Meet Tom Vanderlaan
Executive Director
I was born and raised in Morrison, Illinois, but have lived in Iowa since college. I am married to my wife Kim, a 6th-grade teacher at Aurora Heights. Together, Kim and I have three children: Kayla, who is going to be a senior at Newton Senior High School; Trey who is 11 and a 7th grader; and Tade, who is in first gradergrade..

One of my passions is coaching, playing and watching sports -- basketball, baseball, football and golf. My favorite teams are the Yankees, Bulls (as seen with former Chicago Bulls Player Bobby Hansen-left), Bears and of course the Newton Cardinals!

In addition to working as the executive director at the Y for the last nine years, I serve as an Elder at the Community Heights Alliance Church, am a member of the Newton Rotary Club and serve on the SYNC Board.
Contact Tom at tom.vanderlaan@newtonymca.org or call (641) 792-4006.


Meet Frank Buckley
Director of Business Development
I was born and raised in Newton and other than 3 years living in Marshalltown, have lived here my entire life. My wife Betty who I met in high school (she was the Homecoming Queen while I was the Court Jester) have been married more than 35 years, raised two fine sons who have blessed us with loving families. My interest are spending time with the family, playing golf, fishing, and mowing grass. I enjoy watching sports, Animal Planet and the History Channel.

Previous to joining the Newton YMCA Team, I spent 30 plus years in Corporate America and have survived company mergers and not so friendly take overs. I feel God has opened the door for me to pursue my passion to assist those less fortunate and to lead by living my life for Him. My formula to Life is G3FH...EE. Place God first, then Faith/Family/Friends, then Health, and then Everything Else.

My responsibilities as Director of Business Development include fundraising and grant requests, community and business liaison, IT administration, and financial reporting.
Contact Frank by email at frank.buckley@newtonymca.org or call him at (641) 792-4006.

Meet Sue Field
Director of Aquatics and Fitness
I've been working with the YMCA for a long time and have served as a YMCA director since 1980. With my husband Tom and son Taylor ... and our dog Lucky ... we moved to Newton a few short years ago from Wisconsin. Shortly after moving to Newton, I began working as a personal trainer at the Newton YMCA. In April 2010, I joined the Newton Y full time serving as director of aquatics and fitness.

I enjoy competing and have completed 15 marathons including the Boston Marathon four times. I enjoy watching all sports, especially baseball when the Red Sox beat the Yankees. Go BOSTON!

Contact Sue by email at sue.field@newtonymca.org or call her at (641) 792-4006.

Meet Jessica Lowe
Director of Marketing and Membership
I like long walks on the beach .... Wait, this isn't that kind of get to know me. I have worked for the YMCA as the marketing and membership director for a year now. Prior to joining the Y team I was a staff writer for the Newton Daily News. It was the Daily News job that brought me to Newton almost 6 years ago and I'm thankful for that because Newton has become my home.

I like all kinds of dorky things like magic tricks and watching shows that are way out of my age range (like "Murder She Wrote" and "Matlock"). OK, more seriously, I love music and going to all kinds of concerts, having fun with family and friends, spoiling my dog Ruby and cat Ori, working on my house and my yard, traveling, volunteering, joking around and of course I love, love, love ice cream.

The Y has been a great place to work and meet new people. I've especially enjoyed meeting members and getting to know more about them, planning events like the Night of Magic and the Easter Egg Hunt, and learning more about being a healthy and active citizen.

As marketing and membership director, I work to promote the Y in Jasper County communities and to grow our membership. Some of the things I do is help develop the web site, design advertisements, record radio spots, speak to organizations and work at community events to raise awareness about all the YMCA does.

I look forward to seeing you at the Y very soon. Stop by my office anytime and say hello.
Contact Jessica by email at jessica.lowe@newtonymca.org or by phone at (641) 792-4006.


Meet Danny Beeler
Property Manager
Hi my name is Danny Beeler, I have been the property manager at the Newton YMCA since 2001.
Outside the YMCA I am the owner/operator of Touch of Shine Floor Care, which specializes in carpet cleaning and VCT floor care

In my free time I enjoy spending time with my family, riding my motorcycle and camping.

I also love music as it is my lifetime hobby and I play guitar for a band called BEN2K out of Ankeny.

The greatest thing I find about our YMCA is the fact that everyone is important to us and I have made a lot of friends over the years, and my co-workers are like another family to me.

Contact Danny by email at danny.beeler@newtonymca.org or by phone at (641) 792-4006.


Meet Sarah Swanson
Director of Youth and Adults Sports and Rec
I was born and raised in Britt, Iowa… which is often known for Hobo Days. I attended Waldorf College in Forest City where I played both basketball and softball. I graduated in December of 2010 with a degree in Physical Education and Wellness. I spent the rest of the winter and spring substitute teaching and coaching Middle School Girls’ Track at Garner-Hayfield. Up until joining the staff at the Y this summer, I had lived within 20 minutes from home so moving to Newton was a big step for me.

Sports are my passion whether it is playing, coaching, or watching. In addition to basketball and softball, I really enjoy golf and volleyball. I spent the past 5 summers coaching high school softball at the Freshmen and JV levels, and I am going to miss it dearly when the season comes back around. Some of my other interests include working out, watching movies, listening to music, watching “Dexter”, and spending time with my friends and family. I am a Mt. Dew addict, and ice cream always makes my day better.

I haven’t been at the Y for long, but it has been great so far. It is a new experience and challenge every day. I enjoy the people I work with, and feel like the Y will offer me an abundance of opportunities to meet new people, grow as an individual, and share my passion for sports and for God.

As the Youth and Adult Sports Director, I look forward to building the current programs and adding new programs as well. I look forward to providing more camps, clinics, and day trips for the youth of Newton to enjoy and benefit from. In addition, I want to find adult programs which attract men and women of all ages.


Meet Melinda Worthington
Art & Craft Coordinator
I was born in Iowa and spent the majority of my life in Newton near family. I have two great children, Grant and Adena and a dog Jack and I am blessed to have my mother living with me.

The arts have been an intricate part of my life and I enjoy the opportunity to share my love of them with the people of this area.

Besides the arts, I enjoy spending time with family, serving in my church, teaching drama to youth, family history, reading and working for the Newton Community School District.


Meet Ange Sevenbergen
Member Services Coordinator
I was born and raised in Nevada, Iowa. I met my (Newton native) husband Scott while attending the University of Northern Iowa. We have been married almost 14 years and have 3 great kids: Blake, Haley and Jana. We are happy to be close to both our families and moved ‘home’ to Newton in 2002. Our kids keep us busy and we wouldn’t want it any other way.

In our free time we enjoy football, Blackhawks hockey and especially sprint car racing. Oh, and we have a split household – I am a CYCLONE and he’s a Hawkeye…

I love seeing all the great people at the Y! You can find me at the front desk; watching at the soccer fields, gym or pool; picking up the kids at childcare; volunteering at the Senior Health Fair or even working out! If I don’t know you, introduce yourself; and if I do, I’d love to catch up!
Contact Ange by email at ange.sevenbergen@newtonymca.org or by phone at (641) 792-4006
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