Board of Directors
Friendship Ark Homes is led by a volunteer Board of Directors with many years of experience in business, law, human services, religion, and education.
President
John Russell, President, Bankers Trust, Ames,
Iowa. John joined the Board of Directors in January 2010. He
has worked in the banking service for over 18 years, all in Ames. He is
active in his church, with Ames schools and Foundation, and the Rotary
Club. John has served on many boards including AEDC, CCJ, the Iowa Games,
Ames Chamber of Commerce, and Richmond Center, just to name a few. In
2009, John completed his term as Campaign Chair for United Way in Story
County.
Vice
President
Rich Fellingham joined the Board in July 2009. Rich
has been involved in radio as News Director for over 29 years. His latest
position was as President and CEO of Special Olympics Iowa. He now works
part time in radio, announcing ISU Women’s basketball games. Rich has
been very involved in his church and on boards of many community organizations
and schools. He lives in Ames with his wife.
Treasurer
George Klotzbach, Self-Employed, Small Business Accountant - Tax Preparer - Farm Manager. George has experience as a bank examiner and auditor. He lives in Ames and has served in various positions on boards for Bethesda Lutheran Church, Izaak Walton League and the Story County Volunteer Center.
Secretary
Mary Ellen Wishart, Retired Academic Adviser, Department of Health and Human Services, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa. Mary Ellen worked for Iowa State University for 23 years helping students with the planning of their college program and connecting them with career opportunities during college and after their graduation. She also has experience in the field of journalism, writing for the Iowa State Extension Service and a number of volunteer organizations. Mary Ellen supported the Friendship Ark Homes Grant Writing Committee as a volunteer prior to her Board term. Additionally, she has been the Chair of the Feasibility Study for the renovation of St. Thomas Aquinas Church and Student Center, an Adviser to Delta Delta Delta collegiate chapter and the President of the Ames Area Alumnae of Delta Delta Delta, Adviser to St. Thomas college student organization, Secretary of the city-wide PTA, has served on the Board of the Ames Foreign Language Association and has been a 4-H leader. Mary Ellen is also an accompanist for St. Thomas Aquinas Church.
Member
Tom Flack joined the Board in June 2009. Tom lives in
Ames and has been a pharmacist for many years, working at Fastco Drug
and Medicap Pharmacy in Ames. Most recently, he has worked as relief pharmacist
throughout Iowa. Tom has served on the board at Youth and Shelter Services,
Heartland Foundation, and ACTORS. He has volunteered at many organizations,
such as Mary Greeley Medical Center and Sawyer School.
Member
Lisa Heddens joined the Board of Directors at Friendship
Ark Homes in May 2011. Lisa has been one of our state legislators since
2003. She is also the Service Coordinator at People Place in Ames. Previously,
Ms. Heddens worked with Brain Injury of Iowa and ASK Resource Center.
Lisa has served on numerous government committees, councils and other
boards. She is truly a public servant! Lisa lives outside of Ames with
her family.
Member
Dean Howarth joined the Friendship Ark Homes Board of Directors in July 2011. Dean is actively involved in his church and the Kiwanis. After serving as an officer in the navy, Dean taught and was the Associate Director of the Environmental Health and Safety Department at ISU. He also was the Director of Safety Management at a manufacturing organization in Minnesota. Dean has served on boards at YSS and People Place. Dean lives with his wife in Ames.
Member
Jeanne Maharry, Retired Manager and Loan Officer, US Bank, Ames, Iowa. Since her retirement, Jeanne has been busy helping to care for her granddaughter who has Down's Syndrome. She is a United Way Volunteer, the Co-Chair of the Bail and Jail Cancer Drive, a participant in the Ames Mentoring Program, and the President of the Campustown Chamber of Commerce. She is also a Sunday School Teacher and serves on various church boards.
Member
Pauline Miller, Retired Physician, ISU Thielen Student Health Center, Ames, Iowa. Dr. Miller practiced medicine at the ISU Thielen Student Health Center
from 1979 until her recent retirement. Dr. Miller has been involved in several
campus committees and has enjoyed being a Wilderness Canoe Base guide.
She is a member of St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church and lives with her husband
outside of Ames.
Member
Rev. Jonathan Page, Pastor, United Church of Christ-Congregational, Ames, Iowa. Rev. Page moved to Ames from Massachusetts, after serving as chaplain at Harvard University. He has done extensive work with other non-profit organizations as well.
Member
Calli Sanders, Ed. D., Senior Associate Director of Athletics, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa. Calli worked in similar positions at the University of Alabama and Montana State, before joining ISU in 2003. Calli also worked as Associate Dean of Students at the University of Maine and served as Adjunct Training Faculty for Pre-Doctoral Internships. She also worked for the Director of Major Gifts at the Special Olympics International in D.C. Calli has volunteered as a Member of the President’s Council on Disabilities and was Co-Chair for the Ames High Post-Prom committee.
Executive
Director
Mary Beth Oostenbrug, Ames, Iowa. Mary Beth began work as Executive Director of Friendship Ark Homes on September 27, 2004. Prior to joining Friendship Ark Homes, Mary Beth had seven years experience in social services and six years in Human Resources. She is a Stephen Ministry Leader and Lay Minister.