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Board President:

Wendy Stokesbary, MA, CRC (Certified Rehabilitation Counselor)

Wendy is a native Cedar Rapidian who earned her Bachelor's degree from Cornell College in Mt. Vernon and her Master's degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Iowa. Wendy moved back to Cedar Rapids in 2003 after living in Colorado for over 10 years.  She has worked with people with a variety of disabilities in her 20 years in the rehabilitation field.  She has particularly enjoyed working with people with serious mental illness as a member of assertive community treatment teams in Cedar Rapids and Denver, Colorado.  Currently, she is Coordinator of Community Life at REACH, a University of Iowa collegiate program for young adults with cognitive and learning disabilities.  Wendy joined the NAMI Linn County Board in 2007 and was elected Board President in January 2009.  Her involvement in NAMI has furthered one of her passions: advocacy to promote inclusion and recovery for people with psychiatric illness.  Her goals as President are to continue to build recognition of NAMI Linn County in the community and to make NAMI supports more accessible to those in need.  When she is not wrapped up in work with REACH or NAMI, she loves to ride her bike, cross country ski, and take walks with her dog, husband, and 12 year old daughter.

Board Vice-President:

Kathy Johnson

Kathy grew up in Des Moines, but has also lived in Laredo (TX), Cedar Falls, and Williamsburg.  She has lived in Cedar Rapids for the past 19 years.  Kathy earned Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Psychology from the University of Northern Iowa.  She has been employed for the past 22 years at the Abbe Center for Community Mental Health, where she is the Coordinator of CMI Services.  She oversees 8 specialty programs specifically for individuals with severe and persistent mental illness.  These programs include PACT, Transitional Living, Adult Day Treatment, Life Skills, Community Support, Intensive Psychiatric Rehabilitation, Peer Support, and 4 Recovery Centers in Linn, Jones and Benton Counties. Kathy has been married for 27 years to Michael Johnson, who has been Associate Principal at Washington High School for 19 years. Kathy and Michael have 3 children, ages 23, 21 and 19. In her free time, Kathy enjoys scrapbooking, reading, and taking her dog for long walks. Kathy served as Vice-President of NAMI Linn County in the 90's. She re-joined the Board in 2008, and began serving as Vice-President again in 2009. When asked why she is a NAMI Board Member, she states, "I believe in NAMI's mission.  Mental illness is something that touches ALL families, including my own.  As such, I believe it is important to provide education and support to individuals, families, and the community.  There is hope.  And it is easier to find that hope if we look for it together!" In addition to serving on the NAMI Linn County Board, Kathy also serves as a Youth Leader at her church and volunteers on a local Disaster Response Team. She was also named Community Support Person of the Year in 1997 by the Community Mental Health Centers Association of Iowa.

Board Treasurer:

Shelly Kramer, RNC

Shelly was born in El Paso, Texas, but has lived most of her life in the Cedar Rapids area. She attended Iowa State University for 2 years before transferring to the (now extinct) St. Luke's School of Nursing.  Shelly is certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center in Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing. She is employed as Program Manager for Partial Hospitalization and Behavioral Health Home Care at St. Luke's Hospital. Shelly is married with two grown children, and loves to travel, boat, and spend time on the water.  She is also a Cubs and Hawkeyes fan. Shelly joined the NAMI Linn County Board in November 2001 because of her work as a nurse and caregiver for those with mentally illness, and has served many years as Board Treasurer.  She has also been Board President. In addition to NAMI Linn County, Shelly also serves as the "Welcome Shepard" at her church, is a member of the Department of Correctional Services Community Accountability Board, and serves as the back-up NAMI representative for the Linn County Continuum of Care Planning & Policy Council.

Amy Jackson, LISW, LPHA

Amy was born and raised in Cedar Rapids. She has worked and attended school in Indianola, Iowa City, and Davenport, Iowa, as well as Lexington and Louisville, Kentucky. Amy earned a Bachelor's degree (with a major in psychology and sociology) from the University of Iowa, and a Master's of Social Work from the University of Kentucky. Amy is employed as Children's Services Team Leader at Abbe Center for Community Mental Health.  She works as a children’s therapist (mainly in the Cedar Rapids School District) and holds managerial duties for a variety of Abbe's children's services. Amy and her husband have 5 children: 4 girls and 1 boy, ages 1 to 19. In her free time, Amy is a soccer, football, wrestling, and dance mom. For the past 8 years Amy and her husband have served as foster parents, but have recently decided to end that chapter in their family’s life.  Amy joined the NAMI Linn County Board in February 2009. As a Board Member, she hopes to contribute knowledge and expertise of children's mental health issues, learn more about local support and services, and serve as a resource to the many families whom she has the privilege of working with. In addition to the NAMI Linn County Board, Amy will also be joining the Linn County Empowerment Board.

Jackie Smith Duggan, BASW

Jackie is originally from Delhi, Iowa. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Work from Mount Mercy College. Jackie is returning to college in the fall to receive her Master's Degree in Social Work. She is employed as the Director of Social Services at the Abbe Center for Community Care.  This is a residential care facility for adults with mental health and developmental disabilities.  Though it is a long term care facility, the focus is on education, managing symptoms of illness, and assisting individuals in returning to the community.  In her free time, Jackie enjoys scrapbooking, card making, reading, and spending time with family, including her husband Michael. She joined the NAMI Linn County Board in May 2009.  As a Board Member, she hopes to help defy the stigma and misunderstandings that those with mental health issues face. She believes that those who live with a mental health diagnosis are no different than those who are faced with major medical concerns. The faces and stories are different, but the needs, care, and desire to be understood and appreciated are the same. In addition to NAMI Linn County, Jackie also volunteers her time with the Community Health Free Medical Clinic. 

Steve Miller

Steve was born and raised in Iowa, and earned an Associate's degree from Kirkwood Community College. He has also taken courses at the University of Iowa.  He is employed as a NAMI Connections Support Group Model National Trainer, and travels extensively across the United States training prospective facilitators and modeling the NAMI mission. Steve is also a NAMI-Iowa Peer-to-Peer Director & Class Mentor. From 1998-2000 he was NAMI Linn County President, from 2001-2004 he was on the NAMI National Board of Directors, and from 2002-2005 he was Vice-President of NAMI Iowa.  He has also held numerous NAMI consumer-related offices over the years, including National Consumer Council Director and Vice-Chairperson of the National Consumer Council Executive Committee.  In addition to being a long-time NAMI Linn County Board Member, Steve also serves on the Iowa State PACT Advisory Council, the Mental Health Planning Council, the Dual Diagnosis Committee, and is a  Mental Health & Developmental Disabilities Board Member.  He is a well-known lecturer, educator, and mental health advocate.  He has participated in numerous speaking engagements at colleges and conferences across the country, and is often a featured source/spokesperson discussing mental health issues and NAMI's mission in various newspaper articles and media presentations.

Mark Smith

Mark Smith was born and raised in Manchester, Iowa.  After graduating from high school he attended Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice.  While attending college he helped develop Loras' first Criminal Justice Club and was student body Vice President.  After graduating from Loras Mark relocated to Milwaukee, Wisconsin where he worked with inner city youth who were involved in the criminal justice system.  Mark returned to Iowa in 2003.  Upon his return he was offered a position in the Transitional Living Program at the Abbe Center for Community Mental Heath.   While working with people diagnosed with chronic mental illness, Mark truly experienced the value of supporting and advocating for individuals in an effort to help them reach their goals.  In 2004 Mark began working part-time for the Department of Correctional Services as a Pretrial Interviewer, and was hired as a full-time Probation/Parole Officer with the Intake Unit in 2008.  In this position, Mark conducts assessments and provides referrals in an effort to ensure that probationers and parolees experience successful re-entry into the community.  In his free time, Mark and his wife Jamie ride bicycles, travel, or spend time with friends, family, and their dog Macy.  Mark joined the NAMI Linn County Board in January 2008.  As a Board Member, he is excited to help de-stigmatize mental illness in the community and empower people in a time of need.

John Brobst

John was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he has lived most of his life.  He has an Associate's degree in Disability Services from Kirkwood Community College, and is currently a senior at UNI and a junior at Faith Baptist Bible College.  John has lived with Bipolar Schizoaffective Disorder for 30 years, and also has a sister with Bipolar Disorder and a sister with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and depression.  All three are far along in the process of recovery.  John and his sister Cindy enjoy providing hope to others on the journey by publicly sharing their story.  John also spreads hope and a message of recovery through his songs and poetry.  Much of his work can be found on his website (www.johnthepoet.org).  John is employed by Options of Linn County where he works one-on-one with a man who has muscular dystrophy.  John is also active in his church, and volunteers monthly at the Abbe County Home leading church services.  He gains fulfillment helping others with disabilities, and was once named Consumer of the Year by Options of Linn County.  In his free time, John enjoys working out at the gym.  John has been a NAMI Linn County Board Member for four years.  He enjoys sharing the consumer perspective with other Board Members.

deHaven Rosel

deHaven Rosel has lived in the Cedar Rapids most of his life.  He graduated from Alburnett High School and Carlson College of Massage Therapy, and took some courses at Kirkwood Community College.  He had just begun a practice at New Life Fitness World when he began to have auditory hallucinations associated with schizophrenia.  He eventually became involved with Abbe Community Mental Health Center’s Pact Team which helped him to stay on his medication; he considers them to be his guardian angels.  deHaven believes he realized his potential when he became involved with the Iowa Peer Support Training Academy at Coe College.  After graduating from this academy, he became a peer support specialist at Abbe and at D.R.E.A.M.S., Inc., a local recovery center.  deHaven joined the NAMI Linn County Board in February 2008.  In addition to the NAMI Board, deHaven is Secretary for the D.R.E.A.M.S. Board.  In his free time, deHaven enjoys hanging out with his friends and reading books.

Kathleen Allen

Kathy Allen was born and raised in Cedar Rapids.  She attended Cedar Rapids Business College, Hamilton College, and Marshalltown Junior College.  She runs and operates
her own family business in Cedar Rapids.  Kathy has been a NAMI member since 1996, and has previously served as Board Secretary.  She is an advocate for her son, who was diagnosed with schizophrenia after he graduated from UNI with a degree in Information Management Systems.

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