Staff

Erin Gerlich became the sixth Executive Director of the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union in May of 2024. Gerlich served as associate director and sport administrator at the IGHSAU prior to assuming her Executive Director duties. She has served as the head of emerging sports and new projects, acted as a liaison for all sports medicine coordination and initiatives, and served as the sport administrator for wrestling and tennis. She has also led the IGHSAU Student Athletic Advisory Committee. Gerlich is credited for her instrumental role in introducing girls wrestling to the state of Iowa. Her dedication and achievements were recognized in 2023 when she was honored with the Charlotte Bailey Award from the Iowa Wrestling Coaches & Officials Association, as well as the AAU Wrestling Women’s Empowerment Award. She was also the Iowa High School Athletic Directors Association President from 2022-2023, being the first female to ever hold this position for the organization. Gerlich holds a master’s degree in health promotion from Oklahoma State University and previously served as the middle school and high school activities director in the Panorama Community School District. Erin and her daughter Avery reside at Lake Panorama.

Jason Eslinger joined the IGHSAU in 1997 after serving stints in the sports information offices at Central Connecticut State and Drake University. The Grundy Center native serves in a similar capacity at the IGHSAU and also directs the softball and swimming & diving programs. Jason and his wife, Becky, reside in Prairie City with their two sons.

Gary Ross joined the IGHSAU as an associate director in August 2017 to serve as the administrator for girls basketball, cross country and track and field. Currently, he oversees the sports of girls basketball and girls soccer. Previously, Ross served as the Johnston High School activities director for 22 years. Ross, a native of Fredericksburg, is a former president of the Iowa High School Athletic Directors Association and was named its Athletic Director of the Year in 2014.

Taylor Anderson hails from Zearing and is a graduate of Colo-Nesco High School. The Wartburg graduate served stints as a teacher and coach at Williamsburg, Mason City and Ankeny High School. In 2017, he became the second director of the Iowa Hall of Pride, where he was the lead fundraiser while developing student leadership programs and producing the Hall of Pride's weekly YouTube show "Why Iowa?" Taylor and his wife, Holly, reside in Ankeny with their three children.

Madison is a native of Grimes, IA and a graduate of Dallas Center-Grimes High School. Madison received her bachelors degree in sports and recreation management at the University of Iowa where she also competed on the track and field/cross country team. Madison served as the assistant/JH AD at Dallas Center-Grimes CSD for 3 years. She currently is the senior Junior High director of the IHSADA. Madison and her husband Michael reside in Grimes with their two children.

Ben, a native of Grinnell and a graduate of Pella Christian High, is the sport administrator for golf and volleyball. Ben coordinates the IGHSAU's championship venues, manages the IGHSAU awards program and assists with officiating. Ben served as the Dean of Students and Activities Director at Ogden from 2016-2022. He also served as a graduate assistant for the Dordt University men's basketball program and the middle school activities director at Pella Christian. Ben and his wife, Bailey, reside in Pella with their two children.

Heidi Reed has been at the IGHSAU since 1984. She manages artwork, publications and media assets for the organization. Reed is a native of Danbury.