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 ext 109.

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 that summer.

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 ext 106.

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

Rachel Beach

Crisis Chat Coordinator

As coordinator of our new Crisis Chat online counseling service, Rachel is responsible for recruitment, training and management of our Chat specialist volunteers. She joined The Crisis Center in October 2011 and works part-time, primarily weekday afternoons.

Rachel graduated from the University of Iowa in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science in computer science as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish. She hails from Rockford, Illinois. Rachel's email address is rachel.beach@jccrisiscenter.org and she can be reached at (319) 351-2726 ext 111.

Fun fact: Just prior to joining our staff, Rachel spent 9 weeks teaching English and science to high school students in the country of Ghana.

Stefanie Bell

Food Bank 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.bell@jccrisiscenter.org and she can be reached weekdays at (319) 351-0128. Stefanie's after hours phone number is (319) 351-2726 ext 120.

Fun fact: Stefanie and her husband, Trey, plan to live abroad in the Middle East someday.

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 weekday sat (319) 351-0128. Her after hours phone number is (319) 351-2726 ext 118.

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

Elizabeth Haas

Emergency Assistance Coordinator

As Coordinator, Elizabeth oversees the efforts to provide emergency financial assistance to clients and also supports the Food Bank staff and volunteers with food distribution. 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 weekdays at (319) 351-0128. Her after hours phone number is (319) 351-2726 ext 117.

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

Sara Knox

Crisis Intervention Coordinator

As Coordinator, Sara trains and supports the volunteers who provide counseling services in person and on the 24-Hour Crisis Line. She came to the Crisis Center in July 2011 from the Mid-Eastern Council on Chemical Abuse where she was a trainer in the Synchrony Employee Assistance Program.

Sara received a Bachelor of Science degrees in economics from the University of Iowa and her hometown is Pomeroy, Iowa. Her email address is sara.knox@jccrisiscenter.org and she can be reached at (319) 351-2726 ext 102.

Fun fact: For exercise, Sara trains with a boxing coach but has no plans to enter the competitive ring anytime soon.

Angie Meiers

Office Manager

Angie is responsible for everything related to the operations of the Crisis Center. Bookkeeping and financial reports, purchasing, building maintenance, staff benefits and payroll (our favorite!) are just a few of her many areas of expertise.

Angie joined the Crisis Center in September 2010. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in accounting from St. Ambrose University and is a native of Durant, Iowa. Her email address is angie.meiers@jccrisiscenter.org and she can be reached at (319) 351-2726 ext 107.

Fun fact: Angie and her daughter, Abby, share the same birthday.

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) 351-2726 ext 114.

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

Beth Ritter Ruback

Communications & 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 ext 108.

Fun fact: Beth tries to live by the motto "Life is short, eat dessert first."