2022-2023 Nebraska
District Leadership

To contact any district officer, please send an email to Nebraska Governor Carla Gries: dcgries@cox.net

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Governor Carla Gries
Secretary Betty Totten
Treasurer Paul Keller
Governor-Elect Wendy Townley
Immediate Past Governor Cynthia “Cindy” Von Fange
Past Governor Sandra Allen
JOI Governors Nishyia Ponniah
Zone 1 Lieutenant Governor Shelly Witt
Zone 2 Lieutenant Governor David Thelen
Zone 3 Lieutenant Governor Diana Kinkaid
Zone 4 Lieutenant Governor Judith Conway Kluge
Zone 5 Lieutenant Governors Linda Leatherman and Kailen Kluge
Zone 6 Lieutenant Governor Ivan Wineglass
Zone 7 Lieutenant Governor Andrew Galvin

DISTRICT FOUNDATION REPRESENTATIVE Les Dome

COMMUNICATION/MARKETING
District Directory Carla Gries and Wendy Townley
District Newsletter Sharon Flinn
Social Media Amber Nore
Website Wendy Townley
Zoom Coordinator Open

ACTIVITIES
CCDHH Mark Claussen and Hailey Mills
Optimist International Essay Contest Jeffrey Sears
Optimist International Oratorical Contest Gloria Epps
Optimist International Junior Golf Dick Raasch and Kerianne Kluge
Tri-Star Sports Bob Gundman
Childhood Health and Wellness Kristin Minert and Crystal Masters
Nebraska Academic Decathlon Vicki Deniston Reed

CONFERENCE AND CONVENTION
Chair Carla Gries
Coordinator Ardis Moody
Chaplain Bob Karcher
Credentials Kailen Kluge, Betty Totten, and Paul Keller
Hospitality Kailen Kluge
International Convention Ambassador Cynthia “Cindy” Von Fange
Leadership Development Wendy Townley, Cyrel Kritikos, Bruce Jordan
Parliamentarian Sandra Allen
Registrar Kailen Kluge
Sergeant at Arms Open

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
Chair Wendy Townley
Chyrel Kritikos and Bruce Jordan
Personal Growth and Involvement (PGI)/Professional Development Program (PDP) Cynthia “Cindy” Von Fange
Optimist of the Year Betty Totten + 2

GROWTH
Club Building Beryle Lantz
International Growth Marvin Wastell
Membership Ivan Wineglass and Bruce Jordan
Achievement and Awards Judith Winkler
Club Fitness Linda Wheeler

JOI CO-CHAIRS
Mark Claussen and Hailey Mills

OPTIMIST CLUB OF THE YEAR
3 committee positions open

STANDING COMMITTEES
Audit and Finance
Chair Paul Keller
Carla Gries, Wendy Townley, Curt Huston, and Merwyn Pearson

Candidate Qualifications
Chair Cynthia “Cindy” Von Fange
Sandra Allen + 3 past governors

Policy Review
Chair Paul Keller
Carla Gries, Cynthia “Cindy” Von Fange, Al Penner, Sandra Allen, and Karen Keller

Strategic Planning
Open

Zone Alignment
Chair Wendy Townley
Carla Gries, Cynthia “Cindy” Von Fange, Linda Leatherman
Club President: Open

Marisa Hattab presentation