BOARD MEMBERS
United Way of Wells County elects board members to direct the mission of the organization. These board members are taken from a broad spectrum of sectors and demographics.
Carolyn Bertsch, Secretary
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Carolyn Bertsch is currently serving her second term as Wells County Recorder. A graduate of Indiana University with a B.S. in Business, she is a staunch advocate of early childhood education. An early reader, she credits her mother with taking the time to teach her to read by the age of 4. She is the mother of adult children and is married to Jeff Bertsch.
Tamra Boucher
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Tamra is a business professional with a passion for developing leaders and teams. As a volunteer, Tamra has a great deal of experience in the non-profit world as a Board Member, fundraiser, event volunteer, and officer in many service and non-profit organizations. She has held leadership positions in The United Way of Wells County, Wells County Women United, Wells County Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development, Wells County Economic Development Council, Markle Town Council, and was a founding member of the Wells County Leadership Academy. Throughout her career – which spans more decades than she cares to admit – she has worked in the insurance service industry, healthcare, and manufacturing. Tamra’s business experience includes culture development and leadership, strategic planning, community relations, marketing, human resources, and physician practice management. She is a graduate of Ball State University where she studied Public Relations and Political Science. A native Hoosier, Tamra and her husband of 35+ years reside in Markle.
Jessica Bricker
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Jessica Bricker is the communication specialist for Bluffton-Harrison Metropolitan School District. She earned her bachelor of arts in journalism from Indiana University in 2013 with distinction and with minors in history and political science. In addition to the United Way, Jessica is active on the boards of the Wells County Foundation and the Wells County Historical Society, and as a volunteer with the Wells County Leadership Academy. She and her young son Finn live in Bluffton and enjoy spending time at the local parks and the public library.
Doug Brown
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Doug Brown is the President and Publisher of the News-Banner in Bluffton. Prior to his current position, Doug was the Publisher of The Post & Mail in Columbia City and later served as the Executive Director of the Whitley County Chamber of Commerce. He is a graduate of IPFW. In addition to his service with the United Way, he is involved with the Bluffton Rotary Club, Bluffton NOW!, Wells County Leadership Academy and the Wells County Chamber of Commerce. Doug and his wife Larisa have two children, Chandler and Seth.
Justin Moen, Vice Chair
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Justin Moen was born and raised in western Minnesota, and resided in South Dakota and Iowa before making his most recent move to Bluffton Indiana. Justin has been working the in renewable fuels business for 20 years and is currently the Plant Manager for Valero Renewables Fuels in Bluffton Indiana. Justin and his Wife Chelsea have a baby girl (June) and two dogs (Rory and Kya) that make up their home in Bluffton. In his free time Justin enjoys golfing, hunting, and being outdoors.
Patty Randall, Treasurer
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Patty Randall is currently the Assistant Vice President of Deposit Operations with ProFed Credit Union. She has 25 years of experience working in financial institutions. She is a lifetime resident of Wells County. In addition to her service with the United Way of Wells County, she is also actively involved with the Wells County Chamber of Commerce. Patty and her husband have one son.
Jeslynn Smith
Board Chair
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Jeslynn began her legal career in 2003 as a legal assistant while attending International Business College in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Jeslynn worked as a paralegal while attending law school at Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Michigan. In May 2013, Jeslynn was admitted to practice law in Indiana and continued to serve clients as an attorney until her move to Koler Law Office in August 2019. Jeslynn brings to Koler Law Office her nine years of practice devoted to Elder Law, Estate Planning and Administration and Guardianships. Jeslynn is a long-time native of Wells County, Indiana. Jeslynn and her husband, Wesley, are the proud parents of their German Shepherd, Mya, and their cat, Colonel. She is passionate about spending time with family and friends. In her free time, Jeslynn likes to teach Dance2Fit, go camping, fishing, enjoys listening to music, and going to concerts.
Phil Swain
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Cari Whicker
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Cari Whicker is currently the Principal of Southern Wells Elementary School. She graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education. She also received her Masters of Education in 2013 in Learning and Technology and her certification in Educational Leadership from Western Governors University. Whicker, who has 20 years of teaching experience, is a member of the Indiana State Teachers Association (ISTA) and the Indiana Association of School Principals (IASP). She previously served as a board member for the Teacher Retirement Fund Board of Trustees/PERF/INPRS. Whicker was appointed to the State Board of Education by Governor Mitch Daniels in April of 2012 and was reappointed by Governor Mike Pence. She and her husband, Seth Whicker, have three children.
Alan Winterrowd
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Alan Winterrowd has worked in the IT department of Bluffton Regional Medical Center for 40 years. He studied Computer Science at the University of Evansville and IPFW. In the past he has been Treasurer of Southern Wells Music Boosters. Alan and Jill have two children, Sarina and Sean.