Crisis Center Staff

"What one has, one ought to use: and whatever he does he should do with all his might."
- Marcus Tullius Cicero

Becci Reedus

Executive Director

As Executive Director, Becci is responsible for the overall management of the Crisis Center of Johnson County, operating under the strategic direction established by the Board of Directors. She has 35 years of experience in nonprofit management, most recently at Common Ground, a crisis center in the Detroit, Michigan area.

Becci is originally from LaPorte City, Iowa and holds a Bachelor of Social Work degree from the University of Northern Iowa. Her email address is becci.reedus@jccrisiscenter.org and she can be reached at (319) 351-2726.

Fun fact? Becci's first day at the Crisis Center was June 23, 2008 which coincided with the peak of the Iowa City area floods.

Brooke Anstoetter

Communications & Development Coordinator

Brooke's primary focus as C&D Coordinator is volunteer recruitment efforts, and she assists with internal and external communications, advertising, fundraising and donor stewardship. She joined the Crisis Center staff in June 2010.

A May 2010 graduate of the University of Iowa, Brooke holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in political science and journalism and mass communications. Her hometown is Epworth, Iowa. Brooke's email address is brooke.anstoetter@jccrisiscenter.org and she can be reached at (319) 351-2726.

Fun fact: Brooke was once the Kool Kat, Dubuque radio station KAT FM's mascot.

Sarah Benson Witry

Food Bank & Emergency Assistance Director

Sarah supervises staff, volunteers, operations and purchasing as the director of the Food Bank & Emergency Assistance Program. She had been a Crisis Center volunteer for almost six years prior to starting her position in October 2008.

Sarah completed her Master of Social Work degree at the University of Iowa in May 2009 and is a native of Ames, Iowa. Her email address is sarah.witry@jccrisiscenter.org and she can be reached at (319) 351-0128.

Fun fact: Despite growing up in Cyclone country, Sarah is a faithful Hawkeye fan.

Elizabeth Haas

Food Bank & Emergency Assistance Coordinator

As Coordinator, Elizabeth supports the Food Bank staff and volunteers in serving clients and oversees the Emergency Assistance program. She started her tenure at the Crisis Center as a volunteer, served as a tornado case advocate in April 2006 and assumed her current responsibilities in fall 2006.

Elizabeth's hometown is Grinnell, Iowa and she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Humanities from Macalester College. Her email address is elizabeth.haas@jccrisiscenter.org and she can be reached at (319) 351-0128.

Fun fact: To maintain her sanity, Elizabeth volunteers once a week at the Macbride Raptor Project.

Laura Lovell

Office Manager

Laura's responsibilities as Office Manager are numerous and varied - bookkeeping and financial reports, payroll and staff benefits, purchasing, and building maintenance are just a few - and she knows the answers to almost all questions.

Laura has been with the Crisis Center since October 1997 and is a native of Martinsville, Virginia. Her email address is laura.lovell@jccrisiscenter.org and she can be reached at (319) 351-2726.

Fun fact: Laura actually enjoys reconciling bank statements.

Stefanie Meller

Food Bank Volunteer Coordinator

As her title suggests, Stefanie coordinates training and support for all volunteers in the Food Bank program. She joined the Crisis Center staff in June 2010 and previously served as Volunteer Coordinator for the University of Iowa's RiverFest.

Stefanie has a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Iowa and is originally from Middletown, IA. Her email address is stefanie.meller@jccrisiscenter.org and she can be reached at (319) 351-0128.

Fun fact: Stefanie is getting married in January 2011.

Keri Neblett

Community Intervention Director

As CI Director, Keri manages the staff, volunteers and service delivery of the Crisis Intervention, Suicide Prevention and Disaster Response programs. She came to to the Crisis Center from the Partnership for Safe Families in February 2004 but had served as a 24-Hour Crisis Line volunteer for five years in the 1990's.

Keri hails from Louisville, Kentucky (go Cardinals!) and holds a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Iowa. Her email address is keri.neblett@jccrisiscenter.org and she can be reached at (319) 351-0140.

Fun fact: Keri bears a strong resemblence to Xena, Warrier Princess.

Beth Ritter Ruback

Communication & Development Director

Beth is responsible for internal and external communications, advertising, fundraising campaigns and donor stewardship for the Crisis Center. Prior to joining the staff in January 2009, she served as a state tobacco control advocate for seven years.

Beth is originally from Creston, Iowa and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism from the University of Iowa. Her email address is beth.ruback@jccrisiscenter.org and she can be reached at (319) 351-2726.

Fun fact: Beth worked as a space planner for the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia.

John Shean

Crisis Intervention Program Coordinator

As Coordinator, John trains and supports the volunteers who provide counseling services in person and on the 24-Hour Crisis Line. He came to the Crisis Center in February 2009 from the Mid-Eastern Council on Chemical Abuse.

John received Bachelor of Arts degrees in psychology and English from the University of Iowa and his hometown is Cedar Rapids, Iowa. His email address is john.shean@jccrisiscenter.org and he can be reached at (319) 351-0140.

Fun fact: John's excellent sense of humor helps him endure being the only male on staff.