IHSAA Staff
Staff of the Iowa High School Athletic Association
Tom Keating
Executive Director
Email: [email protected]
Meet Tom
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.
Jared Chizek
Assistant Director
Email: [email protected]
Sport Administrator: Football, Swimming, Track & Field
Other Duties: Eligibility, Sport Statistics.
Meet Jared
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.
Chelsea Clark
Administrative Assistant
Email: [email protected]
Ticketing, Finance, Board of Control & Representative Council Support, Executive Director Support
Meet Chelsea
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.
Chris Cuellar
Communications Director
Email: [email protected]
Achieve, Media Relations, Website, Social Media, Sports Information, Publications, Halls of Fame, Video Access, Internships
Meet Chris
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 near Boone with his wife, two kids, and dog.
Chad Elsberry
Assistant Director
Email: [email protected]
Sport Administrator: Bowling, Golf
Other Duties: Student Services, Technology, Awards, Governor’s Scholar, Marketing & Sponsorships, Outreach & Development.
Meet Chad
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 traveling for good BBQ. He lives in Ames with his wife and daughter.
Elisa Kahler
Office Manager
Email: [email protected]
Operations, Mailings, Publications, Sport Support, Membership Entries, Office Supply.
Meet Elisa
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 and three grandchildren.
Tim Latta
Digital Print Specialist
Email: [email protected]
Printing, Publications, Design, Tournament Plaques
Meet Tim
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.
Kim Mechura
Administrative Assistant
Email: [email protected]
Awards, Foreign Exchange, Wrestling Support, Governor’s Scholar, Reception
Meet Kim
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.
Jessica Morgan
Director of Finance
Email: [email protected]
Accounting, School Reimbursements, Ticketing, Employee Payroll, Benefits
Meet Jessica
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.
Este Peterson
Administrative Assistant
Email: [email protected]
Enrollments, Calendars, Participation Surveys, Concussion Education, Cooperative Sharing Agreements
Meet Este
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.
Whitney Schlicht
Administrative Assistant
Email: [email protected]
Officials Registration, Officials Contracts, Officials Data, Host Contracts, Rules Meetings, Ejection Reports
Meet Whitney
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.
Todd Tharp
Assistant Director
Email: [email protected]
Sport Administrator: Basketball, Soccer
Officials: Coordinator, Recruitment & Retention, Ejection Reports
Other Duties: Eligibility, Enrollments, Coaching Education, Concussion Training, Cooperative Agreements
Meet Todd
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 sons – Brett (Morgan), Mason (Bri), and the late Connor – and three grandchildren.
Andy Umthun
Assistant Director
Email: [email protected]
Sport Administrator: Cross Country, Tennis, Baseball, Wrestling
Other Duties: Student Advisory, Eligibility, Coaching Education, Wrestling Weight Management
Meet Andy
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.