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

Districts: Ames, Collins-Maxwell, Colo-Nesco, Gilbert, Nevada, Roland-Story, South Hamilton, United
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: Waukee
Non-public schools:

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)

Erin Rush

Erin Lepird

  • Regional Director

Districts: Baxter, Colfax-Mingo, Indianola, Interstate 35, Melcher-Dallas, Newton, PCM, Twin Cedars
Non-public schools: Newton Christian, Strong Roots Christian (Indianola), Victory Christian (Indianola)

Sara Mercer

Sara Mercer

  • Regional Director

Districts: Earlham, Van Meter, West Central Valley, Winterset
Non-public schools:

Chris Pierson

Chris Pierson

  • Regional Director

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

Stacy Volmer

Stacy Volmer

  • Regional Director

Districts: Ballard, Bondurant-Farrar, Boone, Madrid, North Polk, Ogden, Saydel
Non-public schools: Grandview Christian

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, Exira-EHK, Glidden-Ralston, Greene County, Guthrie Center, Panorama, Paton-Churdan, South Central Calhoun
Non-public schools: Kuemper

Dave Wood

Dave Wood

  • Regional Director

Districts: Carlisle, Knoxville, Lynnville-Sully, Martensdale-St. Marys, Norwalk, Pella, Pleasantville, SE Warren
Non-public schools: Main Street School (Norwalk), Norwalk Christian, Pella Christian, Peoria Christian, Sully Christian

Regional Directors