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Employee Newsroom

TECH, Hutchinson, KS

Promoting Independence, Creativity and Self-Worth

TECH is about people— both those we serve and the team itself. We are passionate about personal well-being and do everything possible to help each person succeed. By combining our unique backgrounds and experience, the TECH team promotes the independence, creativity, and self-worth of every client.

Meet Our Leadership Team

Kevin Hess President/CEO

Kevin Hess

President/CEO
“I like working at TECH because of the mission, diversification, the challenges of my position and the people. It is a place people share a culture of kindness, diversity and integrity.”
  • serving since
    Serving TECH Since:

    2018

  • Pillar
    Favorite TECH Pillar:

    Connection, because the willingness to share, contribute and help each other is an important facet of lasting relationships. Perhaps the most important thing you ever do in life is build and maintain long-term, happy, healthy, fulfilling relationships with other people.

  • fun facts icon
    Fun Facts:
    • Enjoys fishing and hunting
    • Loves spending time with family
    • Bleeds purple (go Wildcats!)
Aly Spradling Vice-President of Human Resources

Aly Spradling

Vice-President of Human Resources
“I love the team approach at TECH. By utilizing a variety of employee talents, ideas and experiences, our clients truly receive the best of the best.”
  • serving since
    Serving TECH Since:

    2016

  • Pillar
    Favorite TECH Pillar:

    Connection, because relationships provide an individual support system: someone to celebrate with, someone to provide a hand when you’ve had a tough day and someone to simply be yourself around.

  • fun facts icon
    Fun Facts:
    • Loves to spend time and make memories with family
    • Enjoys celebrating new personal records during CrossFit Workouts of the Day
    • Has lots of purple in the office (go Wildcats!)
    • Favorite place is where she grew up in Northeast Kansas—especially during harvest
Lacey Mills Vice-President of Marketing and Foundation Development

Lacey Mills

Vice-President of Marketing and Foundation Development
“TECH feels like home! The people we serve can make a rainy day shine bright. I feel fortunate to be a part of this team and our mission here at TECH!”
  • serving since
    Serving TECH Since:

    2016 and 2021

  • Pillar
    Favorite TECH Pillar:

    Connection, because the people are what make TECH so special! The connection that we are fortunate enough to have with the people we serve, our team members and the community is what makes walking through the doors each day so enjoyable.

  • fun facts icon
    Fun Facts:
    • Best memories are made with her husband and son
    • Enjoys lots of laughs with her girlfriends and family!
    • Has eight goats at her house and is the self-proclaimed “crazy goat lady”!
    • Loves to travel to new as well as familiar places
    • Feels the most fulfilled when I’m being creative

    !

Angela Penner Director of Supports and Services

Angela Penner

Director of Supports and Services
“I enjoy working with so many unique people with diverse backgrounds and perspectives. I learn something new every day!”
  • serving since
    Serving TECH Since:

    2005

  • Pillar
    Favorite TECH Pillar:

    Connection, because building relationships with others and connecting to the community is crucial to leading a fulfilled life.

  • fun facts icon
    Fun Facts:
    • Loves watching her children participate in sports and other activities
    • Enjoys reading
    • Jigsaw and word puzzle expert
Misty Isley Controller

Misty Isley

Controller
“Since day one with TECH, I’ve felt like a part of the team. I am grateful to work for this inclusive organization!”
  • serving since
    Serving TECH Since:

    2021

  • Pillar
    Favorite TECH Pillar:

    Connection means the most to me. While all are important, I think relationships with our peers, family and community make us all better! We can learn from each other and grow together.

  • fun facts icon
    Fun Facts:
    • Loves taking pictures
    • Reads (A LOT)!
    • Spend most free time with her mom and sister (road trips with them are the best!)
Patty Clark Staff Trainer

Patty Clark

Staff Trainer
“I love the feeling when a client or staff member hits their stride, overcomes a barrier or has an ‘ah-ha!’ moment.”
  • serving since
    Serving TECH Since:

    1983 and 1998

  • Pillar
    Favorite TECH Pillar:

    Creativity, because I want our lives to be more than paying bills. I want to see color where color should be and hear silence when silence is necessary. I want those we serve and work with to challenge themselves to be a source of joy, support and inspiration to themselves and others. That takes creativity. It’s challenging, frustrating and pushes us to the limit, but it’s also worth it.

  • fun facts icon
    Fun Facts:
    • Enjoys cooking
    • Fan of bar-room blues and rockabilly music
    • Likes Pinterest
    • LOVES a Tulsa restaurant called Kilkenny’s
    • Enjoys fall weather and beautiful red maple leaves
    • Sings as a soprano
Andrea Delgado Manager of Health Services

Andrea Delgado

Manager of Health Services
“While I am still relatively new to TECH, the thing I have enjoyed the most is meeting and interacting with the clients.”
  • serving since
    Serving TECH Since:

    2021

  • Pillar
    Favorite TECH Pillar:

    Self-Worth, because I believe all persons deserve and desire dignity. I hope, through my work, I can add value for both my colleagues as well as the clients we serve.

  • fun facts icon
    Fun Facts:
    • Loves to travel and experience new people and destinations, with a recent trip to attend the Women’s World Cup in France.
    • Enjoys listening to podcasts.
Chara Kemerling Manager of Service Coordination/Health Homes

Chara Kemerling

Manager of Service Coordination/Health Homes
“TECH is more than a job; it’s a family working together to build a better community. I couldn’t be prouder to be a part of TECH and our mission!”
  • serving since
    Serving TECH Since:

    2008

  • Pillar
    Favorite TECH Pillar:

    Creativity, because I think creativity is what drives people, and I enjoy thinking outside the box. I also enjoy watching the people we serve develop their own artistic abilities.

  • fun facts icon
    Fun Facts:
    • Enjoys cooking
    • Loves to travel to new places
    • History/archaeology buff
Kathy Meyer Manager of Administrative Services

Kathy Meyer

Manager of Administrative Services
“I am honored to serve at TECH! Being able to learn and grow each day because of the amazing TECH team and clients is truly a blessing.”
  • serving since
    Serving TECH Since:

    2016

  • Pillar
    Favorite TECH Pillar:

    Self-Worth, because I love to watch the amazing transformation when individuals begin to realize their worth.

  • fun facts icon
    Fun Facts:
    • Loves to read
    • Loves to spend time with her family and four grandkids
    • Participates on worship team at church
    • Enjoys K-LOVE radio station
Nathan Porter Manager of Work Services

Nathan Porter

Manager of Work Services
“The opportunity to work at TECH has been life-changing, to say the least. The clients we serve are amazing! I never knew that I could enjoy a job so much until I started here. I have built a great relationship with the clients and look forward to seeing them every day. I wouldn't be where I am without my awesome staff and the mentoring from Kevin Hess and Billie Redd. They are a great group of people that have welcomed me with open arms. I am blessed to have them all.”
  • serving since
    Serving TECH Since:

    2020

  • Pillar
    Favorite TECH Pillar:

    Connection and Self-Worth, because I believe those go hand-in-hand. Making a connection with the clients helps provide them with self-worth. I attempt to make connections with all of the clients that we serve and to learn as much as possible about them to build relationships. I enjoy spending time with the clients and getting to know them

  • fun facts icon
    Fun Facts:
    • Enjoys spending time with his wife, Cassie, and their combined three children
    • Has three dogs, two cats, two crested geckos and two guinea pigs
    • Hosts foreign exchange students
    • Enjoys watching movies and collecting comic books
Dorinda Simmons Manager of ALS/Special Projects

Dorinda Simmons

Manager of ALS/Special Projects
“I enjoy working for TECH—it’s a good place to be. I appreciate the values instilled in our services, designed to help each person served to be as independent as possible and to enjoy life in every aspect possible.”
  • serving since
    Serving TECH Since:

    1996

  • Pillar
    Favorite TECH Pillar:

    Creativity, because it’s a way to encourage self-expressionism for our clients, and it helps all of us to look at things from a different perspective (something that I find very refreshing).

  • fun facts icon
    Fun Facts:
    • Enjoys nature and animals
    • Loves Christian music
    • Has donated her hair on several occasions to help make wigs for people who’ve lost their hair due to cancer treatment
Jim Suppes Maintenance Manager

Jim Suppes

Maintenance Manager
“I really enjoy being around the people we serve, being a part of their happiness and watching them grow.”
  • serving since
    Serving TECH Since:

    1994

  • Pillar
    Favorite TECH Pillar:

    Self-Worth, because there is nothing more rewarding than witnessing those we serve succeed in the jobs they do at the workshop. Being around them has helped me with my own self-worth by knowing I have chosen the right career.

  • fun facts icon
    Fun Facts:
    • Feels teaching classes at TECH have helped him overcome shyness
    • Married to his high school sweetheart from more than 30 years ago
    • Took toys apart as a child, just to see how they work
    • Enjoys working in his shop at home, building and fixing things
Ciera Tiedtke Manager of Residential Services

Ciera Tiedtke

Manager of Residential Services
“I love to say I GET to come to work at TECH. I love to see the clients every day and I'm super glad they allow me to care for them! ”
  • serving since
    Serving TECH Since:

    2003

  • Pillar
    Favorite TECH Pillar:

    We strive to teach our clients independence and when they get to accomplish something small or large, it’s a big deal to them and us. Seeing each person gain more independence is one of the best parts of my job!

  • fun facts icon
    Fun Facts:
    • I absolutely love spending time with my family anything they want to do I want to do
    • I enjoy decorating my house for every holiday sometimes to early
    • I’m extremely terrified of snakes it gives me anxiety to even talk about it.
    • I can’t watch TV without falling asleep