Administrators
Major Todd Thielke
Senior Kroc Center Officer
todd_thielke@usc.salvationarmy.org
Major Catherine Thielke
Officer for Program Development
catherine_thielke@usc.salvationarmy.org
Major Todd Thielke. Senior Kroc Center Officer, is a native of Wisconsin where he earned his undergraduate degree with a double major in Marketing and Management at the University of Wisconsin. Major Catherine Thielke, Officer for Congregational Life, is also from Wisconsin where she attended the University of Wisconsin and earned a degree in Personnel Management.
Majors Todd and Cathy have been Corps Officers for 20 years. They entered the Salvation Army training college from the Janesville, Wisconsin Corps. They have served at Chicago Midway Citadel; St Charles-Tri-City Corps; and North Platte NE Corps as Corps Officers. While holding these positions, they oversaw the building of two new Salvation Army Corps Community Centers and directed program development.
In June of 2008, Majors Todd and Catherine were appointed to the Eastern Michigan Division. Major Todd was named Divisional Secretary and the Detroit City Commander. Catherine was named the Secretary for Program and oversaw programs such as Officers Councils, National Day of Prayer, Multi-Cultural Ministries, World Missions, and Church Leadership Development. While in Detroit, Major Todd oversaw 5 corps programs along with the Kroc Center Development department with a total of 4 corps officers and 91 employees. Together, the Thielke's were also responsible for large event planning, public relations, and were involved in family and youth camp planning and leadership.
In July 2010, Majors Todd and Catherine were assigned to The Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center in Omaha, Nebraska. Their charter is to guide the continued growth and development of the organization and to ensure the continued commitment to achieving its vision and mission.
Aquatics Staff
Candice Kellogg - Aquatics Manager
Candice_Kellogg@USC.salvationarmy.org
Alexandria Garcia- Aquatics Coordinator
Alexandria_Garcia@USC.salvationarmy.org
Business Staff
Madeline Moyer - Business Services Director
As the Kroc Center’s Business Services Director, Madeline is responsible for the overall administration and coordination of the Kroc Center’s Customer Services Department which includes overseeing staffing, KidZone, volunteer coordination. She also handles the HR function for the Kroc Center, along with being the Business Partner liaison for the center. Having worked in various capacities for First National Bank for more than 31 years, Madeline brings a high level of business-services experience to Omaha’s Kroc Center. She’s also served on the local Salvation Army Advisory Board for 20 years and has in-depth knowledge of the overall mission of The Salvation Army. In addition, Madeline serves on the board of directors of the Latino Center of the Midlands. Madeline_Moyer@usc.salvationarmy.org
Vera Neal - Business Services Coordinator
Vera_Neal@usc.salvationarmy.org
Wendy Kaiser - Volunteer Coordinator
Wendy_Kaiser@usc.salvationarmy.org
Autumn Stock - Membership Assistant
Autumn_Stock@usc.salvationarmy.org
Sybil Beglin - Procurement/HR Specialist
Sybil_Beglin@usc.salvationarmy.org
Lyndee Neumayer - Administrative Assistant
Lyndee_Neumayer@usc.salvationarmy.org
donor relations
John Wehrle - Kroc Center Director of Donor Relations
John_Wehrle@usc.salvationarmy.org
Education Staff
Gina Ponce - Education and Arts Manager
Having held such positions as Executive Director of the now Latino Center of The Midlands and, most recently, Program Director at Bellevue University’s South Omaha Scholarship Program for Latinos in the South Omaha community, Gina is responsible for managing all educational and art-related programming for the center. Having been actively involved in serving the community for thirteen years, Gina serves as Commissioner on the Mexican American Commission representing Omaha Nebraska, a position designated by Governor Heineman.
Gina_Ponce@usc.salvationarmy.org
gUEST SERVICES STAFF
Mary Beth Danielson - Guest Services Manager
As the Kroc Center’s Customer Services Manager, Mary Beth brings 15+ years of customer relations experience as well as a wealth of hands-on, tangible knowledge to the Customer Service department of Omaha’s Kroc Center. Formerly the Membership Director at The Center in Council Bluffs and the Member Services Director at Alegent Health Lakeside Wellness Center, Mary Beth handles guest service responsibilities, customer service concerns and the KidZone child care area.
MaryBeth_Danielson@usc.salvationarmy.org
Kathy Powers - Guest Services Coordinator
Kathy_Powers@usc.salvationarmy.org
Health & Fitness Staff
Sandy Andersen - Health and Fitness Manager
Sandy brings over 15 years of experience in the fitness industry to the Kroc Center. A certified fitness instructor in a wide variety of areas including strength training, pilates, kickboxing, step aerobics, and yoga, Sandy is uniquely experienced in working with people of all ages including youth, adults and seniors. Having held health and fitness-related positions with the YMCA, Alegent Health Lakeside Wellness Center, Gold's Gym and the Council Bluffs Senior Center, Sandy is trained in helping people reach their fitness goals, lose weight and live an overall healthier life. Sandy also holds certifications in CPR, First Aid and AED.
Sandra_Andersen@usc.salvationarmy.org
Kiley Schwedhelm - Health & Fitness Coordinator Kiley_Schwedhelm@usc.salvationarmy.org
Marketing Staff
Jennifer Bull - Marketing Director
As the Kroc Center’s Marketing Director, Jennifer brings more than 15 years of experience in the Marketing and Advertising industry to the Kroc Center. Her marketing career began at a printing company where she spent 8 years developing her Marketing and Public Relations skills. That job led her to Clarke Lanzen Skalla Investment Firm where she was the Marketing Production Manager for the money management firm and its parent company in New York. Most recently she assisted the Regional Sales team at First National Bank in their Merchant Solutions Department with sales campaign planning and she was the lead on developing and designing materials for Sales Representatives. Jennifer also owns her own art-based business Hot Tempered Glass, a glass bead and jewelry design company. She recently stepped down as the Regional Director for the International Society of Glass Bead Makers and has been awarded a Laurel for her glass bead making in the Society for Creative Anachronism. Jennifer oversees all aspects of marketing and communications as it relates to the Kroc Center.
Jennifer_Bull@usc.salvationarmy.org
Dawn Myron - Marketing Coordinator
Dawn_Myron@usc.salvationarmy.org
MINISTRY TEAM
Lt. John Fetzer IV - Officer for Congregational Life
John_FetzerIV@usc.salvationarmy.org
Lt. Judith A. Fetzer - Officer for Youth Development Judith_Fetzer@usc.salvationarmy.org
Daniel Ensor - Worship Arts & Outreach Coordinator
Daniel_Ensor@usc.salvationarmy.org
Joyce Kocarnik - Pastoral Corps Secretary
Joyce_Kocarnik@usc.salvationarmy.org
Special Events Staff
Andrea Zink - Special Events Manager
As Special Events Manager at the Omaha Kroc Center Andrea is responsible for marketing and overseeing all private, corporate, and non-profit events. Andrea previously worked at the Nashville Opera creating a successful special events program. She loves working collaboratively and approaches each and every event as a personal expression. Her goal is to build lasting relationships and offer fresh ideas to achieve a client’s vision, showcasing creativity, innovation, and professional execution while delivering the “wow” factor.
Andrea_Zink@usc.salvationarmy.org
Lisa Rushlau, Special Events Coordinator
Lisa_Rushlau@USC.salvationarmy.org
Kevin Newlin, CEC - Executive Chef
Formerly the Executive Chef and adjunct instructor for the Institute for the Culinary Arts at Metropolitan Community College, Kevin Newlin has been hired as the Kroc Center’s Executive Chef to oversee all foodservice operations. Chef Newlin brings 22 years of culinary experience to the center and is a Certified Executive Chef through the American Culinary Federation. Currently serving as president of the local ACF chapter, Kevin has held Chefs positions at several local restaurants and country clubs.
Kevin_Newlin@usc.salvationarmy.org
Debbie Miles - Food Services Coordinator
Debbie_Miles@usc.salvationarmy.org
Sports and RECREATION Staff
Brandon Palmer - Sports and Recreation Manager
Brandon Palmer was drawn to Sports and Recreation because of his passion to help families and young children aspire to be their best. His dedication to community outreach and talent for establishing new and innovative programming led him to The Salvation Army Kroc Center. Brandon has established himself as an innovative leader at the Kroc Center. His development of the Kiddy and Kiddo Sports programs along with his dedication and passion for placing every child in the correct sport environment based on their specific skill level sets him apart. Brandon loves the opportunities we have at the Kroc Center to provide unbelievable programming to a great community willing to embrace it and he has set high standards for the Sports and Recreation Department.
Brandon_Palmer@USC.salvationarmy.org
Operations Staff
Jonathan Kuebler - Director of Operations
Kuebler has 24 years of operations and team leadership experience. For 16 years, he was part of the senior management team at AAA Washington, serving the last 9 years as the director of travel services operations at the Bellevue, Washington headquarters. The organization serves 980,000 constituents in the state of Washington and Northern Idaho. Prior to then, Kuebler was director of operations at the Seattle,Wash., headquarters of EXTRASPACE, a retail store selling home organization products.
He has a Master of International Management in Business Administration degree from the American Graduate School of International Management (Thunderbird) in Glendale, Ariz. Kuebler earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Oklahoma State University.
Jonathan_Kuebler@usc.salvationarmy.org
Carl Larson - Facility Services Director
Formerly the Director of Building Operations with Omaha’s Qwest Center in downtown Omaha, Carl was hired in January of 2009 as the Kroc Center’s Facility Service Director. As part of his responsibilities, Carl will oversee and manage all day-to-day facility, mechanical and grounds issues. Carl began his facility maintenance career at the former Aksarben building and held many positions.
Carl_Larson@usc.salvationarmy.org
Bobby Britting - Safety & Security Coordinator
Bobby_Britting@usc.salvationarmy.org
Randy Braddock - Safety & Security Assistant
Mike Santee - Facilities Services
Mark Ridder - Facilities Services