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

Expand Close All
Susie Bentley

Susie Bentley

  • Regional Director

Public Districts: Ames, Collins-Maxwell, Colo-Nesco, Gilbert, Nevada, Roland-Story, South Hamilton, United

Accredited Non-Public Schools: Ames Christian, Nevada Seventh Day Adventist, St. Cecilia

Crista Carlile

Crista Carlile

  • Director of Service for a Fee

Public Districts: Des Moines

Charter Schools: Des Moines Prep Academy, Great Oaks Charter School, Horizon Science Academy, Xceed Oakmoor Academy

Accredited Non-Public Schools: Apiary Leadership Academy, Bergman Academy, Christ the King, Des Moines Adventist, Des Moines Diocese, Dowling High School, Empigo Academy, Joshua Christian Academy, JW Reed Christian Academy, Mt. Olive Lutheran School, One School Global, Two Rivers Classical Academy (Grades 6-12)


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

Public Districts: Adel-Desoto-Minburn, Dallas Center-Grimes, Greene County, Perry, Woodward-Granger

Accredited Non-Public Schools: Acorns & Oaks Christian, Bridges Outdoors School, St. Patrick Catholic Church

Martha Condon

Martha Condon

  • Regional Director

Public Districts: Waukee

Accredited Non-Public Schools: St. Francis of Assisi

Rachelle Dawson

Rachelle Dawson

  • Regional Director

Public Districts: Johnston, Urbandale

Accredited Non-Public Schools: Des Moines Christian, Gospel Assembly Christian, St. Pius X, Xceed Oakmoor Academy

Erin Rush

Erin Lepird

  • Regional Director

Public Districts: Baxter, Colfax-Mingo, Indianola, Interstate 35, Melcher-Dallas, Newton, PCM, Twin Cedars

Accredited Non-Public Schools: Strong Roots Christian, Victory Christian

Sara Mercer

Sara Mercer

  • Regional Director & Student Services

Public Districts: Earlham, Van Meter, West Central Valley, Winterset

Accredited Non-Public Schools: Winterset Christian Academy

Chris Pierson

Chris Pierson

  • Regional Director

Public Districts: Ankeny, SE Polk

Accredited Accredited Non-Public Schools: Ankeny Christian, St. Luke the Evangelist, The Conservatory of Worship Arts

Stacy Volmer

Stacy Volmer

  • Regional Director

Public Districts: Ballard, Bondurant-Farrar, Boone, Madrid, Ogden, North Polk, Saydel

Accredited Non-Public Schools: Grand View Christian Elementary School, Sacred Heart, Trinity Lutheran

Tinna Walberg

Tinna Walberg

  • Regional Director

Public Districts: West Des Moines

Accredited Non-Public Schools: AlRazi Academy, Dowling, Sacred Heart, Two Rivers Classical Academy (Grades K-5)

Joy Wiebers

Joy Wiebers

  • Regional Director

Public Districts: Adair-Casey, Audubon, Carroll, Coon Rapids-Bayard, Exira-EHK, Glidden-Ralston, Guthrie Center, Panorama, Paton-Churdan, South Central Calhoun

Accredited Non-Public Schools: Kuemper Catholic

Dave Wood

Dave Wood

  • Regional Director

Public Districts: Carlisle, Knoxville, Lynnville-Sully, Martensdale-St. Marys, Norwalk, Pella, Pleasantville, SE Warren

Accredited Non-Public Schools: Cornerstone Christian School, Main Street School, Pella Christian, Peoria Christian, Sully Christian