Meet Your Supervisor

Meet Your Supervisor!

• Alejandra (Alex) Salazar

  

  My name is: Alex Salazar

  My title is: Ankeny Donor Center Supervisor

  Best way to contact me: Text/Call on my cell phone

  Best time to contact me: From 8am-8pm.

  Typical office hours I work: 8am-4pm

  My email address: alejandra.salazar@lifeservebloodcenter.org

  My phone number: 712-490-9377

  My anniversary: 1/25/2021

  Other positions I’ve held here: Donor Specialist I, II, III, Team Lead, Trainer

  Why I love to work here: I always wanted to work in a field that helps people. I am happy to be a part of this mission and helping our community. I struggled to find management in past jobs that cared for their staff and here I found it.

  The best advice I can offer you on your first day: Don’t be discouraged by all the m-files. It seems like a lot and can be overwhelming but with practice you can learn it quickly. We all start somewhere; I would never have moved to my position without my team’s help.

• Amanda (Mandy) Solomon

  

  My name is: Amanda Solomon

  My title is: Donor Services Mobile Supervisor

  My areas of responsibility are: Sioux City Mobiles

  Best way to contact me: By cell phone.

  Best time to contact me: 7am-7pm

  Typical hours I work: 7am-7pm

  Typical office hours I work: 8am-5pm when scheduled an office day

  My email address: amanda.solomon@lifeservebloodcenter.org

  My phone number: 712-574-1990

  My anniversary date: 9/8/2003

  Other positions I’ve held here: DSR all the way up to supervisor on the collections side

  Why I love to work here: I believe in our mission of saving lives.  I also love the relationships you gain with the donors and hearing the stories of how they became of blood donor.

  The best advice I can offer you on your first day: Come willing to learn.

• Amy McKee

  My name is: Amy McKee

  My title is: Donor Center Operations Manager

  My areas of responsibility:  Locust, Urbandale, Ames, Marshalltown, and Sioux City

  Best way to contact me: By cell phone

  Best time to contact me: anytime

  Typical office hours I work: 730am-500pm

  My email address: amy.mckee@lifeservebloodcenter.org

  My phone number: 641-512-0331 (cell) 515-309-4958(office)

  My anniversary date: 11/26/2001

  Other positions I’ve held here: All DS positions

  Why I love to work here:  We help to save lives each and every day.

  The best advice I can offer you on your first day: Do not get overwhelmed.  It will all make sense in time!

• Ashleigh Goepferich

• Carla Lopez

  My name is: Carla Lopez

  My title is: Marshalltown Site Supervisor

  Best way to contact me: Via Email or Call/Text

  My phone number: 515-309-4945 (office) or 641-691-5930 (cell)

  Best time to contact me: Any time of day, I’ll get back to you ASAP.

  Typical hours I work: Marshalltown Operation hours.

  My email address: Carla.lopez@lifeservebloodcenter.org

  My anniversary date: 12/2/2017

  Other positions I’ve held here: I started as a donor Specialist 1 and have worked my way up.

  Why I love to work here: Because we save lives, of course 

  The best advice I can offer you on your first day: Never be afraid to ask question!

• Cassie Hollingshead

  My name is:  Cassie Hollingshead       

  My title is:  Testing and Support Services Supervisor

  My areas of responsibility: Hospital Services Support Services, Des Moines and Omaha Reference, and Omaha Product Management

  Best way to contact me: email or cell phone

  Best time to contact me: anytime! Email if non-emergent but I always keep my cell phone on and can be reached at anytime.

  Typical hours I work: 7:30a-4p  

  My email address: Cassandra.hollingshead@lifeservebloodcenter.org     

  My phone number: 515-229-9957

  My anniversary date: 6/1/2018

  Other positions I’ve held here: Immunohematology Reference Tech and Technical Services Technician

  Why I love to work here:  I love the culture at LifeServe. It is a generally positive environment with a team-oriented approach. The mission of the company resonates with me and I like knowing I am making a positive impact on other’s lives without them even knowing.

  The best advice I can offer you on your first day: There will be a lot of information in the beginning. It may feel overwhelming and that is totally normal but we are all here for you and will not expect you to perform independently until you are comfortable. Just stick with it and I promise it will all fall into place.

  We are so excited to have you on our team!   

• Charlotte Behm

• Dusty Merryman

  My name is: Dusty Merryman

  My title is: Sioux City Donor Center Supervisor

  Best way to contact me: By text

  Best time to contact me: During normal business hours

  Typical hours I work: 6:30am-3:00pm

  My email address:  Dustyne.merryman@lifeservebloodcenter.org

  My phone number: 712-898-7235 (cell)

  My anniversary date: 10/05/1998

  Other positions I’ve held here:  Donor Services Manager

  Why I love to work here: This has been one of the most rewarding jobs I have held.  I not only get to help others (donors/patients), but I get to meet a lot of new donors.  It is also challenging every day with different situations to resolve and upcoming opportunities. 

  The best advice I can offer you on your first day:  Breathe. There is a lot to take in on the first few days, you will not remember it all, but you have us and we will make sure you get to where you need to go. 

• Estela Dunning

  My name is: Estela Dunning

  My title is:  Site Supervisor

  Best way to contact me: By cell phone

  Best time to contact me: Anytime

  Typical hours I work: 8am – 7pm

  Typical office hours I work: 8am – 4:30pm

  My email address: estela.dunning@lifeservebloodcenter.org

  My phone number: 515-309-4916 (office) 641-430-8011 (cell)

  My anniversary date: 02/23/2009

  Other positions I’ve held here: Donor Services, Collections and Distribution (I still work in those areas)

  Why I love to work here: We’re a small family, there is great management, team members and donors

  The best advice I can offer you on your first day:  Take a breath.  You won’t remember everything and there is always someone to ask for help.

• Falishsa Benson

  My name is: Falishsa Benson

  My title is: Site Supervisor

  My areas of responsibility are: The day-to-day operation of the Des Moines Donor Center fixed site blood collection.

  Best way to contact me: Email or phone.

  Best time to contact me: 7am-5pm.

  Typical hours I work: 6:30am-6:00pm Monday- Friday and 7:00am-1:00pm on Saturdays.

  My email address: Falishsa.benson@lifeservebloodcenter.org

  My phone number: 515-309-4973

  My anniversary date: 5/8/2006

  Other positions I’ve held here: Donor services team leader on the mobile team.

  Why I love to work here: The donors and team members are great to interact with, and it’s a very rewarding job.  We really do save lives every day.

  The best advice I can offer you on your first day: Smile, it is a great organization to be a part of.

• Jeff Severson

• Jessica (Jessie) Hoffman

  My name is: Jessie Hoffman

  My title is: Mobile Supervisor

  My areas of responsibility are: Supervising staff and mobile blood drives

  Best way to contact me: Email, call or text

  Best time to contact me: 8am – 5pm

  Typical hours I work: Flex 5am – 9pm

  My email address: Jessica.hoffman@lifeservebloodcenter.org

  My phone number: 712-870-0139

  My anniversary date: 7/9/2007

  Other positions I’ve held here: DS2, DS3 and Team Lead

  Why I love to work here: We save lives EVERY DAY!

  The best advice I can offer you on your first day: Be ready to learn a lot, but don’t get overwhelmed.

• Jordan Butler

  My name is:  Jordan Butler

  My title is:  CI Mobile Supervisor

  My areas of responsibility: DS Mobiles

  Best way to contact me: phone call or text

  Best time to contact me: 7am and 9pm

  Typical hours I work: any time between 7am and 9pm

  Typical office hours I work: 730-430

  My email address: Jordan.Butler@lifeservebloodcenter.org

  My phone number: 515-577-4788

  My anniversary date: 10/18/2021

  Other positions I’ve held here: DS 3, Team Lead, Trainer

  Why I love to work here:  It makes me happy to see how passionate people are about helping their community.

  The best advice I can offer you on your first day:   Take it slow, there is a lot to learn and it can be a little overwhelming. Take every little piece as it comes.

• Katie Stokka

  My name is: Katie Stokka

  My title is: Urbandale Donor Services Supervisor

  Best way to contact me: By cell phone or email

  Best time to contact me: Between 7am – 6pm

  Typical hours I work: 6:30am – 4pm

  My email address: Katie.stokka@lifeservebloodcenter.org

  My phone number: 515-309-4951

  My anniversary date: 11/28/2011

  Other positions I’ve held here: I climbed my way up through the donor services ladder.

  Why I love to work here: I enjoy the mission of LifeServe.  I also love all the people I work with.

  The best advice I can offer you on your first day: Take the initiative and get to know the people you work with.

• Kevin Higdon

  My name is: Kevin Higdon

  My title is: Mobile Supervisor

  My areas of responsibility: Apart from normal DS responsibilities, I supervise the 9-9 staff and some FLEX staff.

  Best way to contact me: Cell phone

  Best time to contact me: Anytime

  Typical hours I work: Anytime between 9am and 9pm

  My email address: Kevin.Higdon@lifeservebloodcenter.org

  My phone number: 301.704.7028

  My anniversary date: 11/23/2015

  Other positions I’ve held here: Exclusively in Donor Services department – DSI, DSII, DSIII, Team Lead, Trainer

  Why I love to work here: Lots of variety in our work and I enjoy working with all of my colleagues

  The best advice I can offer you on your first day: Try not to be overwhelmed with all of the initial information. It’s a lot to digest, but things will make sense soon.

• Krysta Miksik

• Lexi Wolfe

  My name is: Lexi Wolfe

  My title is: Hospital Services Supervisor

  My areas of responsibility: Components, Platelets, and Product Management.

  Best way to contact me: Text or Call

  Best time to contact me: Any daytime hours

  Typical hours I work: 0700-1700

  My email address: lexi.wolfe@lifeservebloodcenter.org

  My phone number: 309-738-0076

  My anniversary date: 6/22/2015

  Other positions I’ve held here: Donor Testing Technician

  Why I love to work here:  Aside from loving the work we do as an organization, I enjoy that no two days ever feel the same.  Things are always changing and evolving and keeping me on my toes!

  The best advice I can offer you on your first day: Don’t hesitate to introduce yourself to a new face!  You can never get to know too many people and you’ll find your new team is eager to help and make your transition into a new role as smooth as possible.

• Lydia Robak

  My name is: Lydia Robak

  My title is: Site Supervisor

  Best way to contact me: Call or text.

  Best time to contact me: Anytime. 

  Typical hours I work: I am available between 8 am to 7 pm. On Fridays and Saturdays I am available 6:30 am- 3:30 pm.

  My email address: Lydia.robak@lifeservebloodcenter.org

  My phone number: 515.230.9494 (cell) or 800.287.4903 ext 4777 (office). My office goes to my cell phone.

  My anniversary date: 10/5/2020

  Other positions I’ve held here: None. I was actually hired for this position.

  Why I love to work here:  I love working with the donors. Their stories on why they started donating are inspiring. I also LOVE to hear how we help recipients in need.  I was previously a lab tech and working in a hospital dealing with patient results wasn’t always fun. This way I can use some of my knowledge to help others.

  The best advice I can offer you on your first day:  It will be overwhelming at first but I promise it will make sense. Have good passwords ready. And just know we have all been in your shoes. Trust the process it will all come together. Welcome to the team. 

• Marena Williams

  My name is: Marena Williams

  My title is: Site Supervisor 1

  Best way to contact me: text

  Best time to contact me: any time after 8

  Typical hours I work: varies. 

  Typical office hours I work: 9-4:30

  My email address: marena.williams@lifeservebloodcenter.org

  My phone number: 319-230-9035

  My anniversary date: 2/24/2014

  Other positions I’ve held here: All DS positions, team lead and trainer

  Why I love to work here: I believe in our mission.  I love what we do collectively as an organization.  Seeing us work more as a team especially with the current pandemic

  The best advice I can offer you on your first day: Be yourself.  Start each day fresh and don’t hold on to the past

• Matt Phongvixay

  My name is: Matt Phongvixay         

  My title is: Donor Services Supervisor

  Best way to contact me: Call/Text, Email

  Best time to contact me: Anytime

  Typical hours I work: Between 6am – 9pm

  My email address: Matt.Phongvixay@lifeservebloodcenter.org

  My phone number: 515-771-8156

  My anniversary date: 2/27/2017

  Other positions I’ve held here: DS1, DS2, DS3, Team Leader and Trainer

  Why I love to work here:  Surrounded by goal-oriented leaders, opportunities for career growth, and the donors!

  The best advice I can offer you on your first day: You will learn a lot about the company and work environment so be sure to ask plenty of questions.

• Micah Riffey

  My name is: Micah Riffey

  My title is: Mobile Supervisor

  My areas of responsibility are: 9 to 9 and Flex

  Best way to contact me: By cell phone

  Best time to contact me: Any time

  Typical hours I work: Generally 9 to 9

  Typical office hours I work: 8:30am-5:00pm

  My email address: micah.riffey@lifeservebloodcenter.org

  My phone number: 712-899-6113

  Start date: 10/15/2007

  Other positions I’ve held here: All DS positions

  Why I love to work here: Every day is different, always working with a different crew and engaging the donors and ensuring they smile at least once throughout their visit with us.

  The best advice I can offer you on your first day: Smile and have fun!

• Rachel Fernandez

  My name is:  Rachel Fernandez

  My title is:  Regional Operations Manager

  My areas of responsibility: Mitchell and Aberdeen

  Best way to contact me: email or cell phone

  Best time to contact me: anytime

  Typical hours I work: 8am-5pm

  My email address: Rachel.fernandez@lifeservebloodcenter.org    

  My phone number: 605-660-4793      

  My anniversary date: 5/14/2012

  Other positions I’ve held here: Territory Representative

  Why I love to work here:  I love the mission and the work we do every day to save lives. 

  The best advice I can offer you on your first day:  You made a great decision to work with LifeServe.  It may seem like a lot of information, but just breathe and know you are going to be saving like with the work you do every single day! 

• Rachael Muhs

  My name is: Rachael Muhs

  My title is: Technical Services Supervisor

  My areas of responsibility:  I ensure all technical services within the department are met.  This includes Quality and training for department, SOP/document creation/control, problem investigation/resolutions, shipping processes, logistics of blood product movement, and maintaining hospital and customer relationships.

  Best way to contact me: Cell

  Best time to contact me: when you need me

  Typical hours I work: M-F 0800-1630

  My email address: Rachael.muhs@lifeservebloodcenter.org

  My phone number: 507-251-2747 (cell)

  My anniversary date: 9/8/2014

  Other positions I’ve held here: Donor Testing Tech

  Why I love to work here: I fell in love with the mission and the culture from the moment I first interviewed.  The stories of employees, volunteers, and donors working together to meet the needs of patients is a testament to the organization.  I’m part of a team that saves lives.  Who wouldn’t love that?

  The best advice I can offer you on your first day: Welcome to the LifeServe team!  I am here to support you to perform your job and meet your goals as part of our Technical Services Team, but don’t forget LifeServe is a team too.  We have great teams in Hospital Services, Donor Services, IT, Human Resources, Public Relations, Facilities, Supplies (the list goes on).  We all work together to save lives so don’t be afraid to make connections outside of our department! 

• Renae Hayworth

• Stacie Wagner

  My name is: Stacie Wagner      

  My title is: Mitchell Mobile Supervisor

  My areas of responsibility are: Answering any questions you may have or letting you know who to contact for the answer, keeping everything running and organized for Mitchell fixed site and mobiles, helping you any way I can and making sure that you are doing your job correctly and to the best of your ability.  I also get you trained with all the skills you need to do your job.

  Best way to contact me: Call or text.

  Best time to contact me:  Anytime

  Typical hours I work: It depends on the day or week because I do work mobiles.

  My email address: Stacie.wagner@lifeservebloodcenter.org

  My phone number: 605-999-1580 (cell) 515-309-4886 (office)

  My anniversary date: 2/20/2006

  Other positions I’ve held here: DSI, DSII, DSIII and Team Leader

  Why I love to work here: I love working with all the donors and staff.  It is very satisfying knowing that we are helping people survive whether from an accident or health issue.

  The best advice I can offer you on your first day: Ask questions and be ready to learn something very REWARDING!

• Stacy Gunderson

  My name is: Stacy Gunderson

  My title is: Mobile Operations Manager

  My areas of responsibility: Des Moines Mobiles, EI Mobiles/HS, Fort Dodge Donor Center and Mobiles, Mason City Donor Center/Mobiles/HS, Pella, Sioux City Mobiles, Yankton

  Best way to contact me: cell phone call or text

  Best time to contact me: any

  Typical hours I work: 5am – 10pm (mobile operation hours)

  Typical office hours I work: 7am – 5pm

  My email address: stacy.gunderson@lifeservebloodcenter.org

  My phone number: 515.309.4921 (office) 319.529.0038 (cell)

  My anniversary date: 8/29/2005

  Other positions I’ve held here: Phlebotomist, Training Coordinator, Mobile Team Leader

  Why I love to work here:  It’s engaging.  Always something new and exciting coming soon. 

  The best advice I can offer you on your first day: Always tell the truth and we can figure out any situation/complaint/error.  And don’t get overwhelmed with all the mFiles tasks.  It gets much more fun on day 3!

• Trisha Anderson

  My name is: Trisha Anderson

  My title is: Hospital Services Supervisor

  My areas of responsibility: Component Manufacturing and Distribution

  Best way to contact me: e-mail or text

  Best time to contact me: 7:00am – 9:00pm

  Typical hours I work: 7:30am – 4:00pm Monday - Friday

  My email address: trisha.anderson@lifeservebloodcenter.org

  My phone number: 712-224-5615

  My anniversary date: 06/27/2011

  Why I love to work here: Great people and mission of the company

  The best advice I can offer you on your first day: Ask questions if you are not sure

• Pella Supervisor

• Amber Allyn

• Shelly Schnell-Petersen