Ministerial Staff:

Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota Conferences

Rev. Roberto Ochoa – Conference Minister

Pronouns: he/him

Rev. Roberto Ochoa serves as the Conference Minister for the Iowa Nebraska South Dakota Conferences (Tri Conference Ministries) of the United Church of Christ.  Prior to his calling as CM, Roberto served as the Minister for Ethnic Inclusion and Congregational Support for Rural and Small Town Churches in the National Ministries of the United Church of Christ in Cleveland, OH.  He served in that capacity for six- and one-half years.

Roberto served as a lay pastor for a small membership church, Lake View Congregational in Worcester MA for seven years. Roberto is a certified congregational leader coach and Our Whole Lives (OWL) Trainer of facilitators for the UCC.  He is an ecumenical collaborator especially with the Evangelical Lutheran Churches of America (ELCA), Presbyterian Church USA (PCUSA), United Church of Canada, Disciples of Christ, United Methodist Church and the Episcopal Church. Roberto also specializes in the vitality and needs of the ethnic identified and congregations of Color, rural and small-town churches and small membership congregations. Roberto is the chair elect for the Rural Church Network (RCN) US/Canada and serves on the board for the International Rural Church Association (IRCA).

Roberto earned his Master of Divinity from Andover Newton Theological School with certificates in Pastoral Care and Social Justice. Roberto is originally from East Los Angeles, CA from Mexican/New Mexican heritage. He is a US Air Force veteran and in his free time, Roberto enjoys being in nature, reading historical/spiritual/science fiction, theatre, and is a foodie always open to trying cuisine from all cultures.

Contact Rev. Ochoa via email or to schedule a time to meet with Rev. Ochoa please contact Kim Springer via email.

Rev. Kendy Miller – Associate Conference Minister

Pronouns: she/her

Kendy serves as a Designated Term Associate Conference Minister for the Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota Conferences. She is a generalist who approaches the work as “one who accompanies” the local churches and authorized ministers in their ministries. She assists with churches in Search and Call, supports Members in Discernment, Iowa’s Conference Committee on Authorized Ministry (CCAM) and assists churches with conflict resolution, general support, and guidance when requested. Kendy is a trained spiritual director which supports her work with congregations and pastors.

Kendy is proud to be a new “Avi” (grandma) and enjoys fishing and being on the water.

Contact Rev. Miller via email or phone at 515.669.5243.

Rev. Corey Larson –  Associate Conference Minister
Committee on Ministry (COM)

Pronouns: he/him

Corey accepted a position as the Emergency Medical Services Director for the city of Iowa Falls. Corey has served throughout the UCC including local church pastor, chair of Committee on Ministry, delegate and then staff at General Synod, and many other positions. Corey considers himself something of a “polity nerd” (his words) and is excited to work with the TCM and our Committees on Ministries.

Contact Rev. Larson via email.

Rev. Jeff Hagaman – Associate Conference Minister
Search and Call

Pronouns: he/him

Jeff Hagaman is a newly retired clergy, having served First Congregational in Crete for 19 years. He lives in Crete, NE with his wife Ann and two dogs. Originally from Illinois, Jeff attended United Theological Seminary and lived in Minnesota for a time. He spends as much time outside as possible.

Contact Jeff via email or phone at 402-826-1187.

Rev. Shonda Deranleau – Resource Deacon

Pronouns: she/her

Reverend Shonda Deranleau has joined our staff as Tri-Conference Resource Deacon. What does a Resource Deacon help with?

Where do I find?   How do I go about?   Who do I contact?

In need of resources that will assist you as clergy and lay leaders or have resources that might be helpful to other clergy and lay leaders? 

Contact Shonda via email or give her a call at 641-344-8948.

Support Staff:

Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota Conferences

Jane Estrada –  Administrative Support

Pronouns: she/her

Jane serves as our Sioux Falls Office connection and supports Ministerial staff in the areas of COM and Search and Call. Jane is the lead on annual reviews and our connection to data hub yearbook reporting. For questions regarding Search and Call resources, practices. Are you a local church seeking leadership or a pastor seeking a call?

Contact Jane via email or via cell phone (605) 774-3530 or through the South Dakota office number (605) 338-8738. 

Kim Springer – Executive Assistant

Pronouns: she/her

Kim is our Des Moines office connection, working in all areas of the business office. Serves as the assistant to Conference Minister, Tri- Conference Executive Committee, Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota Board of Directors.

For assistance or questions on the business side of things, please contact Kim via email or via cell phone at(515) 809-7775. As Kim manages our Des Moines office, you can also reach her through that office phone: (515) 277-6369.

Tami Spindler – Communications Specialist

Pronouns: she/her

Tami will be serving as our Communications Specialist. Do you have information or an event that you need to get communicated on Fast Five or the UCC TCM website? Send it on to her and she will get it shared.

Contact Tami via [email protected] or [email protected].  Be sure and to include the Who, What, Where and Why.

Placerville Camp Staff:

South Dakota Conference

Kerry Steever – Placerville Camp Director

Pronouns: he/him

Kerry manages Placerville Camp operations which include administration, promotion, booking, maintenance, camp program coordination, summer staff recruitment, cooking, and hospitality. Have general questions about Placerville Camp or registration for their events and programs? Contact Kerry via email or phone at 605.342.1390. 

Want to learn more about Kerry’s work at Placerville Camp? Visit the Placerville Camp website or Facebook page.