archived information

Governing Board

REL Central's Governing Board comprises a diverse group of education leaders from each of the seven states in our region.

The Governing Board convenes three times a year to provide input on REL Central's projects and help to identify
high-priority needs in the region.

REL Central's Governing Board is led by
Chair Catherine Palmer of the
Wyoming Department of Education.

Katy Anthes, Commissioner of Education, Colorado Department of Education
Dan Jorgensen, Accountability and Research Manager, Colorado Department of Education
Caryn Gibson, Superintendent, Delta County School District 50J
Ken Haptonstall, Executive Director, Colorado River BOCES
Norm Alerta, Assessment and Evaluation Director, Cherry Creek School District

Randy Watson, Commissioner of Education, Kansas State Department of Education
Kelly Spurgeon, Analyst, Kansas State Department of Education
Brian Smith, Superintendent, Fredonia Unified School District

Margi Vandeven, Commissioner of Education, Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Paul Katnik, Assistant Commissioner, Office of Educator Quality, Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Tracy Hinds, Deputy Commissioner, Division of Learning Services, Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Jim Masters, Director, Educator Evaluation and Training, Missouri Department of Elementary & Secondary Education
John Downs, Superintendent, Hallsville R-VI School District
Wayne Stewart, Superintendent, Glenwood R-8 School District

Matt Blomstedt, Commissioner of Education, Nebraska Department of Education
David Hefley, Interim Information Systems Officer, Nebraska Department of Education
Zainab Rida, Equity Officer, Nebraska Department of Education

Kirsten Baesler, State Superintendent, North Dakota Department of Public Instruction
Laurie Matzke, Assistant Superintendent, North Dakota Department of Public Instruction
Andrew Jordan, Superintendent, Wilton Public Schools

Tiffany Sanderson, Secretary of Education, South Dakota Department of Education
Mary Stadick Smith, Deputy Secretary, South Dakota Department of Education
Joe Moran, Interim Director, Division of Data & Research, South Dakota Department of Education
Jennifer Lowery, Superintendent, Tea Area School District

Jillian Balow, Superintendent of Public Instruction, Wyoming Department of Education
Dicky Shanor, Chief of Staff, Wyoming Department of Education
Catherine Palmer, Assessment Supervisor, Wyoming Department of Education