The dedicated staff at the IGHSAU is committed to providing opportunities for every school district in Iowa to provide girls with the chance to compete in Iowa high school athletics.

Working closely with the coaches, administrators, officials and staffs, the IGHSAU monitors activities for participation and opportunity for growth to support the Iowa Girl high school athlete. In addition to administrating sports, the IGHSAU conducts coaching certification courses, official education clinics and offers several scholarships that celebrate the Iowa Girl.

Each employee director oversees one or more of theĀ 11 sanctioned sports as well as key administrative responsibilities within the organization to support the needs of the athletes, coaches, administrators, officials and fans.

  • Jean Berger

    Jean Berger

    Executive Director

    Berger was named the fifth IGHSAU executive director in 2016. Prior to joining the staff, she was the associate athletic director at the University of Northern Iowa from 2008 to 2016, serving as the direct supervisor for five Panther sports: women's basketball, softball, tennis, soccer and volleyball. She also oversaw academic services and athletic training while monitoring Northern Iowa's gender equity plans. Berger also served 17 years at Drake University in a variety of roles, including senior women's athletics administrator, assistant athletic director for internal affairs and associate athletic director. Nationally, Berger was the Missouri Valley Conference representative to the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Issue Committee and served on the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Committee. She served a term on the NCAA Division I Women's Volleyball Committee in 2012. Berger also served in the sports information office at Wichita State and was the sports information director at Wayne State from 1985 to 1990. A Winterset native, Berger is a graduate of the University of Iowa, earning a bachelor's degree in journalism with a master's degree in physical education and sports studies.

    Departments: Eligibility, Enrollment, Board of Directors, Representative Council

  • Jason Eslinger

    Jason Eslinger

    Associate Director

    Jason Eslinger joined the IGHSAU in 1997 after serving stints in the sports information offices at Central Connecticut State and Drake University. The Grundy Center native serves in a similar capacity at the IGHSAU and also directs the softball and swimming & diving programs. Jason and his wife, Becky, reside in Prairie City with their two sons.

    Departments: Softball, Swimming & Diving, Elections, Hall of Fame, Records/Archives, Streaming, Website and Online Forms, Technology and Social Media

  • Erin Gerlich

    Erin Gerlich

    Associate Director

    Erin Gerlich is a native of Panora and is a graduate of Panorama High School. Erin is a graduate of Iowa State University and earned her masters at Oklahoma State. Erin was the activities director at Panorama High School from 2013 through 2021. Erin is a member of the Iowa Athletic Directors Association Executive Board and is the past president of the organization. Erin and her daughter Avery reside at Lake Panorama.

    Departments: Tennis, Wrestling, Emerging Sports, Special Projects, Community Outreach, mentoring programs

  • Gary Ross

    Gary Ross

    Associate Director

    Gary Ross joined the IGHSAU as an associate director in August 2017 to serve as the administrator for girls basketball, cross country and track and field. Currently, he oversees the sports of girls basketball and girls soccer. Previously, Ross served as the Johnston High School activities director for 22 years. Ross, a native of Fredericksburg, is a former president of the Iowa High School Athletic Directors Association and was named its Athletic Director of the Year in 2014.

    Departments: Basketball, Soccer, Cooperative Sharing Agreements, Eligibility, Foreign Exchange Students and Sanctions

  • Taylor Anderson

    Taylor Anderson

    Assistant Director - Sponsorships & Branding

    Taylor Anderson hails from Zearing and is a graduate of Colo-Nesco High School. The Wartburg graduate served stints as a teacher and coach at Williamsburg, Mason City and Ankeny High School. In 2017, he became the second director of the Iowa Hall of Pride, where he was the lead fundraiser while developing student leadership programs and producing the Hall of Pride's weekly YouTube show "Why Iowa?" Taylor and his wife, Holly, reside in Ankeny with their three children.

    Departments: Marketing, social media, sponsorships, branding & licensing

  • Madison Melchert

    Madison Melchert

    Assistant Director

    Madison is a native of Grimes, IA and a graduate of Dallas Center-Grimes High School. Madison received her bachelors degree in sports and recreation management at the University of Iowa where she also competed on the track and field/cross country team. Madison served as the assistant/JH AD at Dallas Center-Grimes CSD for 3 years. She currently is the senior Junior High director of the IHSADA. Madison and her husband Michael reside in Grimes with their two children.

    Departments: Bowling, Cross Country, Track and Field

  • Ben Van Wyk

    Ben Van Wyk

    Assistant Director

    Ben, a native of Grinnell and a graduate of Pella Christian High, is the sport administrator for golf and volleyball. Ben coordinates the IGHSAU's championship venues, manages the IGHSAU awards program and assists with officiating. Ben served as the Dean of Students and Activities Director at Ogden from 2016-2022. He also served as a graduate assistant for the Dordt University men's basketball program and the middle school activities director at Pella Christian. Ben and his wife, Bailey, reside in Pella with their two children.

    Departments: Volleyball, Golf, Awards, Venue Coordinator, Dragonfly

  • Matt Homonoff

    Matt Homonoff

    General Manager

    Departments: Corporate Sponsorships

  • Heidi Reed

    Heidi Reed

    Program & Art Coordinator

    Heidi Reed has been at the IGHSAU since 1984. She manages artwork, publications and media assets for the organization. Reed is a native of Danbury.

    Departments: Photographs, Publications and Video/Films

  • Kiersten Schneider

    Kiersten Schneider

    Business Manager

  • Elise Boulton

    Elise Boulton

    Officials Liaison

  • Jim Albertson

    Jim Albertson

    Soccer Officials Liaison

  • Chuck Brittain

    Chuck Brittain

    Basketball Officials Liaison

  • Pam Wymer

    Pam Wymer

    Receptionist/Speech Assistant

  • Bruce Ennen

    Bruce Ennen

    Wrestling Officials Coordinator

    Departments: Coordinator of Wrestling Officials

  • Cathy Creighton

    Cathy Creighton

    Softball Officials Liaison

  • Deb Richarz

    Deb Richarz

    Volleyball Officials Liaison