About our Board of Directors
Kassy LeBaron Knudson, Board Chair
Kassy LeBaron Knudson is the Vice President of People Resources at Lincoln Industries. She represents the third generation of the LeBaron family at Lincoln Industries. Her grandfather, Dale LeBaron founded the company and was also a founding board member at the Willard Community Center. Her father, Marc, is the CEO and Chairman at Lincoln Industries. At Lincoln Industries, Kassy has served in several roles, including human resources, operations and marketing. She is engaged in the Lincoln community. Kassy is a board member at NextGen and is the Board Chair of the Willard Community Center. She has been a member of the Willard Board since 2011. She has also participated on the College of Business Administration’s Young Advisory Board and the Lincoln Entrepreneurial Task Force. Kassy is a 2008 graduate of the University of Nebraska with a degree in biology and a minor in biochemistry. She and her husband, Philip, have two sons.
Justin Pflanz, Vice Chair
I grew up in Bennet, NE and went to Palmyra High School. I then went on to graduate from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln where I got my degree in mechanical engineering and a minor in business. During college I was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity (Sig Ep) and worked for Goodyear for three years designing drive belts for Harley-Davidson and Buell motorcycles as well as their materials database system. After college went to work for Lincoln Industries where I managed a segment of their Harley-Davidson Tier 1 accounts before taking a job with Schlumberger. I worked as an engineer for Schlumberger for three years designing oil wells in Saudi Arabia. During those three years I spent most of my time in Saudi, but traveled a fair amount visiting a little over 10 different countries.
During one of my trips back to the States I flew through NYC to visit some friends where I met my future wife Cassidy for the first time. Cassidy was originally from North Platte, NE and despite also having gone to UNL, have been a member of the Greek system (A Phi), and having several mutual friends, it took a trip to NYC for us to meet. Cassidy was managing the production department of a fashion house (Nicole Miller) when I met her and we dated long distance for about two years (I know she's a saint) before she convinced me to move back. I moved back to NYC for approximately three months while my brother Casey and I looked for a company to either startup or purchase. It took about three month of searching but we finally found TAB Performance (a company which makes aftermarket exhaust and accessories for motorcycles), which was previously located in Bristol, VA. I moved down to Bristol for about three months to learn the business and prepare it to be moved back to Nebraska. Cassidy came down to visit me while I was there which is where I proposed. Shortly thereafter we moved TAB Performance & Cassidy back to Nebraska. A little over a year later (June 2013) we got married and we have two spoiled pets; our cat named Jack and our dog named Ginny. I currently run all the day-to-day operations of TAB Performance which I co-own with my brother Casey. In 2015 my brother and I decided to start yet another company called Bizzergi. Bizzergi which is a business solutions provider focused on helping small to medium sized e-commerce companies maximize their potential. We do everything from warehousing and order fulfillment to marketing. I've been on the Willard board since October 2014, and enjoy helping out in any way I can.
My hobbies and interests include but are not limited to: rock climbing, scuba diving, snowboarding, wakeboarding, running, golfing (just about any sport really), building things (I love projects), and spending time with friends and family.
Michele Lueders, Secretary
My name is Michele Lueders and I am the proud parent of two amazing young people. I came to Lincoln in the mid-90's to work on my undergraduate degree from the University of Nebraska Lincoln, which I completed in 2000. I met my significant other and began my family shortly thereafter.
I began my professional career working for Cedars Youth Services before starting at the Department of Heath and Human Services as a Children and Family Service Worker. I have a desire and passion to work with kids and families to ensure the best outcomes. I continued to work for DHHS for almost 10 years until I made a career change to the Administrative Offices of Probation. I currently work specifically within the Administrative Office of Probation, Juvenile Services to help develop potential legislation, policies and trainings, to ensure the youth in the State of Nebraska are served effectively and appropriately.
In the past , I have served as a Big Brother, Big Sister while in college and most recently was matched with a Teammate through the Beatrice Teammate Program. I have also been active with the Lincoln Southeast Band Boosters.
I have wanted to become more engaged in our community and have been searching for the right opportunity to do so. Having both of my children participate in the Willard Community Center programming and seeing the positive impacts not only in my children but the other children who have participated in Willard programming, makes me feel this is the right fit for me. I want to ensure Willard Community Center continues to be a resource for families and young people in the Lincoln community, by having the opportunity to share my experience will allow for continued growth and development.
Joey Mumaugh, Treasurer
I have been a member of the Willard board since 2016. I am passionate about working with non-profits in Lincoln and especially those that work with youth to help them become successful adults. I am a foster parent so I see the advantages to having kids in quality programs with consistent staff members who are caring and supportive. I see the capacity that Willard has and I want to be a part of their growth and development.
Irene Delozier
Irene is the CFO and Vice President of Human Resources for the Foundation for Educational Services, Inc (FES). She has worked for FES and the family of companies for 28 years. She has a Bachelor’s of Science in Accounting from College of St. Mary’s where she graduated Summa Cum Laude in 1995. She obtained her CPA certificate in 1998 and is a member of the Nebraska Society of CPA’s. She and has been part of Willard since 2008. She is passionate about her work and has dedicated her career to the not-for-profit world. She is passionate about Willard and the services they provide. She recognizes the impact Willard has had over the years on the community and the children and families who use the services. She is proud to support and be part of FES and Willard Community Center.
Irene was born in Cuba and is fluent in Spanish. At the age of 12, she immigrated to the US with her family. She was the first member of her family to become a naturalized citizen and is proud to be the first person in her family to get a college degree.
Irene is very close to family which includes sisters (4) and brother (1). Her father, who is deceased, sacrificed a lot to give his family the gift of freedom and opportunity by coming to this wonderful country. Family is very important to her, thus she is involved in the activities of her nieces, nephews, and great nieces. Whether it is a dance recital or a sporting event, Irene does her best to show her support by attending as many events as possible.
Johanna Hannemann
Johanna Hannemann is a UNL graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. She has worked at West Gate Bank since 2004, currently serving as Retail Training Officer. Johanna is also an active classroom volunteer for Junior Achievement and serves as the bank’s JA company coordinator.
Johanna’s family lives in the Coddington and West A area. Her two children attend Roper Elementary, and her husband works for Lincoln Public Schools. She has been a member of the Willard Board since 2017. Johanna is grateful for what Willard has to offer her local area’s youth and families, and she enjoys the opportunity to serve and support the organization’s growth and development.
Carolyn Allen-Kortmeyer
I have had a passion for Willard since my daughter, Sarah Reinke, became employed there. My husband and I are invested in Willard and we believe in its mission. Throughout the years we have helped in any capacity that we were able, including; driving our car trailer to Omaha to pick-up Toys For Tots items for the children at Willard and the Lakeview Community Learning Center and to help move Preschool items over to the Pre-K House to be stored during the building renovation, installing signs in the new building, volunteering at fund raising events, and so much more. I feel that I am someone who is dedicated to help Willard and am excited about serving on the board of directors.
Emily Phelps
Emily is Assistant Vice President and Assistant Branch Manager at West Gate Bank in Lincoln. She was born and raised in Lincoln, Nebraska. Emily attended Lakeview Elementary, a school that Willard Community Center serves. She has worked at West Gate Bank since 2010. While at the bank, she has had the opportunity and has served on several committees. Emily has been a Willard Community Center Board member since 2014. Willard is a special place to her since she was surrounded by individuals that have been touched by Willard while growing up.
Dr. Terry Stentz- PHD, MPH, CPE, CPC
Terry has 25 years of industry and business ownership experience, and 2021 is his 30th year as a university professor in the UNL College of Engineering and the UNMC College of Public Health. He is a Vietnam War Veteran and a retired U.S. Navy Captain. Terry believes in the power of visionary servant leadership and the impact of absolute talented team commitment. Terry is active in the Cornhusker Council BSA and the Wachiska Audubon Society. His Gallup Strength Finder Traits are Strategic, Learner, Achiever, Individualism, and Arranger. Terry’s everyday work passion is mentoring young people to achieve great things larger than themselves. He calls this “star throwing”.
Will Tolliver
Will joined the Board of Directors in 2019. He is an employee of Lincoln Industries and has been a supporter of the partnership with Willard and Lincoln Industries for many years. He is a father of three and has a passion for helping others. Will joined the board as an extension of his passion. Being of service to others has been his life motto and joining the board was an obvious next step!