AIM’s Leadership Council
Brenda Arthur-Miller, West Liberty Community School District
Tyler Baars, UnityPoint Trinity Muscatine
Clint Christopher, Muscatine Community School District
Dr. Naomi DeWinter, Muscatine Community College
Rich Dwyer, Kent Corporation
Leslie Eichelberger, HNI
Robert Fiedler, Musser Public Library
Heidi Hoffman, ISU Extension and Outreach Muscatine County
Rebecca Paulsen, GMCCI
Bret Olson, Muscatine Community YMCA
Shane Orr, United Way of Muscatine
Erick Recinos, UnityPoint Health-Trinity
Nicholas Salazar, State Director, League of United Latin American Citizens of Iowa
Charla Schafer, Community Foundation of Greater Muscatine
Danni Zumwalt, Flickinger Learning Center
AIM Staff
Kim Warren, AIM Director
What is your background? I grew up in Rockford, IL and attended Loras College for my Bachelors Degree in Sociology and Northern Illinois University for my Masters Degree in Public Administration. I’ve been working in local government and nonprofit jobs since I was 16 years old.
In my career I worked for the Rockford Park District and City of Geneva IL before moving to Muscatine. I started working at United of Muscatine doing marketing and fundraising in the summer of 2011 and transitioned into the role of AIM Director in 2016. I live in Muscatine with my husband, two children, and our dog.
What is the goofiest/oddest thing you have had to do in your role? I think that no matter what position you have in an organization, you always have to be willing to take the trash out. No one is too good to do any task. One day I noticed the hand soap dispenser in the breakroom was leaking into the cabinet under the sink. I decided to just take care of it before anyone else noticed. Next thing I knew I was on my hand and knees cleaning out the cabinet covered in soap. We all had a good laugh that day.
Favorite local place for takeout? This is a hard one. I can’t pick just one. If I am downtown then Avenue Subs, Guadalajara or Salvatores. If I am near Park Avenue then Yacky Shack or Osaka.
Where do you volunteer? Right now I am spending a lot of Saturday mornings volunteering with Public Health at vaccination PODS. I also volunteer at my church, Faith UCC, as a middle school Christian Education teacher.
One thing you’d like to learn? To speak Spanish and paint.
Favorite superhero/childhood toy: Transformers, Thunder Cats, Shera, and Heman.
“When I was little I wanted to grow up and be _______” An elementary school teacher.
Favorite music genre/movie/book: I love to read dystopian society books. My favorite series is Red Rising.
What is one thing you love that has nothing to do with work? Going to National Parks on vacation with my family.
What makes you excited to be a part of AIM? I can’t think of a more rewarding job than to work with all sectors of the community to improve outcomes for all students and families. I love living in Muscatine and raising my children here and am excited every day to have a job that I can help make an impact.
Mindy Hoon, Data Manager
What is your background? I grew up in Indianola, Iowa and came out to the Quad Cities to go to college at St. Ambrose University. I graduated with an Early Childhood Special Education Degree along with Early Childhood endorsement and a Psychology minor. I taught 7 years
of special education for Davenport Schools, then opened my own in-home childcare for 12 years, and finally taught 7 years of a Combination Early Childhood classroom for Durant Schools.
Favorite local place for takeout? Boonies, Underground Pizza, Salvatores
“When I was little I wanted to grow up and be _______” A Mom! I wanted 12 kids. But, in the real world, I was blessed with 3 of my own and hundreds that belong to other people.
Favorite music genre/movie/book: I enjoy most any genre of music, but I love to read mindless books. Books that I can read and not have to think about anything else going on.
What is one thing you love that has nothing to do with work? Camping and crafting
What makes you excited to be a part of AIM? I’m excited to be working with the amazing people here at AIM, but I am mostly excited that this job is making me step outside my comfort zone and learn new things.
Kaitlyn Wintermeyer, Early Childhood Facilitator
What is your background? I grew up in Southeast Iowa, got my Bachelor’s degree in Business and Spanish from Coe College, and later, my Master of Public Administration from Drake University. While my professional background has taken me everywhere
from public housing to banking, I’ve always found roles that allowed me to help families achieve the stability and self-sufficiency they need in order to reach their goals.
Favorite local place for takeout? You can’t beat a Mulberry Sub-in-a-Tub from Avenue Subs!
Where do you volunteer? I love to volunteer with my kids’ schools and sports programs.
One thing you’d like to learn? I hope to learn more about woodworking and home restoration in the next few years.
Favorite superhero/childhood toy: The scrap wood bin in my grandpa’s shop. My brother, sister, and I had free reign to use hand tools, paint, and wood glue to our hearts’ content to build all kinds of Barbie furniture and other treasures.
“When I was little I wanted to grow up and be _______” A mom. It seems like my career goals changed every week, but I always knew I’d be a mom.
Favorite music genre/movie/book: I’m always drawn to nonfiction and documentaries; I love learning new things about almost any topic. I also like reading fiction series with my kids; we recently started the Percy Jackson series.
What is one thing you love that has nothing to do with work? Growing my houseplant collection and daydreaming about my ideal garden.
What makes you excited to be a part of AIM? I love working as part of an impactful team and using data to guide change; AIM is a perfect fit to tie that approach in with my passion for improving outcomes for our youngest citizens!
Claudia Artola, Student Success Facilitator
What is your background? I graduated from the University of Iowa with my bachelor’s degree in social work. I moved to Muscatine in 2017 and went on to study at Muscatine Community College. I have worked as a program assistant for Iowa State University Extension and Outreach; I am also
currently working at Muscatine Community College as an academic advisor. I am very passionate about making a difference in the community and always excited to help if needed!
What is the goofiest/oddest thing you have had to do in your role?
Pet a ceramic cat for a tiktok.
Favorite local place for takeout?
Monica’s Taqueria, I love their fries!
Where do you volunteer?
I currently serve at the Iowa State University Extension Council as a member.
One thing you’d like to learn?
I would love to learn how to surf one day since I finally learned how to swim!
Favorite superhero/childhood toy:
Not really a superhero but I have been really into watching Harley Quinn shows recently.
“When I was little I wanted to grow up and be _______”
I wanted to be a pediatrician!
Favorite music genre/movie/book:
My current favorite movie is Everything Everywhere All At Once.
What is one thing you love that has nothing to do with work?
I love to act and watch musicals.
Allison Eagle, Office Coordinator
What is your background? I am from Muscatine and have lived here most of my life. I have always been in a customer service position and have enjoyed every minute. I started out long ago at Hy-vee and learned many positions there,
after that I worked for Bridgestone Bandag in their Emergency Road Service Call Center and from there I went to First National Bank. I spent the last 5 years working at a bank and learning new positions within that bank. Currently I am enrolled and taking classes at Muscatine Community College and I am working on my Associate in Applied Science Degree for Administrative Office Professional. When I am not at work or doing school work, I am usually outside with my husband and two children. We have many things that keep us busy, mostly sports, but one of our favorite past times is going fishing. We love to travel around to the different lakes in Iowa to check out the fishing and explore the area.
Favorite local place for takeout? We really enjoy El Allende.
“When I was little I wanted to grow up and be _______” When I was little I always thought that I would be a Vet or a Park Ranger.
Favorite music genre/movie/book: I listen to a lot of different music genres depending on the day but I find myself listening to mostly Country and Rock/Alternative Music. My favorite movie would have to be Sweet Home Alabama or The Holiday. I can watch either of them multiple times and they never get old.
What is one thing you love that has nothing to do with work? The thing I love the most is spending time with my husband and children.
What makes you excited to be a part of AIM? I am excited to be apart of AIM because it will give me a chance to learn how AIM works and what I can do to help.
Michele Rhoades, Communications Manager
What is your background? I grew up in Blue Grass and after high school I spent 10 years being a mom and following my husband’s Air Force career around. We settled back into the area and after all my kids were in school, I went back to school for my Bachelors in Accounting. I worked in a
shared accounting position at United Way of Muscatine, Senior Resources, and MCSA. I eventually was hired into the accounting, marketing, & resource development role at United Way and transitioned into marketing and communications for United Way and Aligned Impact Muscatine. My husband and I recently moved into the home I grew up in. We have 2 sons and a daughter, a future daughter-in-law, and a granddaughter.
Favorite local place for takeout? I love Port City Underground’s Pastizza!
Where do you volunteer? In the past, I have volunteered with the Athletic Boosters at my kid’s school Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Durant Community Chest.
“When I was little I wanted to grow up and be _______” A Kindergarten teacher
Favorite music genre/movie/book: I love a good scary movie.
What is one thing you love that has nothing to do with work? We love to camp and kayak. I’m also a big crafter. I sew, scrapbook, bead, macrame, and whatever else I feel the need to create!
What makes you excited to be a part of AIM? I’m really excited to dig deeper into learning more about what all AIM does. I have always had an overview of what AIM is, but behind the scenes, there’s a lot more to it!