Our Wonderful Staff
Jen Red Bear
Jen Red Bear
Executive Director
Phone: 605-718-1930
Email: jen@wril.org
Jen Red Bear is the Executive Director of Western Resources for Independent Living. Jen has worked for Western Resources for Independent Living for a combined 4 years, she was the Independent Living Specialist in Pierre before she was promoted to the Adult Day Manager in Rapid City. Jen worked as a Direct Care Counselor and The Little Girls Wing Supervisor for The Pierre Indian Learning Center for a combined 8 years in Pierre, SD. Jen has 19 years of experience working with youth, elderly and people with disabilities in general.
Jen graduated from Cheyenne River Community College/Northern State University in May 1997 with an Associate Degree in Social Services.
Codi Erickson
Codi Erickson
Finance Director
Phone: 605-718-1930
Email: financemanager@wril.org
Hello, my name is Codi and I have lived in Rapid City my entire life. After working in the accounting field for 10 years, I have obtained my Bachelor's Degree and am currently working on my Masters'. My family, extended family and I love spending time together outdoors with our horses and competing in rodeos. I am excited to be working for WRIL and assisting them be the best company we can be!
Kelan Timm
Kelan Timm
Administrative Assistant
Phone: 605-718-1930
Email: kelan@wril.org
My name is Kelan Timm, I was born and raised in Rapid City, South Dakota. I graduated from Central High School class of 2014. I like to watch football specifically the Broncos, Vikings, and Notre Dame. I also enjoy spending time with my wife and son, pro wrestling, friends, and the great outdoors. I started with Western Resources as part of youth transitions about 6 years ago, I love my job!
Misty Willey
Administrative Assistant- Rapid City
Phone: 605-718-1930
Email: misty@wril.org
Hello, my name is Misty. I am a mother of 3 and a wife. My husband and I like outdoor activities which consume a lot of our time. I have worked in homes with people with disabilities and those who use wheelchairs and their families. I support and encourage independence as long it is safe and obtainable.
Lou Straub
Lou Straub
Independent Living Specialist-Rapid City
Phone: 605-718-1930
Email: lou@wril.org
Louetta Straub, aka “Lou”, likes her working career to revolve around assisting people of all ages and disabilities on their path to lifelong independence which is why she works at Western Resources for Independent Living as an Independent Living Specialist. It is her vision for people who need assistance, and for those people who can assist, to master the challenge.
Lou grew up in the eastern part of Montana (where she felt she never quite fit in), then graduated from the University of Dickinson State taking up teaching as a career after majoring in Education.
Once moving to Rapid City, SD, (where she finally started to feel like she fit in) her “living life to the fullest” revolves around friends, family, plus spiritually guiding her two treasured, young grandsons.
Tina Meyer
Tina Meyer
Independent Living Specialist-Rapid City
Phone: 605-718-1930
Email: tina@wril.org
Tina has been an employee of Western Resources for Independent Living since September 2015. She has two daughters and three granddaughters. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with family and friends, hiking with her three dogs, geocaching, and volunteering.
Linda Williams
Linda Williams
Independent Living Specialist-Spearfish
Phone: 605-718-1930
Email: linda@wril.org
Linda has a Bachelor of Science Degree from Black Hills State University with a double major in Education/Special Education and a minor in Psychology. She has 30 plus years of experience assisting people with all disabilities in achieving their dreams. Linda has served on many state committees working towards quality of life and improvement of services for people with disabilities. She received the Simply the Best Award from the Association of Community Based Services in 1997. Linda's background includes Person Centered Thinking and Behavior Intervention Strategies. She specializes in Social Security disability claims in her current role at WRIL. Linda lives in Spearfish, is married, has 2 daughters, and 7 grandchildren.
Candy Hackett
Independent Living Specialist-Pierre
Phone: 605-718-1930
Email: candy@wril.org
Candy comes from a long back ground of working in education and employment. She has 3 sons and enjoys going to all their sporting and school events. She looks forward to working at Western Resources for Independent Living.