Board & Staff
Avenue Scholars is guided and supported by a dedicated Board of Directors:
Board of Directors
Susie Buffett
Chairperson
Jeff Schmid
Director
Calvin Sisson
Director
Katie Weitz, Ph.D.
Director
Ken Bird, Ed.D.
CEO
Avenue Scholars staff are among the best youth-serving professionals in the country:
Staff Roster
Organizational & Program Administration
Ken Bird, Ed.D.
CEO
Lindsay Decker
President & COO
Lisa Sterba, Ed.D.
Sr. Director of Programs
Kris Valentin
Sr. Director of Human Resources & Administrative Services
Catie Dagle
Director of Information & Enrollment
Michael Johnson
Assistant Director of Programs
Sheree Haynie
Office & Staff Assistant
Kristy Preuss
Office & Staff Assistant
High School Team
Jose Almanza
Omaha South Career Coach
Vanessa Ballard
Omaha Northwest Career Coach
Terrence Gillian
Omaha Benson Career Coach
Kamina Lemons
Omaha Bryan Career Coach
Marquita Lambert
Millard South Career Coach
Beth Leach
Westside Career Coach
Lauren Linton
Papillion La Vista Career Coach
Marcus Manley
Millard North Career Coach
Tom Prescott
Ralston Career Coach
Jordyn Smith
Blair Career Coach
Fred Starks
Omaha North Career Coach
Postsecondary/Career Team
Tonya Fairgood
Department Head
Postsecondary Career Coach
Dan Corral
Postsecondary Career Coach
Steve Johnston
Postsecondary Career Coach
Tom Robertson
Postsecondary Career Coach
Canei Rodriquez
Postsecondary Career Coach
Anthony Tate
Postsecondary Career Coach
Business Outreach Team
Audrey Gustin
Department Head
Business Relations Manager
Meagan Botello
Career Awareness & Exploration Coordinator
Student Support Staff
Ashley Knott
Student Support Manager
Guadalupe Perez-Aguilar
Student Support Assistant
Avenue Shared Services
Mike Alvano
Vice President & Treasurer
CFO of Avenue Scholars
Penny Darnell
Accounting Manager
