Jeremiah Gray
Director of Operations
Jeremiah has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Bellevue University. He joined the Pier Center for Autism in April 2017 following an 18 year career in Human Resource Management. Jeremiah also has extensive knowledge of finance, sales, performance management, recruiting, and marketing . He’s excited to be able to support the clinic, the staff, and the clients, any way that he can.
Miranda Smalley, M.A., BCBA, LBA
Director of Clinical Programming
BACB #1-17-25358, IA lic#95942
Miranda has a master’s degree in Educational Psychology with an emphasis in Behavior Analysis from West Virginia University. She started her career at the clinic as a board certified behavior analyst in 2016 and was promoted to Clinical Director of the Pier Center for Autism in July 2018. She is a former graduate supervisor at the Intensive Autism Service Delivery Clinic and teaching assistant at an alternative elementary education program in Morgantown, West Virginia. Her expertise lies in the implementation of function-based interventions to reduce challenging behavior as well as teaching early acquisition skills, activities of daily living, and social skills. Miranda is excited to continue her journey working with children with autism.
Maddy Harman, M.S., BCBA, LBA
Director of Clinical Research
BACB #1-17-27838, IA lic#95941
Maddy has a master’s degree in Experimental Psychology with an emphasis in Behavior Analysis from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee. She is a former behavior consultant and clinical supervisor at Autism Intervention Milwaukee and a graduate supervisor and lead therapist at the Tiger Center for Applied Behavior Analysis Services in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Her training and experiences encompass early intervention with young children, skill acquisition, and the reduction of severe challenging behavior. Maddy has a continued passion for extending research within the field of ABA and leads multiple research projects within the clinic each year. Maddy joined the Pier Center as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst in August 2018 and was promoted to Director of Clinical Research in September of 2022.
Erin Schroeder, M.A., BCBA, LBA
Board Certified Behavior Analyst
BACB # 1-22-62412, IA lic#114652
Erin joined our team at the Pier Center in September 2020. She graduated from Augustana University in 2018 with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology and Religion. Erin had 3 years of experience in ABA with adolescents with autism and severe challenging behavior prior to her employment at the Pier Center. She recently finished her Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis and passed the BCBA exam. Erin loves ABA because she gets to help kids reach their full potential!
Hailey Grell, M.A., BCBA
Board Certified Behavior Analyst
BACB # 1-23-67857, IA lic#118276
Hailey is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with a master’s degree in Behavior Analysis Practice from Florida Institute of Technology. Her training and experiences include supporting children and adolescents with autism and other developmental disabilities with skill-acquisition and using function-based interventions for reducing challenging behavior. She’s been part of the Pier Center team since June of 2020 as a behavior technician and is excited to continue her journey now as a BCBA.
Natasha Weltz
Behavior Technician
Natasha graduated from Buena Vista University in 2014 with her degree in elementary education with endorsements in reading and special education. She worked at Irving Elementary for 3 years as a reading interventionist then transferred to North Middle and worked as a para-educator in the School within a School classroom. Natasha joined the Pier Center in January 2015. As a behavior technician she excels in data collection, protocol implementation and assisting her clients in achieving their goals.
Alex Quinlain
Registered Behavior Technician
Alex graduated from Morningside College with a Bachelor of Arts in English. He formerly worked at an alternative school in South Sioux City, NE as a para-educator. He has a passion for working with people of all ages and spends his free time playing with his dogs and toddler.
Cheyanne Dean
Behavior Technician
Cheyanne has a bachelor’s degree in English from Morningside College. She joined the Pier Center in April 2019 after working as a para-educator for three years in the Sioux City Schools. Cheyanne found her passion for working with children with autism in her amazing relationship with her primary student. She is excited to build new relationships in supporting other children with autism. Cheyanne plans to further her education in an autism related field.
Maddie Neal
Behavior Technician
Maddie graduated from Briar Cliff University in May of 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. During her last semester of college, she volunteered in the applied behavior analysis clinic at BCU, where she discovered her passion for working with children with autism. Maddie joined the Pier Center in November of 2019 and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in applied behavior analysis and is accruing her practicum hours at the Pier Center for Autism.
Breanna Fethkenher
Behavior Technician
Breanna joined us in August 2020 and has a Bachelor’s degree in Social work, a minor in Sociology and has a specialization in Child Welfare that she received from the University of South Dakota. Through Breanna’s college career she has also taken courses in Human Development and Family Studies. Breanna has always had a passion for helping people and adores working with children. Breanna is excited to get to explore the world of autism and learn more about children on the spectrum.
James House
Behavior Technician
James graduated from Briar Cliff University with a double major in Psychology and Behavioral Science and joined us in June 2021. He volunteered at Briar Cliff’s pro-bono behavior analysis clinic for two years. There he discovered a passion for working with children and enjoyed being a part of their research team. He’s excited to continue that work here at the Pier Center and eventually plans to continue his education within the field of Behavioral Science and Psychology later down the road.
Melody Tompkins
Behavior Technician
Melody graduated from University of South Dakota in 2013 with a Bachelor of Science in Social Work. She formerly worked at Crittenton Center in the HOPES Program. She has a passion for working with children with autism. Melody is excited to learn more about children on the spectrum. Melody started at the Pier Center in October 2021. Children with autism hold a special place in Melody’s heart.
Shana McKie
Behavior Technician
Shana has a bachelor’s degree in Developmental Psychology and Counseling Psychology from Morningside University. She joined the Pier Center in December 2021 and has always had a passion for working with children. She is excited to further her education and knowledge of children on the spectrum while working at the Pier Center. Her goal is to make a difference in children’s lives while maintaining her purpose in life. Shana is grateful for this opportunity to excel and work with an amazing team!
Vanessa Marquez
Behavior Technician
Vanessa has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Iowa State University. She joined the Pier Center in April 2022. She is excited to work with the kids and watch them grow and improve in their daily tasks.
Tim Walsh
Behavior Technician
Tim joined the Pier Center in May 2022. Tim graduated the University of South Dakota with a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology. Tim has been working with a variety of children for several years and is excited to work with children on the spectrum.
Noelle Rasmussen
Behavior Technician
Noelle graduated from Morningside University with a Bachelor of Arts in counseling psychology. She has always had a passion for working with individuals with autism. She joined the Pier Center in May of 2022 and is excited to continue to learn and grow within this career. Noelle plans to continue her education to gain a Masters degree in therapy where she hopes to further help those with needs.
Sarah Kach
Behavior Technician
Sarah has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a minor in Business Administration from Briar Cliff University. She joined the Pier Center in May of 2022. She is excited to further her knowledge about children on the spectrum. She has always had a passion for helping others and is excited to work with each child at the Pier Center! Her goal is to improve each child’s daily living. Sarah is excited to start her career as a Behavior Technician and is grateful for the opportunity to work with the children and the amazing staff!
Ivan Rojas
Behavior Technician
Ivan has a bachelor’s degree from Briar Cliff University with a major in Criminal Justice and minors in Psychology and Sociology. He joined the Pier Center for Autism in December 2022 after working for 5 years as a Field Investigator for the Department of Defense. He previously worked at Catholic Charities and interned at the Sanford Community Center and is looking forward to returning to working a career dedicated to helping those in need.
Cory Alwais
Behavior Technician
Cory has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Art from the University of Indianapolis. Having joined the Pier Center in January of 2023, they are excited to start working with clients and helping them become their best selves. Cory plans on continuing their education and pursing a Masters degree in art therapy or clinical counseling.
Day Anderson
Behavior Technician
Day has a bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in mass communications from Briar Cliff University. He joined Pier Center in February 2023. He is excited to help and watch the kids excel in their daily tasks.
Kateland Jones
Behavior Technician
Kateland has been an RBT since 2021 and finds true passion in helping children with autism master their goals. She joined the Pier Center in March of 2023 after moving from Indiana to Iowa and is excited to help other children succeed. Children with autism have an extremely important place in her heart and she hopes to have a hand in many more children growing and prospering.
Shelby Onwiler
Behavior Technician
Shelby is a 2023 graduate of Morningside University with majors in biopsychology and counseling psychology and a minor in religious studies. She interned in the spring of the same year and instantly fell in love with the behavior analysis field. Hired in May 2023, she is very excited to learn and work with everybody.
Gabriel Ruiz
Registered Behavior Technician
Gabriel became certified as an RBT in April of 2022. Gabriel has worked with a wide variety of students over the last 3 years. His experience as a reading tutor and youth enrichment specialist has served to ignite a passion for education and joining the Pier Center in August of 2023 has gone above and beyond in fueling that spark. Gabriel is ecstatic to be expanding his skill set and help individuals with special needs to reach and exceed their potential through the implementation of ABA strategies. Gabriel plans to continue his education towards a masters in communications.
Pauntip Bannavong
Behavior Technician
Before joining the Pier Center in September 2023, Pauntip received her bachelor’s degree in General Psychology from Morningside University. She interned for a forensic psychologist during the summer of 2022. There she worked with people of all ages with different intellectual disabilities and found that she likes helping others. She is excited to watch the kids grow throughout their programs. Pauntip plans to continue her education in occupational therapy in a couple years.
Social Skills Team
Jan Turbes
Jan is an Autism and Challenging Behavior Specialist within the tri-state area with immense experience in the areas of assessment and treatment of challenging behavior. Jan works part-time with the Pier Center to support a variety of needs for our clients including challenging behavior and social skills. With over a decade of experience in the fields of behavior analysis and autism, Jan remains one of our biggest advocates for the advancement and continued training of our staff. In addition, Jan was one of the original board members for the Pier Center for Autism.