran

Chris Pierson

Chris Pierson

  • Regional Director

Districts: Baxter, Colfax-Mingo, Lynnville-Sully, Newton, PCM
Non-public schools: Newton Christian, Sully Christian

Stacy Volmer

Stacy Volmer

  • Regional Director

Districts: Bondurant-Farrar, North Polk, S.E. Polk

Tinna Walberg

Tinna Walberg

  • Regional Director

Districts: Saydel, West Des Moines
Non-public schools: AlRazi Academy (West Des Moines), Grand View Christian (Saydel), Dowling (West Des Moines), Sacred Heart (West Des Moines)

Joy Wiebers

Joy Wiebers

  • Regional Director

Districts: Adair-Casey, Audubon, Carroll, Coon Rapids-Bayard, Earlham, Exira-EHK, Glidden-Ralston, Guthrie Center, Panorama, West Central Valley, Winterset
Non-public schools: Kuemper

Dave Wood

Dave Wood

  • Regional Director

Districts: Carlisle, Interstate 35, Knoxville, Martensdale-St. Marys, Melcher-Dallas, Pella, Pleasantville, S.E. Warren, Twin Cedars
Non-public schools: Pella Christian, Peoria Christian

Regional Directors