Staff

Linda Phillips, Executive Director

Linda Phillips has worked in the area of substance abuse prevention and mobilization for 20 years.  She has served as the Executive Director of Siouxland CARES about Substance Abuse since 1990.   

Linda currently serves as community liaison to the Sioux City Mayor’s Youth Commission.  She serves on the Boards of the Partnership for a Drug Free Iowa-Face It Together, Siouxland Council on Child Abuse and Neglect, Comprehensive Strategy Council, Jackson Recovery Centers, National Council on Youth Leadership-Siouxland Chapter, Mercy’s Reality Education Alcohol Program, and the Siouxland Community Health Foundation.  She is past Treasurer of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sioux City and a sustaining member of the Junior League of Sioux City. 

Ms. Phillips earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa, and previously taught at a private business college in Anaheim, California.  From 1989-90, Linda served as the coordinator of the Siouxland Recognition Committee, which was formed to bring together on the anniversary date of the crash, the survivors and families of the victims of United Airlines Flight 232. 

Linda has three married children, twin sons, age 30, a daughter, age 27, and one granddaughter. 

Missy O’Connell-Ackerman, Teen Court Coordinator

Missy has worked at Siouxland CARES for ten years.  As a part-time staff person, Missy coordinates the Dakota County Teen Court Program.  She is reponsible for conducting intakes for Teen Court defendants, case management, and also volunteer coordination for the 50 Teen Court volunteers.

Administrative Assistants

Mary Koster has worked in a part time capacity during the evenings and weekends for Siouxland CARES for the past six years.  Mary is responsible for communication with the members of the Sioux City Mayor’s Youth Commission, correspondence for the National Council on Youth Leadership, as well as many other office duties.

Gay Larson has been a member of the Siouxland CARES’ team for three years as a part-time office assistant.  She coordinates the monthly newsletter, annual Parent Guide, grant reporting, data collection, and many other administrative tasks.