Leadership Team

Community leaders, as well as the school district, fully support the Wood River Child Development Center initiative.  The child care task force has had upwards of 50 people involved in various capacities, led by the following:

Sara Arnett, Compliance Officer, Heritage Bank & VP Heritage Insurance

  • BS Business Administration, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

  • Wood River Vision Board

  • Stick Creek Kids CDC Development Coordinator

  • Wood River Vision Housing Committee Chair

  • Wood River Vision Business Association Board

  • Wood River Vision Downtown Revitalization Committee

  • Celebrate Wood River Performing Arts Council Treasurer

  • Heartland Disaster Recovery Group Chair

  • Wood River Fitness Center Go Big Give 2018 Campaign Chair

  • Grand Island Area Habitat for Humanity 2018 Capital Campaign Co-Chair

  • Member of Sherwood Foundation Community Catalyst Leadership Group 2017-19

  • Wood River STEM Camp Committee

  • Wood River High School Booster Club Board

  • SkillsUSA Nebraska Contest Coordinator/Judge

  • Mother of three children ages 17-25.

Chelsie Doane, Physicians Assistant, Nebraska Heart Institute

  • PA-C, University of Nebraska-Medical Center

  • BS Human Biology, Chadron State University

  • Over 10 years with Nebraska Heart Institute

  • Wood River Elementary PTO President

  • Wood River After School Program Board

  • Past President of Nebraska Association of Physician Assistants

  • NAPA membership committee chair

  • Mother of four young children

Katie Gartner, Director of Health Information Management, Conifer Health Solutions/CHI Health St. Francis and Good Samaritan

  • MA in Management, Doane University

  • BS in Health Information Management, College of Saint Mary Omaha

  • Over 10 years in healthcare

  • Member of various church groups and the Nebraska Health Information Management Association

  • Mother of one active little boy

Dr. James Haley, Superintendent, Wood River Rural School District

  • Ed.D Education, University of Missouri

  • Ed.Spec., University of Central Missouri

  • MS in Educational Administration, Missouri State University

  • BA Elementary Education, Drury University

  • Over thirty years working in K-12 public education as a teacher, principal and superintendent in Missouri and Nebraska

  • Louplatte Conference President

  • Durham School Services National Advisory Board

  • Pearce Nominee for Missouri Superintendent of the Year

Myriah Leisher, Teacher/Media Specialist, YRTC-Geneva

  • Masters Candidate in Instructional Technology/Library Sciences, University of Nebraska-Kearney

  • BA in Social Studies, Juniata College, PA

  • BA in History Education, Sterling College, KS

  • Completed initial training in Child Care Licensing

  • Wood River Aquatic Center Manager

  • Former Wood River Schools After School Program Director

  • Mother of two young children

Elizabeth Troyer-Miller, Outreach Coordinator, Heartland Disaster Recovery Group, Conflict Specialist, Central Mediation Center

  • Masters in Negotiation and Dispute Resolution, Creighton University

  • B.A. Peace, Justice and Conflict Studies, Goshen College

  • Experienced mediator, facilitator and trainer (conflict skills)

  • Wood River Vision 2020 Board

  • Heartland Disaster Recovery Group Outreach Coordinator

  • Former substitute teacher at Head Start

  • Mother of three young children

Lindsay Buechler, Marketing Director, Central Nebraska Rehabilitation Services

  • MS in Family Science, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

  • Meadowlark Elementary PAC Committee Chair

  • Make A Wish Friends Council

  • Wood River Centennial Community Foundation Volunteer

  • Mother of one