Betty J. Mohlenbrock , M.Ed.
Founder and Chair
Betty founded United Through Reading and its programs through a full time commitment to improving children's chances for success in reading and school. Her background and over 40 years of experience as an educator and reading specialist have focused on instilling the joy of reading in children by involving the family and extended family in communicating with children through the medium of reading aloud together.

Sally Zoll
Chief Executive Officer
United Through Reading's Chief Executive Officer, Sally Ann Zoll, has returned to the county where her professional career began as a fledgling teacher with the Chula Vista Elementary School District. Since that time, she has demonstrated not only her broad knowledge of education and educational technology, but her capabilities in building and leading major national corporations. Prior to her return, Sally was president and chief executive officer of LearnStar, Inc., a developer of K-12 teaching and assessment software in Dallas. Serving in that position for nine years, her depth of experience and proven leadership were responsible for advancing the little known, privately held company to a nationally recognized and award-winning organization.

Sally's roots in advanced education run deep. She has a doctorate in educational leadership and management, a master's degree in special education from the University of San Diego and she earned her BA in elementary education from Purdue University.

Sherri Allen
National Program Manager, USO
Born in Birmingham Alabama, Sherri is a graduate of the University of Texas at Dallas with a degree in Special Education and History. A pastor’s wife and mother of four, she also taught at the elementary and secondary school levels for several years. Her husband serves as the Dean of the School of Theology at Southwestern Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. With her son serving in the USMC Reserves, Sherri has been employed as the Volunteer Coordinator for the USO/DFW since March 2006, training and coordinating over 350 volunteers as well as directing the United Through Reading Room at USO/DFW. Sherri considers it one of the greatest privileges to serve our military personnel and their families.

Barbara Brugh
Volunteer Book Review Consultant
Before Barbara retired after 25 years of teaching, she had inundated her elementary school classrooms with thousands of library books for her students. After she heard Betty Mohlenbrock speak about United Through Reading at a club meeting, Barbara volunteered to maintain the program booklists for the website. To date she has personally read and rated over 1600 children’s books.

Suzan Caughlan
Program Manager, US Marine Corps
Suzan has experience as a special education teacher and has worked with Marine Corps families for more than twenty-seven years. She was Chair of Volunteers for the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, acting as Team Leader for Marine Corps Family Team Building LINKS at MCAS Miramar, and a volunteer with Key Volunteer Network during several deployments.  Suzan brings this experience and love for military families to the task of bringing United Through Reading to Marine Corps personnel deployed worldwide.

Kara C. Dallman
Program Director, Military Program
Kara is a native of Tennessee and earned a BA from The College of the Holy Cross and an MBA from San Diego State University.  Kara served in the U.S. Navy on active duty for 12 years and is currently a Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve. With assignments worldwide, she has embraced the adventure, travel, friendships and variety in military life.  Kara’s volunteer spirit led her to United Through Reading as a volunteer Regional Representative in Yokosuka, Japan, and again as the co-chairperson of the United Through Reading Advisory Committee.

AnneMarie P. Gumataotao
Program Manager, Grandparent Program
AnneMarie has an extensive background in marketing communications, having served numerous corporate, public agency, and private business entities.  For six years, AnneMarie also ran her own communications practice, primarily writing annual reports, web content, and advertising for clients on both the west and east coasts.   AnneMarie has served as adjunct faculty at Hawaii Pacific University and the University of Hawaii, teaching academic writing and media courses, and supported cancer education and prevention research at the Cancer Research Center of Hawaii.  AnneMarie recently completed her doctorate in Media Psychology and is executing her research and marketing skills with the development of United Through Reading’s new Grandparent Program.   

Adriana Kirkland
Executive Assistant / Office manager
Adriana has over ten years experience serving as an Administrative and Executive assistant working with Owners, Presidents and CEO’s. Being a former Flight Attendant, she also understands how important it is to provide good customer service with the utmost professionalism and going the extra mile to make sure the daily needs of those around her are well taken care of.  She is excited to be able to offer her skills and abilities toward the mission of United Through Reading.

Deborah Loeffler
Director of National Outreach
Deborah is an educator and trainer who has worked extensively with and for Navy families throughout her husband’s 33 years as a Surface Warfare Officer. She has held multiple leadership roles as a member of the Command and Flag spouse communities and is also the recipient of the Department of the Navy Superior Public Service Medal. Deborah served as the Military Program Director from 2001 through 2005 and is currently using her skills to promote all of United Through Reading’s programs worldwide.

Kate McDevitt
National Program Manager, Navy
Kate brings a wealth of experience in managing logistics, recruiting, training volunteers and implementing programs.  A Navy Junior, her commitment to education is well-utilized in her work with the United Through Reading Military Program.  Most recently, Kate worked in Washington, DC as an Events Coordinator planning global educational events for membership of international CEOs.  Kate graduated with honors from Bucknell University with degrees in Sociology, Human Service Systems and Theatre.  She currently serves on the boards of several community and alumni groups.

Judy Ramseier
Administrative Assistant
Judy came to United Through Reading in July 2004 and worked as a volunteer for two years and became a part-time staff employee in July 2006.  She worked for 15 years as Office Manager, Executive Assistant and HR Administrator.   Her love of education blossomed with Jostens Learning Corporation, the originators of educational software and computers in schools.  During her first three years with Jostens, she worked as the computer teacher at La Costa Heights School helping the students improve their reading and math skills on the computer.

Robert Rudd
Database Administrator
Robert has worked within the IT realm for more than 15 years. He holds a Bachelors of Science in Computer Networks, and his industry experience includes both hardware and software skills. He has fulfilled such roles as database administrator, data analyst, and hardware technician. Robert is proud of the ongoing training he commits himself to in order to keep abreast of new technologies and trends within the industry. At United Through Reading, Robert focuses on streamlining our objectives and securing information through database processes and management.

Gretchen Schnitzer
Grant Writer
Gretchen has a background in marketing, business planning, and customer care with a large international company. After 20 years of working in the for-profit sector, she is happy to use her skills to seek grants for a cause that she really believes in – uniting separated families through reading.

Tricia Schuler
National Volunteer and Outreach Program Manager
A former member of the United States Air Force, Tricia brings hands-on knowledge of the military and is a proud recipient of the Air Force Commendation Medal. She has extensive computer experience gained through 10 years of graphic and web design in a software development company. She developed excellent customer service, volunteer coordination, and leadership training experience while working for a training and coaching company. Tricia has a heart for children and is a volunteer teacher for preschool children.

Leilani Stone
Program Manager Transitions Program
Being an Army daughter and then a Navy wife, Leilani knows first hand the difficulties a family endures from separation.   For many years, she has dedicated her time to helping children and families in the community, from the public courthouse to her children's school.  She joined United Through Reading as a volunteer for the Inmate Program before becoming Program Manager of Transitions Program.   Leilani received her BA at San Diego State University in Criminal Justice with an emphasis on delinquency.  Her degree coupled with her extensive volunteerism and personal experience will contribute to the growth and expansion of the Inmate Program.  Leilani hopes to be able to impress upon the community the importance of reading aloud and the closeness it brings to the families by bringing closure to the void created by a physically separated parent.

Lori F. Turley
Program Manager, US Army
Lori is a retired Navy Captain who served in numerous leadership positions during her 24-year military career, including Program Director for Community Support Programs throughout the Navy’s Southwest Region. Lori has a BA from Mary Washington College and Masters Degrees from the Naval Postgraduate School and Naval War College. She served as Commanding Officer of the Naval Consolidated Brig Miramar for two years and is now using her skills and experience to bring our Military Program to deployed Army personnel and their families.

Helen Westcott
Communications Director
For 19 years Helen directed the Communications Department of a San Diego non-profit organization, juggling media and community relations and all editorial responsibilities.  She has implemented numerous programs and activities and directed major fundraising efforts and public relations campaigns. She holds a BA in English and a minor in Communications.  She began her journey with United Through Reading as a volunteer, and then worked as Program Manager of the Inmate Program for several years. She now coordinates and directs our communications efforts.

Kate Wheeler
Director of Development
A native of Aspen, Colorado, Kate has13 years of experience in the non-profit arena, specifically focused on development.  After graduating with honors from the University of Northern Colorado, Kate served as Executive Director for a small community non-profit for four years, and then worked for the next nine years as an independent consultant helping non-profit organizations meet their fundraising goals. A graduate of Leadership Aspen, Kate has been extensively involved in community organizing efforts, serving on the Board of Directors of many community non-profits and schools.

Gerilyn Yoder
National Program Manager, Navy
Gerilyn was born in Nebraska and has lived in Southern California most of her life. She attended Fullerton College before serving in the U.S. Navy as a Sonar Technician for six and a half years. In 2004 she earned an AS in Animal Health Technologies, earning both a Federal and State practice license. She was lead technician in private practice from 2004 until 2007 and most recently worked in the county shelter as surgery nurse. Gerilyn is very excited to begin her career with United Through Reading as National Program Manager working with the Navy and plans to bring her military and ombudsman knowledge on board to help further the success of the program.