Our Team
WCMCA Leadership Staff

Missy Becker-Cook
Chief Executive Officer
Responsible for the hiring, training, and terminating of Agency personnel. Missy is also responsible for the Employee Handbook, Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity plans and is the Agency Safety Officer. She is responsible for all Agency benefit administration for employees and orientation of all new employees. She is the liaison to the Personnel Committee of the Board of Directors.
Phone
218-685-7063
Email

Heather Carlson
Fiscal Services Director
Responsible for all the financial activities of the Agency. The Fiscal Department receives and pays all invoices, oversees the purchase of equipment and supplies, undergoes an independent annual audit, prepares policy and procedure manuals, and manages the various funds used by the Agency to conduct its business.
Phone
218-685-7032
Email

Kelli Minnerath
Director of Development & Operations
Responsible for planning and development of WCMCA activities, such as seeking out additional resources to expand programming.
Kelli manages the Family Assets for Independence in Minnesota Program in which individuals save money for home purchase, small business, or post-secondary education, which is matched at a rate of three to one.
Phone
320-304-3458
Email

Valerie Arnquist
Head Start Director
Responsible for managing the Head Start Program that is a comprehensive child development program designed for young children and their families in the areas of health, nutrition, social service, parent involvement, and education. The program is designed to serve low-income children and their families.
Phone
218-685-7094
Email

Mandy Braaten
Energy / Housing Director
Responsible for the Energy Assistance, Energy Related Repair, Crisis, Home Weatherization, and Otter Tail Power and Reliant Energy Conservation Improvement Programs (CIPs). These programs assist low-income households with financial help to pay energy costs, provide heating related repairs for emergencies, and provide one-time weatherization grants to reduce home heating costs.
Phone
218-685-7058
Email

Heather Molesworth
Family and Community Services Director
Heather oversees the following Family & Community Services programs which assists individuals and households in their goals of achieving housing, and economic security. Services encourage and assist individuals and families who are working to achieve self-sufficiency and to become stable, strong members in our communities.
Heather is also responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of PLUS (Parents Love Us) Kids Supervised Visitation and Safe Exchange Center located in Alexandria. In addition, she manages the Fathers’ Resource Program serving Douglas County.
Phone
320-304-3458
Email

Joe Niehaus
Affordable Housing Director
Responsible for the Affordable Housing Program, Revolving Loan Program, Emergency Loan Program, and Community Land Trust Program.
Phone
320-304-3458, Ext. 7216
Email