West Central Minnesota Communities Action, Inc Staff
Left to Right (Front Row) Becky Belmont, Kate Ouverson, Heather Thormodson, Stephen Nagle
(Back Row) Missy Becker-Cook, Val Arnquist, Carol Boyer, John Pritschet
Energy/Weatherization
Family Self-Sufficiency
Fiscal
Head Start
Housing Programs
Human Resources
Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP)
Stephen Nagle, Executive Director
Steve is the Executive Director of West Central Minnesota Community Action, Inc. He has served WCMCA since 1998, but has worked in the Community Action network for over 25 years beginning as an outreach worker. As Executive Director, Steve directly supervises the project managers and represents the agency to governmental units and funding sources and reports directly to the WCMCA Board of Directors.
Steve is past chair of the Minnesota Community Action Association and is active in statewide initiatives. He has been active in housing efforts and has worked closely with Habitat for Humanity.
Steve graduated from Mankato State University in 1974 with a teaching degree, and from Moorhead State University in 1990 with a Masters Degree in Public and Human Service Administration.
Phone: 1-218-685-4486, Ext. 117
Toll Free: 1-800-492-4805
Direct Line: 1-218-685-6174
E-Mail: stephenn@wcmca.org
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Valerie Arnquist, Head Start Director
Responsible for managing the Head Start Program that is a comprehensive child development program designed for young children and their families in the areas of health, nutrition, social service, parent involvement, and education. The program is designed to serve low-income children and their families. Some children with special needs may be enrolled regardless of income.
Phone: 1-218-685-4486, Ext. 109
Direct Line: 1-218-685-6177
E-Mail: vala@wcmca.org
Head Start main office staff can be reached as follows:
- Mary Rolf, HS Supervisor, Ext. 123, Direct Dial 1-218-685-6188
- Marilyn Leraas, HS Supervisor, Ext. 105, Direct Dial 1-218-685-6179
- Deb Henry, HS Supervisor, Ext. 126, Direct Dial 1-218-685-6186
- Connie Bye, HS Health Coordinator, Ext. 125, Direct Dial 1-218-685-6187
- Stephanie Walker, HS Systems Specialist, Ext. 149, Direct Dial 1-218-685-6192
- Bonnie Fabian, HS Program Assistant, Ext. 102
- Julie Dahlen, HS Program Assistant, Ext. 127
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Becky Belmont, Energy/Weatherization Director
Responsible for the Energy Assistance, Energy Related Repair, Crisis, Home Weatherization, and Otter Tail Power and Reliant Energy Conservation Improvement Programs (CIPs). These programs assist low-income households with financial help to pay energy costs, provide heating related repairs for emergencies, and provide one-time weatherization grants to reduce home heating costs.
Phone: 1-218-685-4486, Ext. 104
Direct Line: 1-218-685-6171
E-Mail: beckyb@wcmca.org
Energy/Weatherization staff can be reached as follows:
- Diane Bender, EAP Intake, Ext. 148
- Dwaine Haraldson, EAP Intake, Ext. 121
- Barb Keep, EAP Intake, Ext. 111
- Joni Gilbertson, EAP Intake, Ext. 114
- Janet Koep, EAP Intake, Ext.139
- Roger Toso, EAP Intake, Ext. 138
- Colleen Shores, EAP Intake, Ext. 106
- Linda Rupp, EAP Intake, Ext. 156
- Cari Ripley, EAP Administrative Assistant, Ext. 122
- Jennifer Elletson, EAP Supervisor, Moorhead Office 218/299-7846
- Mandy Braaten, Housing Assistant Supervisor, Ext. 118, Direct Dial 1-218-685-6182
- LaShanda Klimek, EAP/WX Program Assistant, Ext.119
- Randy Hansen, Lead Housing Auditor, Ext. 153, Direct Dial 1-218-685-6185
- Jerry Talsness, Housing Auditor, Ext. 152, Direct Dial 1-218-685-6193
- John Eggert, Housing Auditor, Ext. 134
- Joe Niehaus, Housing Auditor, Ext. 124
Weatherization Contractors and Weatherization Staff who completed 800+ homes last year.
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Carol Boyer, Fiscal Director
Responsible for all the financial activities of the Agency. The Fiscal Department receives and pays all invoices, oversees the purchase of equipment and supplies, undergoes an independent annual audit, prepares policy and procedure manuals, and manages the various funds used by the Agency to conduct its business.
Phone: 1-218-685-4486, Ext. 110
Direct Line: 1-218-685-6178
E-Mail: carolb@wcmca.org
Fiscal staff can be reached as follows:
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Missy Becker-Cook, Human Resource Director
Responsible for the hiring, training, and terminating of Agency personnel. Missy is also responsible for the Employee handbook, Affirmative Action, equal opportunity plans and is the Agency Safety Officer. She is also responsible for all Agency benefit administration for employees and orientation of all new employees. She is the liaison to the Personnel Committee of the Board of Directors.
Phone: 1-218-685-4486, Ext. 112
Direct Line: 1-218-685-6173
E-Mail: missyb@wcmca.org
Administrative staff can be reached as follows:
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Kate Ouverson, Family Self-Sufficiency Director
Kate manages the Family Assets for Independence in Minnesota Program in which individuals save money for home purchase, small business, or post-secondary education, with matched at a rate of three to one; the Family Loan Program designed to assist families achieve self-sufficiency through grant installment loans in partnership with McKnight Foundation which focuses on employment, continuing education, and transportation requirements; the Foreclosure Prevention Assistance Program which is mortgage foreclosure assistance; FEMA, and Transitional Housing Program to assist people in moving from homelessness to permanent housing.
Phone: 1-218-685-4486, Ext. 133
Direct Line: 1-218-685-6194
E-Mail: kateo@wcmca.org
Family Self-Sufficiency staff can be reached as follows:
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Heather Thormodson, Volunteer Coordinator
Heather is responsible for offering people over age 55 meaningful volunteer opportunities at non-profit organizations to enrich the lives of the seniors who volunteer and to help better the communities in which they serve. Heather will also be involved in the Group Cares Camp project that WCMCA hosts, as well as the Earned Income Tax Clinics.
Phone: 1-218-685-4486
E-Mail: heathert@wcmca.org
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John Pritschet, Housing Rehab Programs Manager
The MURL program sells homes to first-time home-buyers who are income-eligible and are unable to secure traditional mortgage financing. MHFA Rehabilitation Program is available in Clay, Pope, Traverse, and Wilkin Counties and can finance repairs to existing owner-occupied single-family houses up to $15,000. *The Small Cities Program rehabilitates owner-occupied housing. John is also licensed as a Lead Risk Assessor for the area and tests for lead using an XRF machine, dust, and soil samples.
*NOTE: We are hopeful that the Ashby and Wendell Small Cities Project will be approved this spring but it is not a confirmed project.
Phone: 1-218-685-4486, Ext. 113
Toll Free: 1-800-492-4805
Direct Line: 1-218-685-6181
E-Mail: johnp@wcmca.org
Housing Program staff can be reached as follows:
- Stacy Hager, Housing Assistant, Ext. 103, Direct Dial 1-218-685-6184
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