The Channel

Nicole Lovik-Blaser represents District 1. Nicole was inspired to join our board after seeing firsthand how instrumental AEAs are for school districts. With a career split between non-profit work and business, she balances a deep understanding of fiscal responsibility with a firm belief that every decision must be made with kindness, empathy and humans in mind.

When she isn’t advocating for our schools, Nicole spends most of her time cheering on her children at basketball games, reading or traveling in the family RV. She is an avid traveler with a goal of visiting every National Park in her lifetime.

Nicole is a vocal advocate for the support families receive for children younger than school age and the vital services provided to our rural districts. Her hope is to leave a legacy of perseverance, ensuring Central Rivers AEA remains a strong, impactful agency that helps every educator and family feel fully supported.

Dr. Deb Rich represents District 2 and serves as the Board President. Dr. Rich brings over 40 years of expertise as a professional educator to our board. Her distinguished career spans from the classroom to higher education, most recently serving as Assistant Director of the Comprehensive Literacy Center of Saint Mary’s College of California. A national Reading Recovery and Literacy Coach trainer and a published expert in her field, Deb’s professional journey has always been rooted in the belief that a strong foundation of literacy is key to student success.

A fierce advocate for public education, Deb is a powerful voice for the vital role Area Education Agencies play in Iowa’s schools. She is dedicated to ensuring that every educator and student has access to the high-quality resources they need to thrive.

When she steps away from her leadership duties, Deb’s “teacher heart” stays busy with her grandchildren, who are her greatest joy. You might also find her getting her hands dirty with a home improvement project or finding peace in nature.

Deb’s legacy is one of unwavering service and advocacy. We are grateful for her leadership, her wisdom, and her steadfast commitment to the children, families and educators of Central Rivers AEA.

Dr. Mary Stevens represents District 3 and is Vice President. Mary’s journey with Central Rivers AEA spans many years, having served as a school psychologist, special education supervisor and Director of Special Education. Her professional life has always been guided by a commitment to creating equitable educational experiences that help every student achieve at high levels – a mission she continues to champion in her leadership role on the board.

When she isn’t advocating for students and staff, Mary enjoys reading, playing bridge and traveling. She is also an avid fisher, often heading to Canada to fish for walleye. While she has many goals, one of her more unique life ambitions is to finally find a morel mushroom while out exploring with her husband!

She believes the true “hidden gem” of the agency is the sheer quality and dedication of the AEA staff. She is constantly in awe of their innovation and the way they collaborate with local districts to improve lives. Her greatest hope is that Central Rivers AEA remains an integral partner in Iowa’s education system, ensuring our staff feels valued and has every resource necessary to positively impact children, families and educators.

Dr. Tony Reid represents District 4. Tony is a former elementary principal with a doctorate in curriculum who believes that well-run schools are the foundation of a community’s future. He uses his deep experience to help our agency manage the changes needed to improve education for all.

When he isn’t volunteering, Tony stays busy with the Cedar Falls Rough Risers Kiwanis, selling kettle corn to raise $30,000 annually for local kids. He also enjoys gardening, traveling, and spending time with his wife and their five grandchildren, who attend Cedar Falls schools.

His favorite “hidden gem” is AEA Purchasing, which saves districts thousands of dollars on supplies and equipment. As he looks toward the future, Tony hopes to leave a legacy where our board creates the perfect conditions for both teachers and children to thrive.

Dennis Craun Jr., represents District 5. Dennis joined the Central Rivers AEA board to give back after seeing the impact services had on his own children during their school years. Having navigated the “rollercoaster ride” of raising a child with additional challenges, he is driven by a deep desire to give every child the best chance possible to succeed.

When he isn’t advocating for students, Dennis spends his time with his girlfriend and pursues his lifelong passion for music. He has been singing with the Proud Image Chorus, a men’s acappella group, since high school and also lends his voice to contemporary services at his church.

He believes the true “hidden gem” of the AEA is the sense of hope it provides to families and educators when they feel frustrated or scared. His primary goal is to ensure that our staff members feel truly valued and appreciated, knowing that the board firmly has their back as they support our communities.

David Hill is the superintendent at W-SR CSD. David brings 30 years of experience as an educator, including 21 years as a school administrator right here within our service area. He is deeply committed to our mission of delivering high-quality, evidence-based services that meet the diverse needs of every learner, educator and school community.

When he isn’t serving our districts, David enjoys an active life in the Cedar Valley. You can often find him kayaking, bicycling on local trails or cheering on the ISU Cyclones. He also loves traveling to visit his sons in Montana, Minnesota and Iowa.

He highlights the AEA’s customized contracted service arrangements as a true “hidden gem.” From translation services to work-based learning, he encourages schools to reach out whenever they have a unique need that seems difficult to meet on their own. His hope is that every member of the community recognizes the immense value AEAs contribute toward making Iowa a wonderful place to live and learn.

Jenn Peter is the superintendent at Belmond-Klemme CSD. Jenn brings a unique perspective to our board, having served as a special education consultant, professional development consultant and regional administrator within the AEA system before becoming a school superintendent. She is a firm believer that “Together, we make a difference,” and she uses her combined experience to help the agency grow, evolve and effectively support our schools.

When she isn’t leading, Jenn’s favorite thing to do is spend time with her family. She has three adult children, Kyle, Sydney and Regan, and is a very proud grandmother to her granddaughter, Aria. In her quiet moments, she also enjoys reading and sewing.

Her greatest hope is to ensure that children, families and educators have the collaborative support they need to be successful. She is dedicated to strengthening the relationships between the AEA, our schools, and the families we serve to create a more unified educational community.

Dr. Cynthia Phillips is the superintendent at Independence CSD. As a local superintendent, Cynthia joined the board to support the vital work the AEA does for public education. She brings a valuable school-based perspective and lived experience to our discussions, ensuring that our decisions stay focused on the real-world impact for students, staff and families.

When she isn’t leading her district or volunteering with us, Cynthia loves spending time with family and friends. She is an outdoor enthusiast who enjoys traveling and can often be found in the stands at local athletic events.

She believes the AEA’s “hidden gem” is Early ACCESS, which provides essential support to families and young children to meet developmental needs early on. Her ultimate goal is to be a champion for high-quality education, ensuring that every student in every school district has the resources they need to succeed.

Dr. Theron Schutte is the superintendent at Marshalltown CSD. With a distinguished 41-year career in education, Theron has partnered with three different AEAs across Iowa. He brings an “all means all” mindset to our board, focusing on how decisions impact all districts collectively – whether they are rural, suburban or urban.

When he isn’t advocating for our schools, Theron’s world revolves around his five grandchildren. He stays busy keeping up with their many activities, from sports to dance. This personal connection to the next generation fuels his commitment to a thriving educational landscape.

He believes the true “hidden gem” of our agency is our people and the positive, productive relationships they build while supporting member schools. His goal is to ensure that Central Rivers AEA remains financially healthy and continues to hone the high-quality services our districts need most.