Christopher (Chris) D. Jewett is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for Midwest Assistance Program, Inc. (MAP) and has over thirteen years of experience assisting rural communities in finding solutions to their drinking water, wastewater, and solid waste infrastructure. Chris recently served as Programs Director, managing and providing program implementation to MAP's funding grants and contracts. Additionally, he ensures relationships with state agencies, industry partners, community leaders, and industry vendors are sustained. Chris has also served as Field Operations Director and as Regional Field Manager overseeing MAP operations to ensure policies and procedures are executed efficiently, and deliverables are achieved in a proficient manner. He began his career with MAP in 2010 as a Technical Assistance Provider in Iowa. Prior to MAP, Chris served with the Missouri Army National Guard as an Active Guard/Reserve (AGR) Soldier for twenty-four plus years in several capacities, before retiring as the Operations Sergeant Major for the 110th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade. He has a diverse portfolio of certifications and self-enhancement courses ranging from personnel management, training, leadership, human resources, environmental, HAZMAT, safety, emergency management response/planning, equal opportunity, finance, logistics, legal and water distribution.

Kerri Jewett joined Midwest Assistance Program, Inc. MAP in 2013 and serves as the organization's Finance Director. Kerri earned a BSBA in Accounting and Management in 1993. She brings over thirty years of experience in the accounting field including public and private accounting, human resource administration, as well as retirement plan administration. She previously worked at Citizens Bank and Trust as a retirement plan administrator for 7 years.

​Chad Smith (Pete) is the Senior Operations Director located in the Field Office of Ogema, MN, which is located within the White Earth Reservation. He has over 26 years’ experience working for Minnesota’s White Earth tribe as a public works manager as well as multiple non-tribal communities, and more recently as a MAP Area Director, Regional Field Manager, and Technical Assistance Provider, he has worked with Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin’s tribes and correlating utility staff as well as many non-tribal communities throughout Minnesota and North Dakota. Smith’s professional certification includes Minnesota Department of Health’s Class C Water Operator Certification, and MN Pollution Control Agency’s Class D Wastewater Certification. He also has training and experience with Sanitary Surveys (EPA), Cross Connection Control (EPA/MN), and National Incident Management System (NIMS) as well as being fully qualified in numerous roles of technical assistance and training the rural/tribal communities.

​Erinn has 20 years of experience working to protect public and environmental health. Erinn collaborates with water, wastewater and solid waste primacy and funding agencies, and industry professionals, to ensure utilities are provided pertinent training and assistance. Her experience working with a variety of stakeholders, conducting research and educating others, provides for a comprehensive perspective to facilitate collaborative relationships, and constructive communication to find solutions that meet diverse needs. ​Erinn holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Microbiology- Environmental Health from Montana State University in Bozeman, is a Registered Sanitarian, and a Certified Operator in Training for Surface Water Treatment and Distribution Classes 1A and 1B.

​LeAnn is the Programs Director for Midwest Assistance Program, Inc. (MAP) and has worked in the industry of water, wastewater, solid waste, finance, and management for thirty years. She is responsible for managing and providing program implementation to MAP's funding grants and contracts. LeAnn is responsible for identifying funding opportunities, meeting program reporting requirements, managing advocacy efforts, and maintaining relationships with federal and state agencies, partners, and community leaders. LeAnn also previously served as the State Field Manager and Regional Field Manager for MAP providing oversight and supervision of Project Managers to ensure completion of project deliverables and provide assistance to rural community systems. ​ ​ LeAnn has been working with water, wastewater and solid waste since 1993 where she started billing, collecting and processing utility payments for a large utility and served as a part-time municipal Finance Officer for her small community. This experience lead to overseeing a $3 million annual city budget, interim City Administrator role and oversite responsibilities of 50+ employees and is now sharing her experience with communities, tribes and associations within the midwest with MAP. She continues to grow her education and is a certified Manager of Landfill Operations (MOLO) technical advisor, experienced in providing guidance and training to both staff and councils, and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Computerized Information Systems from Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD. While working with MAP, she has assisted communities to apply for funding, trained boards, councils, and financial staff, wrote RFQ/RFP’s, conducted Vulnerability Assessments and wrote Emergency Response Plans, drinking water Site Sample Plans, conducted and wrote Environmental Reviews, documented drinking water operations & Maintenance Plans, conducted ADA Accessibility Assessments, SRF Capacity Reviews and followed-up with training for identified weaknesses.

Erin Miller is the HR/IT/Communications Director with Midwest Assistance Program, Inc. (MAP) Erin has over seventeen combined years of office administration, management, event planning, and marketing experience. Erin graduated Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Missouri in 2003 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management. She joined Citizens Bank & Trust as the Marketing and Management Coordinator in the Financial Advisory Services Division, working specifically in the Employee Benefits Department. Her responsibilities included reporting, budgeting, marketing and management strategies, preparing employee benefits communications, and proposals. Erin then took a position as Assistant Catering Manager with Aramark at Northwest Missouri State University planning and coordinating varied events and meetings from 5 – 300 guests. Erin has also worked in several positions ranging from Office Manager for a Financial Representative to bookkeeping and hotel management. Erin joined MAP in 2018 and assists the nonprofit organization with human resource policies for all personnel, employee benefits program administration, accounting, payroll, job candidate recruiting, new employee orientation, facilitating technology support, office administration, providing internal/external communications, and event planning.​

Mike Obal, Area Director, is a qualified professional in the area of wastewater treatment plan project coordination and construction. He has over 10 years of experience in the construction industry where his experience lies in constructing wastewater treatment plants ranging from small communities to large cities. During his time constructing wastewater treatment facilities, Obal learned the details of strategic project management. As a TAP, Mike was able to assist communities with various funding applications, rate evaluations, and emergency response plans. Obal is also NIMS-certified to assist communities with disaster resources.

Jesse Campbell joined MAP in 2015 and brings with him over 17 years of well owner experience. Campbell serves as the Coordinator of the Private Well Program at MAP. He possesses a master's degree in generalized social work methodology from the University of Missouri Kansas City. He has worked with well owners for 8 years and has been a well owner for more than 17 years, resulting in experience in onsite/decentralized systems. Campbell has evaluated over 550 private wells using the assessment tool throughout the Midwest. Campbell plans and delivers seminars, trainings, and workshops for well owners and professionals providing them with the necessary tools and resources to successfully protect public health and groundwater in MAP’s region. He is a licensed DS1 Water Operator in the State of Missouri.

Marty Ostransky has four years of experience as a Water and Wastewater Operator for the Village of Cody in Nebraska. He possesses licensing in Grade 2 Water, Grade 6 Backflow and Grade 1 Wastewater. He works to educate operators in the State of Nebraska by providing classes eligible for continuing education hours through MAP and the Central Community College in Water Disinfection, Backflow Recertification and Wastewater. Marty’s education includes an Associate’s Degree in Diesel Technology from Southeast Community College, Milford, NE and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management from the University of Nebraska in Kearney. His education and experience in water and wastewater are a valuable asset to the small communities of Nebraska.

Karen Thomas has been a Technical Assistance Provider for North Dakota since 2016. During this time, she has been assisting communities with water and wastewater issues as well as conducting trainings that support water operators and other community leaders. Additionally, she has assisted in the development and implementation of workshops for basic water operator math and emergency response planning for small water systems. She came to MAP with over 20 years of business experience having owned and operated several businesses giving her extensive knowledge in budgeting, creating action plans, bookkeeping, staffing, and customer service. Prior to becoming a Technical Assistance Provider, she was involved with the local chamber of commerce and served on a committee helping young entrepreneurs receive scholarships. Karen was a spokesperson for a large corporation for 8 years and traveled extensively speaking and training the public on a variety of subjects. She also has 10 years of experience in education and has taught multiple subjects. She holds a B.S. in Zoology from University of California Santa Barbara and a M.A. in Education from the University of Phoenix. She loves working with people and is passionate about teaching and helping others achieve success as well.

During the last 20 plus years, Ron has been focused on municipal government through the management of municipal infrastructure assets, community planning, and building department management. His background and knowledge of general construction, water-wastewater infrastructure design/construction/management including implementation of Geographic Information Systems and interactive web-based mapping provide him a unique ability to assist water and wastewater systems in comprehensive real-time asset management and sustainability, from the field to the office. He is a Wyoming licensed water, wastewater, and distribution operator along with possessing multiple certifications in building department administration. Over the last year, he has worked with several communities in Wyoming assisting them establish GIS management for their water and wastewater infrastructure. Currently, Ron is developing and managing the GIS program for MAP.

Kelli is a GIS Technician for Midwest Assistance Program, Inc. and is based out of Minnesota. She holds a M.A. in Geography from the University of North Dakota, a B.S. in Geoscience from Minnesota State University-Moorhead, and a certificate in GIS. She has previously worked in the utilities, facilities management, and environmental industries as a GIS Tech. This has given her experience in collecting and analyzing data, map making, and creating a variety of web-based apps. She is very passionate about GIS and all its capabilities, and looks forward to helping rural and tribal communities find innovative geographic solutions.

Rhiannon Niemeier serves as the Administrative & Communications Manager for Midwest Assistance Program, Inc., where she combines strong organizational skills with a talent for clear, effective communication. She oversees daily administrative operations, manages office systems, and coordinates cross-team projects to ensure the organization runs smoothly and efficiently. In addition to her administrative role, Rhiannon manages MAP’s internal and external communications, including social media, newsletters, and public-facing materials, maintaining consistent messaging across all platforms. She has implemented streamlined processes that improve workflow, enhance team collaboration, and keep projects on track. Detail-oriented yet focused on the big picture, Rhiannon thrives in fast-paced, mission-driven environments and takes pride in making complex information accessible, engaging, and actionable.

Casey Burrus joined Midwest Assistance Program, Inc. (MAP) in 2022 and brings with her fourteen years of experience working in county government in the County Equalization Office as a Certified Assessor Appraiser in both the Staff Appraiser and Director positions. In this position, she was responsible for assessing all real property within the county and basing property values on comparable sales, replacement costs, and/or income. She was also responsible for educating the public on the assessment process and how it affects the property owner. Casey also filled the role of County Planning and Zoning Administrator for 8 years. As such, she was responsible for approving building permits or preparing the building permit application for public hearings. She maintained all county ordinances and worked with state departments and county commissioners to ensure all rules were followed for building permit applications. Casey is also an active member in her community and has helped Burke Business Development write and obtain grants to provide websites for businesses, as well as sat on the board for Burke Business Development to help businesses obtain funding and support. She was one of the founding board members for the Burke Daycare and is currently the sec/treas of the daycare. While employed by the county, she obtained a grant to build the Gregory County website. Casey is active with South Dakota Specialty Producers and is on the Executive Team as the Secretary. The organization promotes local foods and specialty crops and educates potential producers on how to succeed in the specialty crop market. Casey has written block grant applications to help fund the organization's goals. Casey is also a Bush Foundation Change Network Member and has worked to obtain grants to help fund art and community projects within Gregory County. This undertaking has included musical events, speakers, and bringing in an artist to work with locals in the community to create an art installation. Casey worked in the role of Project Manager/Technical Assistance Provider for one year prior to assuming the role of Internal Programs Manager for MAP providing oversight, coordination, and reporting for the organization's programs. Casey loves rural living and believes there is nothing but opportunity in rural America.

Natalia Heck joined MAP in 2023. Her professional background includes nonprofit work and accounting. She has extensive knowledge of nonprofit operations and QuickBooks. She holds a Master of Science in Management, Bachelor of Science in Management, and Bachelor of Science in Finance from Minot State University. Heck grew up on a farm in the state and continues to enjoy small-town living. Her passions include spreadsheets, helping others, and learning about the small towns throughout MAP's nine-state region.

Tasha Anderson joined MAP in 2025. Her experience of more than 25 years in the nonprofit sector includes leveraging nonprofit and municipal-level strengths through strategic growth, board governance, and capacity building. Originally from South Dakota, she is happy to be back in her home state, having most recently served as the USDA RCDI Program Director and then the Executive Director with the West Virginia Nonprofit Association. She holds a Ph.D. in Political Science with concentrations in Public and Nonprofit Administration and Public Policy from the University of South Dakota and is a BoardSource-trained Board Governance consultant and facilitator. Anderson’s research focused on rural nonprofit governance and the unique perspectives of nonprofits operating in rural America. She also holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration and undergraduate degrees in Business Management & Marketing and Equine Science.