Our Team
Ben Schmidt
Area Director
Ben Schmidt and his wife
Jenna joined the NE Iowa FCA team in January 2018. Ben’s role is to engage, equip and empower our staff, local Board and donors in northeast Iowa to fulfill FCA's mission "to lead every coach and athlete into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and His church." The Schmidts have three sons.
Leyla Groothuis
Administrative Assistant
Leyla joined the NE Iowa FCA staff June 2025. She will be supporting the team behind the scenes to help others thrive in their roles. She is looking forward to contributing to a Christ-centered environment and being part of a ministry that changes lives through the spread of the Gospel. Leyla and her husband Gabe have one daughter.
Ken Trautmann
Area Representative
Ken has been on staff since 2012; him and his wife Lynn disciple students and coaches through Bible studies, meals and fellowship. Ken works primarily with college ministry, especially University of Northern Iowa athletes, who they lead out of their home. Ken also disciples many coaches and athletes with one-on-one Bible studies. The Trautmanns have five grown children and six grandchildren.
Alicia Denner
Area Representative
Alicia Denner joined the NE Iowa FCA team August of 2023. Along with her husband Justin, Alicia has been an FCA huddle leader for the Crestwood High School FCA for several years. Alicia invests in huddles in Howard and Winneshiek counties. The Denners have two daughters and one son.
Amber Pugh
Amber has joined FCA as an All Ability Ambassador and will focus on supporting and sharing the Gospel with individuals with different abilities, their families and their caregivers. Amber resides in Waverly with her husband Michael, their two sons and their special needs daughter.
Psalm 139:13-14 is her verse
Josh Rouser
Josh has a desire to share the Gospel with everyone he runs into. He leads the Waverly-Shell Rock FCA student leaders and builds relationships with other students and coaches to disciple and sharpen them. Him and is wife Sonya have five sons.
John 14:23 is their family verse.
Randy Kies
Randy joined the NE Iowa FCA team June of 2024. Randy and his family have been involved in club sports through FCA since their three sons were in elementary school. He is developing and growing our FCA Club and League Sports ministry by discipling FCA Sports Coaches.
Karen Morlan
Area Representative
Karen joined the team in 2023 and has been active in starting and encouraging huddles in the Cedar Valley, especially in Cedar Falls, Denver, North Fayette Valley and Upper Iowa University. Karen and her husband Ron have four grown children and two grandchildren.
NE Iowa FCA Staff and Leadership Board
Top Row (left to right): Tim Brandt; Justin Dahlager; Ryan Randall, Board Chair; Ron Morlan; Dave Mason
Middle Row: Randy Kies, FCA Sports Ambassador; Ken Trautmann, Area Rep; Vanessa Ebling, Admin Assist;
Karen Morlan, Area Rep; Stacy Mason; Ben Schmidt, Area Director
Bottom Row: Emily Brandt; Joyce Barbatti, Kelsey Randall; Alicia Denner, Area Rep
Not Pictured: Josh Rouser, Waverly Ambassador, Amber Pugh, All Ability Ambassador
