President
Ken Israel, Clinical Psychologist, Co-Owner, Ames Counseling and Psychological Services, Ames, Iowa. Ken has been a practicing psychologist in Tennessee and Iowa for 18 years. He serves as Volunteer Support Group leader at Mary Greeley Medical Center and is active on the church council and various committees at St. Andrew's Lutheran Church.

Treasurer
Father Ev Hemann, Pastor, St. Thomas Aquinas Church and Catholic Student Center, Ames, Iowa. Father Ev is a founding Board Member of Friendship Ark Homes. He served three years during his first term. Father Ev also serves on the Internal Review Board of Iowa State University, the Ames Ministerial Association, The Compassionate Friends Advisory Board, and the Ames Sister City Advisory Board.

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
Chuck Fox, Vice President, Demonstratives, Inc., Ames, Iowa. After graduating from Iowa State University, Chuck was a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Michigan. He and his wife Sharon returned to Ames in 1995 when he joined Engineering Animation, Inc. to work as a Project Manager and then Director of Production. He is currently Vice President in charge of life sciences visualization at Demonstratives, Inc., an Ames company that creates animation for the courtroom. Chuck is a member of the Knights of Columbus, Council 2230 (St. Cecilia Parish). He served the council as Grand Knight in 2003-2004. Chuck serves as a catechist on the RCIA team at St. Cecilia Parish, and he and his wife Sharon are a FOCCUS couple assisting couples preparing for marriage in their parish.

Member
Kori Heuss, Heuss Printing, Inc., Ames, Iowa. Kori started employment with Heuss Printing, Inc. in 2005. Prior to that she worked for the Ames Chamber of Commerce from 2000-2005. Kori was involved with the FACES Festival from 2002-2004 and chaired the Festival during 2003-2004. She served on the boards of Worldly Goods from 2001-2005 (chair in 2005) and Heartland Senior Services in 2005. Kori also served on the VEISHA Advisory Council from 1999-2004 and worked with the Ames ISU Task Force "Breaking Down the Barriers" from 2000-2004.

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
Charlie Ricketts, Retired Engineer, Sauer-Danfoss, Ames, Iowa. Charlie worked for Sauer-Danfoss for 38 years and retired in 1999. He has been active in the community, serving the Ames Foundation, ISU Engineering Dept. Advisory Council, Rotary, CCJ, School Board, and the Community Foundation of Greater Story Co. just to name a few! He is an active member of Bethesda Lutheran Church.

Member
Susan Teas, Transition Consultant, Heartland Area Education Agency, Ames, Iowa. Susan is a transition consultant for special education for Heartland AEA. With more than 35 years of experience in the field of special education, working with service providers outside of the school system, she understands the skills needed for successful placement in residential living and employment environments.

Member
Daryle Vegge, Market Manager, Aftermarket, Sauer- Danfoss, Ames, Iowa. Daryle's career of over 29 years with Sauer-Danfoss has provided him with varied work experience which started with Industrial Engineering and has included positions of Analytic Trouble Shooting Trainer, Quality Circles Facilitator, Leadership Training Facilitator, Supervisor and Leader/Facilitator of a "Self-Managed" Work Team, and Marketing Sales Manager. Daryle has been involved in the Ames community through varied board and community service commitments. He has served as Secretary, Treasurer, Vice President, President and Coach of Ames Minor Hockey, has been a Board Member and Coach of Ames Little League Baseball, has been Secretary, Treasurer, Vice President and President of various boards and committees at St. Andrew's Lutheran Church, has served on the Ames Parks and Rec Commission, has participated in Leadership Ames, was a Council Person on the Ames City Council, has served on the Ames Convention and Visitors Bureau Board of Directors and the Ames Economic Development Commission Board, has been on the Games Organizing Committee for the National Special Olympics and has volunteered as a Stash the Trash participant.

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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.