Staff

Berger was named the fifth IGHSAU executive director in 2016. Prior to joining the staff, she was the associate athletic director at the University of Northern Iowa from 2008 to 2016, serving as the direct supervisor for five Panther sports: women's basketball, softball, tennis, soccer and volleyball. She also oversaw academic services and athletic training while monitoring Northern Iowa's gender equity plans. Berger also served 17 years at Drake University in a variety of roles, including senior women's athletics administrator, assistant athletic director for internal affairs and associate athletic director. Nationally, Berger was the Missouri Valley Conference representative to the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Issue Committee and served on the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Committee. She served a term on the NCAA Division I Women's Volleyball Committee in 2012. Berger also served in the sports information office at Wichita State and was the sports information director at Wayne State from 1985 to 1990. A Winterset native, Berger is a graduate of the University of Iowa, earning a bachelor's degree in journalism with a master's degree in physical education and sports studies.

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.

Erin Gerlich is a native of Panora and is a graduate of Panorama High School. Erin is a graduate of Iowa State University and earned her masters at Oklahoma State. Erin was the activities director at Panorama High School from 2013 through 2021. Erin is a member of the Iowa Athletic Directors Association Executive Board and is the past president of the organization. Erin and her daughter Avery reside at Lake Panorama.

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.

Sherry Tegtmeier serves as the business manager for the IGHSAU. She manages a number of key duties for the organization, including working with the officials on rSchoolToday and managing academic awards for female athletes in Iowa. Tegtmeier is a native of Carlisle.