CHARACTER COUNTS! IN IOWA - staff

J. Scott Raecker, Executive Director, 515-271-1911

Scott Raecker is a dedicated Iowan whose current professional position as Executive Director with CC! In Iowa provides the opportunity for him to positively impact the lives of Iowans.

Scott's commitment to community is extended with the honor and privilege to serve the public interest with his role as a member of the Iowa House of Representatives. First elected in 1998, Scott is in his fifth term serving House District 63 - the community of Urbandale.

In addition to his professional role, Scott is a member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, the Des Moines A.M. Rotary Club and Urbandale Chambers of Commerce. Scott is involved in numerous civic volunteer efforts serving as a board member of the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation and a founding board member for the Advocacy Network for Aging Iowans.

Wendy Havemann, Youth Involvement Director, 515-271-1909

Wendy has worked with youth her entire life. Her passion in life is helping youth discover and develop skills that will enable them to achieve their full potential. She has a degree in Human Services from Drake University is currently pursuing her Masters in Community Counseling at Drake. Wendy co-authored a book with her father and sister titled, "Tough-Minded Parenting".

Wendy lives in Des Moines with her husband, Mark, and children Erin & Steven.

Eric Martin, Outreach Director, 515-271-1995

Eric joined the team in November of 2005.  His professional background is rooted in youth development, prevention and adventure education.  He has worked with youth and adults in a variety of settings focusing on skill development in the areas of team building, creative problem solving and communication skills.

Eric is a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa (B.A. Recreation Therapy) and earned his Elementary Education Certificate from the University of Iowa.  He lives in Urbandale with his wife, Susan and sons Cade, Owen & Carter.

Cheri McDaniel, Administrative Assistant, 515-271-2931

Cheri McDaniel joined the ICD team as Administrative Assistant in December of 2005. Cheri comes to the Institute for Character Development office by way of the Woodward-Granger Community School District. Cheri worked with W-G for the past 10 years in various different positions.

Cheri lives in Urbandale with her husband, Howard, and they have 2 children, Gregory and Bethany and two Basset Hounds. Cheri enjoys reading, baking and cooking.

Kitty Olsen, Development Director, 515-246-1649

Kitty Olsen has served as Director of Development for The Institute for Character Development since its inception in 1997.  For the past 13 years, she has chaired the Central Iowa Chapter of the National Council on Youth Leadership, a recognition and leadership program for outstanding high school seniors.  Kitty is also actively involved as a national NCYL board member.  She was a board member of Variety Club of Iowa for nearly twenty years, an organization that raises millions of dollars annually for children's charities. 

Kitty is a life-long Iowa resident and a graduate of Drake University, with a B.A. in Psychology.  Kitty and her husband, Terry, live in West Des Moines.  They have two sons -- Tim and his wife Sara live in Omaha and Eric and his wife, Cara, reside in Iowa City.

Ron Scott, Education Director, 515-271-2193

Ron Scott is a veteran high school teacher, coach and counselor. 

Ron taught and coached in Mount Ayr, IA for 37 years. He was a physical education teacher and biology teacher before he became the guidance counselor for grades 7-12 in 1984.  During that time, he served as  the district's wrestling coach for 31 years, football for 12 years and baseball for 5 years.

Ron received his B. S. in Education and M.S. in Secondary Education at Northwest Missouri State University after completing his high school education in Oklahoma.  He and his wife, Dana, have three grown sons and nine grandchildren.

Amy Smit, Communications & Events Director, 515-271-2293

An Iowa native, Amy moved back to Iowa in 2004 after living throughout the United States while her husband served as a meteorologist in the US Air Force.

Amy earned a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Minnesota. Amy gained professional experience in both the political and non-profit fields before joining the ICD team in January, 2004. She lives in Urbandale with her husband, Chad and their children Noah and Avery.

Mark Wills, Program Coordinator, 515-271-1908

Mark came to the ICD in December 2007 after having spent twelve years working with both at-risk and delinquent youth. During that time, Mark was involved with the implementation of CHARACTER COUNTS! in various schools sites, community coalitions as well as in athletics. Mark has experience with high school and college athletes as a coach, as a camp clinician/counselor and in academic support settings.

A graduate of Iowa State University, Mark and his wife, Carrie live in Des Moines along with daughters, Meghan and Zoey

Gina West, Administrative Assistant, 515-271-1910

Gina began working at the ICD in 2008 after working for 12 years at Woodward Granger school system as High School Secretary and Superintendent’s Secretary. She lives in Woodward with her husband, Denny, and 4 children, Amy, Alex, Allison and Annie.

Kristin Teig Torres, Cedar Valley YLC Coordinator (Allen College -Shared Employee) 319-226-2016

Kristin is currently the Alumni Affairs/Student Life Coordinator for Allen College in Waterloo, Iowa. Allen Hospital and Allen College donated a portion of Kristin's time to ICD to serve as the Cedar Valley YTC Coordinator.

A Cedar Falls Native, she returned to the area in March 2004 after living in Denver, Colorado. Prior to joining the Allen College staff, she was the Marketing/Development Director at the Waterloo Community Playhouse/Black Hawk Children's Theatre.

Kristin currently serves on the Waterloo Center for the Arts Friends Board, the steering committee for the local chapter of Leave a Legacy Iowa and the RAN/AFPLS Board of Directors for Price Laboratory School/NU High.

Kristin resides in Cedar Falls with her husband, Travis and children Jack and Ava.