Ryan
Community Prevention Specialist
Project Supervisor
Contact Ryan

Hello! My name is Ryan Cooper and I am the Program Director for the VCC.
I am originally from Billings, Montana, but my wife and I have lived in Elkader
for 5 years. I earned my Bachelor’s in Biology/Secondary Education from
Montana State University-Billings in the spring of 2006 and promptly moved
to NE Iowa for a teaching job. I taught high school science for a year at MFL
MarMac before teaching Math at Wyalusing Academy in Prairie du Chien for
3 years. After that I took a year off to work on my Master’s degree full time
and substitute teach part time. I have now been working on my Master’s
Degree in Biblical Counseling for three years (almost done!). My wife, Kim,
is originally from Volga and works as the manager of The Treats on Bridge
Street in Elkader.

I enjoy working for the VCC because it is a community organization that has
made a legitimate difference in the lives of many people here in the Valley. I
hope to continue that legacy for generations to come.

Cassie
Community Prevention Specialist
Mentoring Coordinator
Contact Cassie

Hi, my name is Cassie Peterson and I have worked with the VCC since August 2006 as a Certified Prevention Specialist and Mentoring Program Coordinator.
I graduated from Valley in 2000. Afterwards I attended Luther College and graduated in 2004 with my Bachelors degree in Social Work.
I currently live in Clermont with my husband Kristopher and our son Waylon. Kris is a paraeducator and bus driver for the Valley Community School District. We enjoy spending time with our family, and working on projects around the house!.
I love working for the VCC, because I see the difference it is making in the lives of adults and youth in the Valley. I have lived in this community my whole life, and I hope to continue to see it become a safer, healthier place for future generations to grow up in.