Board Members
Chad manages and negotiates IT contracts for Transamerica and has a BA in Finance from Northern Iowa. He is a 1992 graduate of CR Jefferson and also attended Taft and Coolidge. His recent volunteer work includes the Board of Trustees at Lovely Lane Church, Hiawatha Elementary PTO co-treasurer and teaching an enrichment class on billiards at a local day care. Chad also stays busy coaching his daughters’ softball teams with the CR Flash and the Hiawatha Kids League.
“In 2007, Clint spoke at my church about the great things that they were doing for children in the Taylor Elementary neighborhood. I was moved by the opportunity to help in a community that was tied to my youth. I initially assisted with the planning and setup of their free computer lab and that is where it started. In September of 2008, Clint brought the concept of a giving circle to Brian and me, with the thought that our ties to the west side could make this happen. From this initial discussion came the idea of CR netWORK. I believe in this team and its pure intentions. My involvement in CR netWORK has me excited about our potential to make a difference.”
Sean Neilly (Vice-President)
Sean is a Social Studies teacher at Jefferson High School, joining the staff in 2000. He serves as Jefferson’s National Honor Society Faculty Advisor and as the assistant coach of the men’s tennis team. He is also an instructor in Social Studies Methods at Coe College.
Sean feels that “CR netWORK will be a great asset to the community. It is an organization I jumped to be a part of when Chad contacted me. I believe that coordinated action by a small but committed group can make a positive impact even in a large community. CR netWORK gives me a chance to give back to the neighborhoods I use to run around in as a child but also to the kids I see in my classroom.”
Tory Meiborg (Treasurer)
Tory is President and equity partner at World Trend Financial. He and his wife Kara have established the Maxwell Meiborg Foundation. This organization raises money to support the Make-a-Wish Foundation and the U of I Children’s Hospital.
Tory is enthusiastic about the potential of CR netWORK. “As a lifelong resident of Cedar Rapids, I have met a number of generous and talented people who care very deeply about the long-term well being of our community. By providing a mechanism to poll these resources, I believe CRnetWORK will be a positive influence on west side youth.”
Clint Twedt-Ball
Clint is the founder and Co-Director of the non-profit Matthew 25 Ministry Hub and a United Methodist pastor. Matthew 25 works in the Taylor and Time Check Neighborhoods to help empower children, youth and neighborhoods through mentoring programs, a Tool Library and creative community engagement.
Clint says of his involvement with CR netWORK, “I believe some of the most talented and gifted kids live in the flood-impacted neighborhoods on the west side of Cedar Rapids. I want to give all I can to help these kids break through any barriers that might get in the way of them striving towards their dreams. CR netWORK is a great way for people to come together and support west side kids.”
Courtney Ball
Courtney is Co-Director of the Matthew 25 Ministry Hub, which he founded with his brother Clint Twedt-Ball. Courtney and his family moved to the Time Check neighborhood in Cedar Rapids in 2006, and have grown to love the community here. When asked why he is involved in CR netWORK, Courtney says, “I really like the people I have met in my neighborhood and in the Taylor neighborhood where I work. I want to be a part of helping kids here flourish and contribute to their community. And honestly, I also just like hanging out with the other people in the group!”
Casey Boyles
Casey is an M.D. in family practice at Westside Family Medicine in Cedar Rapids. “I am a member of CR netWORK to further the potential of westside youth and take a position important in the lives of those who need it most. CR netWORK is an excellent engine to accomplish these goals.”
Brian Christoffersen
Brian has served as the principal of Taylor School for the past five years. He previously worked for Northside ISD in San Antonio, TX before returning to his childhood hometown in 2006 with his wife, Lory, and their two children.
When asked about his involvement in CR netWORK, Brian says, “What’s not to love about being part of a group that’s primary focus is doing positive things for kids. In today’s world, we hear all too often about ‘what’s wrong’ and why things ‘can’t be done’. When a dedicated, caring group of people come together and ask “how can we make this happen?”, the winners are the youth of the community…windows open to new opportunities and a future full of hope and dreams! And it feels good. Now that’s one investment that pays dividends for more than a lifetime.”
Melanie (Kadera) Fortin
Melanie works in the Legal/Compliance Department for Transamerica/AEGON. Melanie is a 1995 graduate of Cedar Rapids Kennedy. She has lived on the “westside” since 2005 with her husband and two children. Prior to AEGON, Melanie was at Great America Leasing Corporation for 8 years and was actively involved in planning company celebrations and coordinating employee fundraisers for organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Linn County Food Bank and the American Heart Association.
Melanie and her husband have been members since 2010. “I knew that I wanted to be actively involved in a non-profit group but I wanted to find the right fit. It was important to me that my efforts be focused locally and benefit children. When my husband learned about CR netWORK from his coworkers we knew we wanted to learn more about it. We attended a membership meeting and were so impressed with CR netWORK and their vision, we were instantly looking for a membership form! I’m excited to be a part of such a great organization!”
Don McDill
Don is a principal program manager in Government Systems at Rockwell Collins. Prior to moving back to the Cedar Rapids area in 2000, Don and his family had lived in desert climates for 14 years. Having grown up in Cedar Rapids, it was important to be back with family and friends and to provide a great educational experience for his children – one of the best school systems in the country he feels. He also missed the snow!
Having attended Jefferson High School, Don wants to see the West side schools meet their full potential – providing socially conscious and educated citizens to lead us into the future. We know the schools can’t do it alone – the success of our children start in the home, but not all children are afforded the same opportunities. One of several positive outcomes from the flood of 2008 was the formation of CR netWORK by a small group of Jefferson alum. Since its inception, CR netWORK has grown immensely and continues to grow – demonstrating our community’s commitment to our children…our future leaders. Providing resources and leveraging personal networks are just a couple ways CR netWORK is able to positively change the lives of our young ones – one child at a time. Don desires to see CR netWORK lead by example and team up with other non-profits that have similar core values and a vision for the future of Cedar Rapids.
Brian Winders
Brian is the owner/operator of Genghis Grill the Mongolian Stir Fry. Growing up on the SW side of Cedar Rapids, Brian attended Coolidge, Taft and Jefferson HS. Brian believes that if the westside youth are given the opportunity to make a positive connection with others in their neighborhoods they will have a better chance to be positive and productive members of our westside community; allowing the revolving door to be set in motion. Brian feels that the CR netWORK will be the catalyst for keeping that revolving door moving.
Marty Hoeger
Background Coming Soon…
