Leadership - FIRE Foundation

Board of Directors

Sara Ahlers, Algona

Board Member

Algona

Sara Ahlers lives in Algona with her husband and 4 children, Samuel, Hope, Hattie and Hannagan. Her husband teaches high school science at Bishop Garrigan and her youngest 3 children attend the school. Sara’s is passion for working with individuals with a variety of different needs began in high school, when she worked for the local supported community living organization. As an educator, has always strived to ensure that all of her students have access to the tools that they needed to be successful in both public and non-public school settings. As a Catholic, she thinks it is imperative that we strive for inclusion, which is how God calls us to live. God wants us to live and work together and help and learn from each other.

Jil Backes

Board Member

Waterloo

Jil is a proud wife and mother to three children. Jil enjoys traveling to cheer competitions with her two daughters and hockey tournaments with her son. She loves spending time with her family. Jil is a strong advocate for inclusion. Each of her children have disabilities and all three of them attend Bosco Catholic System. Catholic education is important to her and her husband. She serves on the FIRE Foundation of Northeast Iowa board to help support other families also desiring a Catholic education for all of their children regardless of their abilities.

Kim Grzywacz

Secretary

Ames

Kim Grzywacz began her professional career as an elementary education teacher. She had no intention of leaving at year 18, but when her husband asked her to join him in his charter bus company, she said yes. Networking within the tourism industry, Kim met one of the co-founders, Erin Schmitz. It was a natural fit to serve on this board, bringing sales and marketing knowledge with her educational background. Also at that time, the youngest child of Kim and John was a student at St. Cecilia School in Ames, IA. Her family is a member of St. Thomas Aquinas, where Kim gives of her time and talent as a lector. Kim has board seats with the American Bus Association, Iowa Travel Industry Partners (past chair), and PULSE Life Advocates (treasurer). Kim believes all students should have the opportunity to build on the foundation Catholic education provides and looks forward to assisting families and schools achieve this mission.

Christy Naughton

Board Member

Marshalltown

Christy Naughton is a Registered Nurse and mother of 3 daughters. Her youngest daughter, Ellie, has a genetic condition called CASK and as result has complex medical needs. She and her husband, Alan, are Iowa natives. She has been an RN for 25 years, 23 of those years, she cared for our country’s Veterans. She now provides nursing care for Ellie and works as a triage nurse on the weekends. Her family are members of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Marshalltown, she also serves on the St. Francis Catholic School board, where her children attend school. Christy is a strong advocate for inclusion, as result, Ellie is the first inclusion student at her school. She also holds a board seat on the Angelina CASK Neurological Research Foundation. She brings with her experience from these boards to uphold the mission of the Fire Foundation of NE Iowa and is honored to serve on this board.

Craig Reindl

Vice President

Mason City

Craig is a husband and father of two boys. An Iowa native, Craig has always had a kind heart, especially when it comes to children and their education. While living in Minnesota, he met his wife, Sarah, and two sons were born. Moving his family to Iowa, his eldest son was identified early in his education with needing extra help. While attending a Catholic elementary school presented a challenge to receiving this help, a new program was designed just in time for John to continue his Catholic education. That program has grown over the years to serve nearly 100 students in K-12 and provide families with an inclusive Catholic education for their special needs children.

Craig has been a FIRE Foundation of Northeast Iowa board member for eight years and counting.

Philip R. Drey, PhD

Board Member

Cedar Rapids

Phil Drey, Ph.D., is a husband and father of 2 sons. He and his wife Amanda are Iowa natives. He attended the University of Notre Dame, graduating with a BA in History, and Andrews University, receiving Masters and doctorate degrees in Biblical Archaeology and Languages. Phil has worked as an educator in the Archdiocese of Dubuque for more than 25 years. He previously taught Theology at Xavier High School in Cedar Rapids from 1999 to 2016. From there, he moved on to Mount Mercy University where he was an Associate Professor of Theology from 2016 to 2024. Phil currently serves as the Director of Catholicity for the Xavier Catholic Schools system in Cedar Rapids. Phil and his family are active members of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton parish in Hiawatha, IA.

Bruce Schmitz

President

Jesup

Bruce is a Senior Business Development Analyst for Co-op Solutions. Bruce is a husband, parent to three children, farmer, and co-founder of the FIRE Foundation of Northeast Iowa.

Erin Schmitz

Board Member

Jesup

As CEO of E&B Management and a co-founder of the FIRE Foundation of Northeast Iowa, Erin has over 20 years of meeting and event planning experience. In addition to being a Certified Meeting Professional and a Certified Travel Industry Specialist, Erin holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Northern Iowa.

Teresa Schmitz

Treasurer

Gilbertville

Is a mother, grandmother, and co-founder of the Fire Foundation of Northeast Iowa. Teresa has served on numerous boards either at her church, school or in agri-business. She has provided the finances need to fund the Foundation. She believes very strongly in Catholic education and helping to ensure it is available to all students.

Tara Schuckert

Board Member

Dubuque

I am a wife, mom of 3 children, farmer, medical assistant, a veteran of the Army National Guard 1997-2003, served in Operation Iraqi Freedom, a woman of faith, an advocate and board member of the Fire Foundation of NE Iowa since June 2025. We live near Dubuque, Iowa. I am thankful to be part of the board and look forward to working and assisting families to secure inclusive Catholic education for all.

Emily Wollak

Board Member

Charles City

As a Special Education Coordinator at Connections Academy, Emily Wollak brings strong expertise in special education advocacy and IEP development to the Fire Foundation of Northeast Iowa board. She is passionate about expanding inclusive opportunities in Catholic schools so that students with disabilities — including her son Leo, who has Down syndrome — can learn and worship alongside their peers.