IHSAA Staff
Staff of the Iowa High School Athletic Association
Tom Keating
Executive Director
Email: [email protected]
A native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Tom was named executive director in 2019 after more than 40 years as a teacher, coach, and administrator in Iowa. He began as a teacher and coach at Maxwell before becoming the head coach for 11 state championship volleyball teams at Wahlert, Dubuque while serving as activities director. He was most recently principal and then president at Xavier, Cedar Rapids. An avid fan of Philadelphia sports teams, Tom and his wife Jodi have three adult sons: Kevin, Tim, and Ryan.
Meet Tom
Jared Chizek
Assistant Director
Email: [email protected]
Sport Administrator: Football, Swimming, Track & Field
Other Duties: Eligibility, Sport Statistics.
Sport Administrator: Football, Swimming, Track & Field
Other Duties: Eligibility, Sport Statistics.
Jared is a Manson native who joined the IHSAA in a full-time capacity in 2012. Prior to joining the staff, he was a multi-sport coach and official. He and his wife enjoy attending different sporting events around the Midwest.
Meet Jared
Chelsea Clark
Administrative Assistant
Email: [email protected]
Ticketing, Finance, Board of Control & Representative Council Support, Executive Director Support
Ticketing, Finance, Board of Control & Representative Council Support, Executive Director Support
Chelsea is from Boone and joined the IHSAA in 2009. She is married and has two children: daughter Chloey and son Jaydon. She enjoys running and attending her children’s activities.
Meet Chelsea
Chris Cuellar
Communications Director
Email: [email protected]
Achieve, Website, Publications, Social Media, Halls of Fame, Sports Information
Achieve, Website, Publications, Social Media, Halls of Fame, Sports Information
Chris is a Park View native who joined the IHSAA in 2017. A former sports reporter and recreational athlete, he enjoys traveling, reading, and pie. He lives in Bondurant with his wife, two kids, and dog.
Meet Chris
Lewie Curtis
Director of Officials
Email: [email protected]
Sport Administrator: Golf, Wrestling
Other Duties: Education, Training, Recruitment, Retention for Officials, Ejection Reports
Sport Administrator: Golf, Wrestling
Other Duties: Education, Training, Recruitment, Retention for Officials, Ejection Reports
A native of Williamsburg and graduate of Cornell College and UNI, Lewie joined the IHSAA in 2016 after 29 years as an educator, coach, and administrator at Underwood. He coached Underwood’s wrestling team to Class 1A state championships in 1999 and 2000. He and his wife Julie have three grown children: Bryan, Taylor, and Olivia. He likes pi ñ a coladas and getting caught in the rain.
Meet Lewie
Chad Elsberry
Assistant Director
Email: [email protected]
Sport Administrator: Bowling
Other Duties: Student Services, Technology, Awards, Governor’s Scholar, Marketing & Sponsorships, Outreach & Development.
Sport Administrator: Bowling
Other Duties: Student Services, Technology, Awards, Governor’s Scholar, Marketing & Sponsorships, Outreach & Development.
Chad joined the IHSAA in 2000 after serving as a newspaper editor in Iowa and Minnesota. He is a former instructor at DMACC and enjoys photography, reading, golf, and travelling for good BBQ. He lives in Ames with his wife and daughter.
Meet Chad
Elisa Kahler
Office Manager
Email: [email protected]
Operations, Mailings, Publications, Sport Support, Membership Entries, Office Supply
Operations, Mailings, Publications, Sport Support, Membership Entries, Office Supply
When not at the IHSAA office or state tournaments, Elisa enjoys traveling, attending sporting events, gardening, and spending time with family. She has been a Boone resident for over 40 years. Elisa and husband Ron have two sons, Adam and Jeremy (married to Gina), and one grandson, Sterling.
Meet Elisa
Tim Latta
Digital Print Specialist
Email: [email protected]
Printing, Publications, Design, Tournament Plaques
Printing, Publications, Design, Tournament Plaques
Tim is a lifelong resident of Madrid, joining the IHSAA in 2010. He and his wife Debbie have three children and four grandchildren. In their spare time they enjoy attending their grandkids’ events, bowling, golf, and riding bikes.
Meet Tim
Kim Mechura
Administrative Assistant
Email: [email protected]
Awards, Foreign Exchange, Wrestling Support, Governor's Scholar, Reception
Awards, Foreign Exchange, Wrestling Support, Governor's Scholar, Reception
Kim is a Sioux City native who joined the IHSAA in 2009. She previously worked in banking for 22 years and her passion is dogs, including taking care of three of her own and helping foster hospice dogs. She lives in Boone with her daughter and son.
Meet Kim
Jessica Morgan
Director of Finance
Email: [email protected]
Accounting, School Reimbursements, Ticketing, Employee Payroll, Benefits
Accounting, School Reimbursements, Ticketing, Employee Payroll, Benefits
Jess is an Ames native who joined the IHSAA in 2013. She enjoys running and reading. She lives in Boone with her husband and two daughters.
Meet Jessica
Este Peterson
Administrative Assistant
Email: [email protected]
Enrollments, Calendars, Participation Surveys, Concussion Education, Cooperative Sharing Agreements
Enrollments, Calendars, Participation Surveys, Concussion Education, Cooperative Sharing Agreements
Este is a Southwest Iowa native who joined the IHSAA in 2022. She and her husband and two daughters live in Boone, where she is a volleyball coach and program director.
Meet Este
Whitney Schlicht
Administrative Assistant
Email: [email protected]
Officials Registration, Officials Contracts, Officials Data, Host Contracts, Rules Meetings, Ejection Reports
Officials Registration, Officials Contracts, Officials Data, Host Contracts, Rules Meetings, Ejection Reports
A native of Ogden, Whitney joined the IHSAA in September 2021. She and her husband David met racing in Boone and now enjoy spending time with their daughter Brooklyn, son Brody, and dog. Whitney is proud of her homemade cinnamon rolls and smoked pulled pork.
Meet Whitney
Todd Tharp
Assistant Director
Email: [email protected]
Sport Administrator: Basketball, Soccer
Other Duties: Eligibility, Enrollments, Coaching Education, Concussion Training, Cooperative Agreements.
Sport Administrator: Basketball, Soccer
Other Duties: Eligibility, Enrollments, Coaching Education, Concussion Training, Cooperative Agreements.
Originally from Marion, Todd joined the IHSAA staff in 2005 after 16 years in public education as an English teacher, coach, and athletic director. He and his wife Angela have three boys: Brett (married to Morgan), the late Connor, and Mason.
Meet Todd
Andy Umthun
Assistant Director
Email: [email protected]
Sport Administrator: Cross Country, Tennis, Baseball
Other Duties: Student Advisory, Eligibility, Coaching Education, Wrestling Weight Management.
Sport Administrator: Cross Country, Tennis, Baseball
Other Duties: Student Advisory, Eligibility, Coaching Education, Wrestling Weight Management.
An Iowa native, Andy joined the IHSAA in 2022 after 15 years as an educator, coach, and administrator. He and his wife Morgan have two young boys, Emmett and Graham. Andy is an avid sports enthusiast and loves to play golf, smoke meat, and spend time with his family.
Meet Andy