ACES Staff

Chad Caruthers

Executive Director

Prior to being named executive director in February 2010, Chad was ACES' Director of Development & Marketing, where he applied his diverse communication and marketing experience to markedly increase community awareness of ACES. He reminds everyone to become a Facebook Fan of ACES and to follow ACES on Twitter.

Chad has been a full-time ACES staff member since 2006, after serving as a part-time Team Leader during the 2005–06 school year. He was the ACES program coordinator at Cityview Performing Arts Magnet for the 2007–08 and 2008–09 school years, and at Lincoln Community School in 2006–07, both in north Minneapolis.

Chad holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Kansas and a master's of education from the University of Minnesota. His professional background spans casino marketing, book publishing, business communications, and writing and editing for fun and profit. Click here to email Chad.

Jeff Longenecker

Program Quality & Replication Manager

Jeff has a master's in education from Minnesota State University Mankato and joined the ACES team in September 2011 with 17 years experience in education. A founding staff member of Park Spanish Immersion School, his most recent position was as parent involvement specialist at the Minnesota Parent Center, where Jeff used his skills and experiences to build connections between school staff and families to increase student achievement. Jeff has language skills in Spanish and French, and his mission is to ensure every student has the tools and support to achieve his or her goals. He invites you to share in that mission. Click here to email Jeff.

Catherine Maun

Program Coordinator, St. Paul Sites

Catherine joined the ACES staff in 2006 as an AmeriCorps member at Green Central School. She assisted with the start-up of the ACES program at Cityview Performing Arts Magnet program in 2007 and co-led the expansion of the ACES program at Monroe during the 2008-09 school year, then served as site coordinator at Monroe for the 2009-10 and 2010-11 school years. She also oversaw the ACES E-Mentoring Program at Cityview, Green Central, and Monroe. Catherine is a graduate of St. Olaf College, with a degree in English and Family Studies. Click here to email Catherine.

Anna Seifert

Volunteer & Events Coordinator

Anna joined ACES in 2008 as a volunteer tutor/mentor for middle school students at Green Central School. After piloting the ACES Mustaches for Kids fundraiser in 2009, Anna was hired as a part-time Special Events Coordinator. In August 2010, she was promoted to full-time Volunteer & Events Coordinator. Anna is a graduate of the University of Minnesota, with a bachelor's degree in Cultural Studies and Comparative Literature. Because of her passion for the ACES program, she continues to stay involved with students as a volunteer e-mentor. Click here to email Anna.

Mona Anton

Site Leader - Linwood Monroe Arts Plus School, St. Paul

Mona is a new member of our 2012-13 ACES staff. She holds a degree in English Education, Theater and Coaching from the University of Minnesota. Her professional background includes working as a sports camp director, NCAA YES clinic director and Ramsey County Teen Pregnancy Project project coordinator. As an avid supporter of public education, Mona has volunteered in St. Paul Public Schools as a reading tutor, drama club director and Art Adventures Presenter.

Christy Hicks

Site Leader - Jenny Lind Elementary School & Olson Middle School, north Minneapolis

This is Christy's first year working as an ACES Site Leader. Christy graduated from Hamline University in 2011 with a degree in English and Creative Writing. In 2012, she received her teaching license in Communication Arts and Literature grades 5-12. Christy also teaches ESL at Risen Christ Catholic School. She is exited to work with the teachers, students, and families this school year.

Curtis Wilson

Site Leader - Green Central School, south Minneapolis

Curtis is returning for his second year with the ACES team. Before joining the team in 2011, Curtis's passion for youth development brought him into such roles as Sustainability Education Lead, Spanish interpreter, Commnity College professor and Fellow at the Eco-Dialogue Station in Veracruz, Mexico. He has worked with youth from Spain to Costa Rica, Honduras to St. Paul, Minneapolis to Mexico City.

Megan Rhein

Marketing & Communications Intern

Megan joined the ACES staff in January 2013 as a Marketing & Communications Intern. She is currently a student at the University of St. Thomas and will graduate in May with degrees in Justice & Peace Studies, German, and Theology. Megan's passion for education and closing the achievement gap has led to her involvement with numerous tutoring programs including St. Thomas' Tutor-Mentor Program and the Boys & Girls Club of St. Paul. This fall, she will begin the M.A. in Leadership in Student Affairs program at St. Thomas.