One team. One mission.
Prairie Star Leadership
Get to know the adventurous disciples who have the joy of working at Prairie Star Ranch.
HERE FOR YOUR JOURNEYYear Round Staff
Our full-time staff is on the ground year-round, pouring their hearts into keeping this ministry vibrant, safe, and spiritually alive. We love what we do, and we are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to serve you. From maintaining the property to hospitality and retreat planning, we are here to support your journey and ensure your time at the Ranch is truly transformative.
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Executive Director
Gregory Wellnitz
Gregory is the Executive Director of Prairie Star Ranch, Inc. Since 2008 he as served the mission as a camp counselor, facility manager, and retreats director. He holds a master’s degree in Theology from the Augustine Institute.
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Director of Camp & Advancement
Dcn. Dana Nearmyer
Deacon Dana is the co-director of Camp Tekakwitha, along with his wife, Debbie. He also serves the mission as Director of Advancement. Since 1998, he has serve this mission. He also serves as an adjunct instructor at Benedictine College.
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Director of Retreat Ministry
Tori Echele
Tori joined the Prairie Star family in 2015 as a Retreat Team Missionary. In 2016 she accepted the role of Retreat Coordinator and now serves as the Director of Retreat Ministry. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Communication Disorders from Truman State University.
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Director of Rural Outreach
Angie Bittner
Angie serves as the Director of Rural Outreach, partnering with, listening to, and serving the rural parishes and communities of Northeast Kansas, helping them to create fruitful and life-giving youth ministry opportunities.
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Missionary
Shannen Freeman
Shannen earned a bachelor’s degree in Catechesis and Evangelization from Benedictine College and first came to Prairie Star in 2014 as a camp counselor. In 2016, she began serving as a member of the Retreat Team.
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Missionary
Caroline Hooper
Caroline joined our team in 2021. She has degrees from Loras College in Iowa and has long been involved in the Catholic camping world, with former experience at Catholic Youth Expeditions, and Camp Gray in Wisconsin.
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Missionary
Olivia Schmitz
Olivia joined the Retreat Team in 2025. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Theater Arts from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She is an outdoor adventure enthusiast and one of our amazing Camp Tekakwitha staff alumna.
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Ranch Maintenance
Dale Hutcheson
Dale serves as the Maintenance Technician for Prairie Star Ranch. He boasts a background in a wide variety of technical fields, plays a mean guitar, and proudly served our country in the United States Navy.
Behind every adventureCamp Tekakwitha Leadership Team
Behind every week of Camp Tekakwitha is a team of leaders who love this ministry and believe deeply in its mission. They invest in our staff, care for our campers, and work together to create an experience where faith, fun, and friendship come together in life-changing ways.
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Director
Dcn. Dana Nearmyer
Deacon Dana is the Director of Camp and Advancement at Prairie Star Ranch and helped found Camp Tekakwitha in 1998. A permanent deacon of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, Dana has spent decades helping young people and families encounter Jesus Christ through camp, retreats, and Catholic ministry.
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Director
Deborah Nearmyer
Deborah is the Vice President of Faith and Mission at St. James Academy in Lenexa, where she has helped shape the school's Catholic identity since its founding. She helped found Camp Tekakwitha in 1998, and has dedicated her life to forming young people in faith and creating environments where they can encounter Christ through authentic community and joyful discipleship.
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Assistant Director
Allie Foster
Allie grew up in Wichita, Kansas, and graduated from Benedictine College with degrees in Elementary and Special Education. After serving in Residence Life and teaching for seven years, she now stays home with her son. Each summer, she returns as an Assistant Director, helping campers encounter Christ through the joy and mission of Camp Tekakwitha.
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Assistant Director
Drew Foster
Drew grew up in St. Louis and is a graduate of Benedictine College. He teaches at St. James Academy in Lenexa, where he also serves as Dean of St. Teresa Community. Drew and his wife, Allie, were engaged at Prairie Star Ranch and have faithfully served as Assistant Directors of Camp Tekakwitha since 2013.
Faithfully stewarding Prairie STar's MissionBoard of Directors
Prairie Star Ranch is governed by an independent Board of Directors composed of Catholic leaders from across the Archdiocese. Together they safeguard the mission, steward the organization's resources, and help ensure Prairie Star remains faithful to its purpose for generations to come.
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Board Chair
Laurence Freeman
Laurence has dedicated his career to stewardship and development, serving Catholic and healthcare organizations through visionary leadership and philanthropy. As the parent of a Prairie Star staff member, he has experienced the ministry from both a professional and personal perspective.
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Vice-Chair
Curt Koutelas
Curt brings a career in construction and project management, offering practical leadership and a passion for building organizations that serve others well. His commitment to Prairie Star reflects a desire to help shape a place where young people encounter Christ for generations to come.
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Secretary / Treasurer
Carla Mills
serves as Chief Financial Officer for the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, bringing decades of executive leadership and financial stewardship in service to the Church. For more than fifteen years, she has been a trusted advisor and partner in Prairie Star's spiritual and financial health.
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Vice President
Fr. Mike Hawken
serves as Vicar General for the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas and has long been a trusted advocate for Prairie Star Ranch. His support has helped strengthen the ministry's mission and its service to the Church across northeast Kansas.
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Assistant Secretary
Harold Bradley
Harold has spent his career in finance and investment, pairing strategic insight with the heart of a storyteller. Having been involved with Prairie Star since its earliest days, he has watched generations of campers and staff—including his own family—grow through its ministry.
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Assistant Treasurer
James Ney
James has built his career in investment management and financial advising, helping organizations and families plan wisely for the future. His family's deep connection to Camp Tekakwitha spans generations of campers, staff, and Family Camp participants.
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Board Member
Nicole Zacharias
Nicole is a devoted wife, mother, parishioner, and community leader with a passion for strengthening families and the local Church. As the mother of Camp Tekakwitha campers and staff members, she knows firsthand the impact of Prairie Star's ministry.
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Board Member
Mike Mahoney
Mike has devoted his life to building and stewarding Catholic schools and ministries, helping generations encounter Christ through education and formation. As a grandfather of campers, staff members, and retreat participants, he has witnessed Prairie Star's impact across generations.
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Board Member
Joe Falco
Joe is a lifelong entrepreneur and one of Prairie Star Ranch's greatest historians, helping locate and acquire the property that became Prairie Star Ranch. He continues to champion its mission with the same vision and dedication that marked its beginning.
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Board Member
Mary Thompson
Mary is a faithful servant of the Church whose leadership is rooted in family, generosity, and parish life. Her family's involvement as campers and staff has given her a deep appreciation for Prairie Star's mission of forming young disciples.
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Board Member
Stuart Symmonds
Stuart has enjoyed a distinguished career as an attorney while faithfully serving his parish and community. As a Family Day participant with future campers in his family, he is invested in Prairie Star's future for generations to come.
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Board Member
Susan Stallbaumer
Susan is a longtime evangelist, catechist, and real estate professional whose heart for discipleship has blessed her parish and community. As a grandmother of campers and a longtime Director of Religious Education, she has encouraged countless young people to attend camp, retreats, and Rural Outreach programs.
Contact Us Today
We would love to hear from you! If you have any questions about Prairie Star, our facilities, or our programs, please don't hesitate to reach out. Fill out the form below with your details, and a member of our ministry team will get back to you as soon as possible.