Administrators
Major Todd Thielke
Senior Kroc Center Officer
todd_thielke@usc.salvationarmy.org
Major Catherine Thielke
Officer for Congregational Life
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
Linda Behounek
Aquatics Director
Linda brings to Omaha’s Kroc Center over 17 years experience as an Aquatics Director and Coordinator of the acclaimed, “Learn to Swim” programs. Her expertise and knowledge of aquatics stem from her experiences as a master level water fitness instructor, an instructor trainer for the United States Water Fitness Association, a certified pool operator and a water safety instructor and life-guard. Having worked locally for both the Jewish Community Center and the YMCA as an Aquatics Director, Linda brings a keen knowledge of aquatic organizational skills as well as customer service relations.
Linda_Behounek@usc.salvationarmy.org
Rebecca Miljavac - Aquatics Coordinator
Rebecca_Miljavac@USC.salvationarmy.org
Ashley Holthaus - Aquatics Assistant
Business Staff
Madeline Moyer
Business Services Director
Hired 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 will include overseeing volunteer coordination, staffing and business services. 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. She also serves on the board of directors of the Latino Center of the Midlands.
Madeline_Moyer@usc.salvationarmy.org
Mary Beth Danielson - Guest Services Manager MaryBeth_Danielson@usc.salvationarmy.org
Vera Montes - Business Services Coordinator Vera_Montes@usc.salvationarmy.org
Ginger Noel - Volunteer Coordinator
Ginger_Noel@usc.salvationarmy.org
Daniel Padilla - Finance Coordinator
Daniel_Padilla@usc.salvationarmy.org
Kathy Powers - Guest Services Coordinator
Kathy_Powers@usc.salvationarmy.org
Autumn Stock - Membership Assistant
Autumn_Stock@usc.salvationarmy.org
Salina Wallace - Business Services Administrative Assistant
Salina_Wallace@usc.salvationarmy.org
Education Staff
Gina Ponce
Education and Arts Director
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
Keith Hart - Creative Arts Coordinator
Keith_Hart@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
Mary Hickman - Health and Fitness Assistant
Mary_Hickman@usc.salvationarmy.org
Marketing Staff
Geri Michelic - Marketing Director
Geri_Michelic@usc.salvationarmy.org
Dawn Myron - Marketing Coordinator
Dawn_Myron@usc.salvationarmy.org
MINISTRY TEAM
Lieutenant Bersabe Vera-Hernandez
Officer for Youth Development and Outreach,
Multi-Cultural Ministries Coordinator
Erica Johnson, Music and Spanish Ministries Coordinator
Erica_Johson@USC.salvationarmy.org
Joyce Kocarnik - Pastoral Corps Secretary
Joyce_Kocarnik@usc.salvationarmy.org
Special Events Staff
Rachael White - Event Manager
Rachael’s background includes over 10 years of Promotions and Marketing experience which began in radio working both on and off air at stations such as Sweet 98 and 89.7 the River at Iowa Western Community College, where she was the first graduate of the radio station's broadcasting program. She has held positions in 2 of the top 10 companies in the world with involvement in new product launches and event marketing. Rachael has worked with a wide range of clients from mom and pop operations to events with some of the nation’s top CEOs.
Rachael_White@usc.salvationarmy.org
Beth Groh - Event Coordinator
Beth_Groh@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
Telia Young - Food Service Coordinator
Telia_Young@usc.salvationarmy.org
Sports and RECREATION Staff
Tony Collins
Sports and Recreation Director
Formerly a train dispatcher for Union Pacific and Director of the City of Omaha’s Weed & Seed program (U.S. Department of Justice), Tony brings to the Kroc Center his unique expertise and talents of working with youth through sports and fitness programs. Tony is also the President and CEO of Nothing But Net Foundation, an organization which provides guidance and direction to Omaha’s youth.
Tony_Collins@usc.salvationarmy.org
Daryl Milius - Sports and Recreation Coordinator
Daryl_Milius@usc.salvationarmy.org
Luther Hall - Sports and Recreation Coordinator II
Luther_Hall@usc.salvationarmy.org
Ivonne Valentin - Sports and Recreation Assistant
Ivonne_Valentin@usc.salvationarmy.org
Support Staff
Sybil Beglin - Administrative Assistant
Sybil_Beglin@usc.salvationarmy.org
Operations Staff
Tom Folk
Director of Operations
Previously the Vice President of Operations for the Metropolitan Entertainment and Convention Authority at Qwest Center Omaha, Tom was hired by the Kroc Center in May of 2008. Tom is directly involved in the design of the organizational structure and related hiring of all staff, the development of programming and related policies and procedures and assisting in construction and operation components of the facility.
Tom_Folk@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 McLaughlin - Facilities Services Assistant
Jeremy Robb - Facilities Services Assistant