Updated 5/14/2024

Iowa Commission for the Blind

Amy Salger(appointed 2/28/23 term ends 4/30/25)

Michael Hoenig (appointed 5/1/23 term ends 4/30/26)

Sara Coleman (appointed 5/1/24 term ends 4/30/26)

Key Responsibilities:

• Approve agency policies
• Approve Gifts & Bequests requests as outlined in G&B Guidelines
• Receive and share stakeholder feedback

Direct Reports:

• None

Emily Wharton, Director

Time in Current Position: since 10/16

Emily.Wharton@blind.state.ia.us (515)802-7313

This position serves at the pleasure of the Governor of the State of Iowa.

Functional Responsibilities

• Appointing authority
• Strategic Planning
• Daily management and operations

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead agency to fulfillment of mission and achievement of vision
• Allocate resources in alignment with agency goals and values
• Provide clear communication and promote collaboration with and among staff, partners, and consumers

Direct Reports:

• 1 Deputy Director
• 1 Executive Secretary
• 1 Accountant Supervisor (CFO)
• 4 Program Administrators
• 1 Chief Information Officer

Sarah Willeford, Library Director, Deputy Director

Time in Current Position: since 2/14

Sarah.Willeford@blind.state.ia.us (515)494-8439

Functional Responsibilities

• Instructional Materials Center
• Library Circulation
• Building Maintenance
• Backup for Director

Key Responsibilities:

• Ensure the provision of high quality, timely instructional materials to blind youth
• Ensure the provision of books, newspapers, and magazines in alternative formats to blind Iowans as a regional library for the National Library Service for the Blind & Print Disabled
• Promote braille literacy and inspire a love of reading in blind and low vision youth to promote educational and career success
• Serve as building manager and provide supervision to maintenance staff

Direct Reports:

• 1 Access Services Librarian
• 1 Special Services Librarian
• 1 Youth Services Librarian
• 1 Accessible Media Specialist
• 1 Digital Recording Specialist/Studio Manager
• 1 Audio Production Librarian
• 1 Technical Services Librarian
• 1 Braille Coordinator
• 1 Instructional Materials Center Librarian
• 1 Instructional Material Center Service Specialist
• 1 Braille Transcriber
• 1 Facilities Engineer
• 1 Maintenance Repairer
• 2 Custodians

Kim Walford, Independent Living Program Administrator

Time in Current Position: since 9/13

Kim.walford@blind.state.ia.us (515)250-1184

Functional Responsibilities

• Independent Living services

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide individual and small group independent living skills training to older Iowans that will allow them to remain in their homes and continue to be active in their communities
• Provide assistive devices to enable older individuals who are experiencing extensive vision loss to continue to perform essential life functions
• Provide information and training to service providers to build their capacity to serve blind Iowans
• Administer the ACL Part B grant and RSA OIB grant
• Development, reporting and monitoring for the State Independent Living Plan (SPIL

Direct Reports:

• 2 Senior Independent Living Teachers (SSSB1)
• 5 Independent Living Teachers (SSB2)
• 1 Secretary 1
• 1 Resource Specialist (SSB2)

Keri Osterhaus, Vocational Rehabilitation Program Administrator

Time in Current Position: since 1/14

Keri.Osterhaus@blind.state.ia.us (515)205-8583

Functional Responsibilities

• Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling
• Unified State Plan
• Business Enterprise Program

Key Responsibilities:

• Ensure that high quality and timely vocational rehabilitation services are provided to clients which empower them to achieve their employment goals
• Collaborate with core and required partners to ensure compliance with the Workforce Innovation & Opportunities Act (WIOA)
• Help employers breakdown stereotypes regarding the capabilities of blind workers and take advantage of this underutilized source of talent
• Promote self-employment for blind Iowans within the Business enterprise Program (BEP) and other programs

Direct Reports:

• 1 Executive Officer 1 (Business Enterprise Program Administrator)
• 9 Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors (SSSB1)
• 1 Supported Employment Specialist (SSSB1)
• 1 Counselor Lead Worker / Quality Assurance Specialist (SSSB1)
• 1 VR Counselor Careers Instructor (SSSB1)
• 1 Deaf-Blind Specialist (SSSB1)
• 2 BEP Business Counselors (SSB2)
• 2 Secretaries 1
• 1 Secretary 2

Cheri Myers, Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Time in Current Position: since 5/19

Cheri.Myers@blind.state.ia.us (515)250-2936

Functional Responsibilities

• GAAP package / budget
• Federal financial reporting
• Audits
• all agency accounting

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee all agency financial operations and ensure compliance with all state and federal laws and regulations
• Provide agency director and Commission Board with accurate financial information and sound advice

Direct Reports:

• 2 Accounting Tech 3
• 1 Accounting Tech 2
• 1 Accounting Clerk 1

Karly Prinds, Training Center Program Administrator

Time in Current Position: since 9/3/21

Karly.Prinds@blind.state.ia.us (515) 802-8162

Functional Responsibilities

• Adjustment to Blindness Training Center Programs
• Vocational Rehabilitation Field Teaching

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide world class adjustment to blindness training to clients attending the Iowa Blindness Empowerment and Independence Center
• Provide training to new staff to facilitate a positive attitude toward blindness
• Ensure the provision of high quality and timely field training services to vocational rehabilitation clients throughout the state

###Direct Reports:

• 1 Rehabilitation Technology Specialist
• 4 Center Instructors (SSSB1)
• 8 Vocational Rehabilitation Teachers (SSSB1)
• 1 Center generalist (SSB2)

Connie Mendenhall, Chief Information Officer (CIO)

Time in Current Position: since 9/22

connie.mendenhall@blind.state.ia.us (515)250-2936

Functional Responsibilities

• Agency technology and information systems
• Website
• Social media
• Outreach
• Pre-ETS service development and expansion
• Youth Weekend Retreats
• LEAP Summer Youth Program
• Young Adult Transition Program (YATP)

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct and improve internal and external agency communications
• Track and expand agency outreach
• Organize and improve agency documentation
• Serve as agency CTO/CIO and ensure that agency has secure, efficient, and accessible technology with which to do their jobs
• Improve accessibility and increase awareness of access technology and its use among clients, partners, and employers
• Oversee Youth Programming YATP, LEAP youth summer camp and weekend retreats
• Expand IDB’s youth and Pre-ETS programs and services
• Build partnerships with local education agencies and educators

###Direct Reports:

• 1 Technology Specialist
• 1 Data Analyst
• 3 Rehabilitation Technology Specialists
• 1 Secretary 1
• 2 Vocational Rehabilitation Teachers 4 Plus (SSSB1)
• 1 Independent Living Skills Coordinator (SSB2)
• 4 Youth Service Workers
• 15 Temporary Youth Service Workers (summer)

Connie Mendenhall, Chief Information Officer (CIO)

Time in Current Position: since 9/22

connie.mendenhall@blind.state.ia.us (515)250-2936

Functional Responsibilities

• Agency technology and information systems
• Website
• Social media
• Outreach

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct and improve internal and external agency communications
• Track and expand agency outreach
• Organize and improve agency documentation
• Serve as agency CTO/CIO and ensure that agency has secure, efficient, and accessible technology with which to do their jobs
• Improve accessibility and increase awareness of access technology and its use among clients, partners, and employers

###Direct Reports:

• 1 Technology Specialist
• 1 Data Analyst
• 3 Rehabilitation Technology Specialists

Ambrose Fowler-Harney, Education and Training Director

Time in Current Position: since 11/23

ambrose.fowlerharney@blind.state.ia.us (515) 829-7411

Functional Responsibilities

• Pre-ETS service development and expansion
• Youth Weekend Retreats
• LEAP Summer Youth Program
• Young Adult Transition Program (YATP)

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee Youth Programming YATP, LEAP youth summer camp and weekend retreats
• Expand IDB’s youth and Pre-ETS programs and services
• Build partnerships with local education agencies and educators

###Direct Reports:

• 1 Secretary 1
• 2 Vocational Rehabilitation Teachers 4 Plus (SSSB1)
• 1 Independent Living Skills Coordinator (SSB2)
• 1 Youth Service Activities Coordinator (SSB2)
• 4 Youth Service Workers
• 15 Temporary Youth Service Workers (summer)