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.

Craig Ihnen serves as the director for tennis at the IGHSAU and as the executive director for the Iowa High School Speech Association. At the IHSSA, he is responsible for the overall aspects of the IHSSA programs in debate, large group and individual events. He handles the judge certification programs, coaches convention and the All-State festivals for the IHSSA. Ihnen is a native of Sheldon and has been with the IGHSAU and IHSSA since 1994.

Erin Kirtley 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 current 1st vice president of the organization. Erin and her husband, Jason, reside in Panora with their three children.

Gary Ross joined the IGHSAU as an associate director in August 2017 to serve as the administrator for girls basketball, cross country and track & field. 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.

A graduate of Hubbard-Radcliffe High School in 1993, Brinkmeyer is the sport administrator for volleyball, golf and soccer. Brinkmeyer played in the final six-on-six Iowa State Basketball Championship, leading the Rebels to the 1993 state crown. She followed her successful prep career by playing women's basketball at Drake University. Brinkmeyer is in the IGHSAU Hall of Fame.

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, bowling, and swimming & diving programs.

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.

Deb Robbins joined the Iowa High School Speech Iowa High School Speech Association (IHSSA) in 2017 as an assistant. She also is the receptionist for the IHSSA and IGHSAU. Robbins is a native of Des Moines.

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.