Meet Our School Board
Abbie Loyd
President
Abbie Loyd was born and raised in Iowa, moving from Northeast Iowa to Central Iowa after college. She and her husband Tanner have three children: Makenna (14), Hadley (4) and Hayden (2). For several years, she has been an active parent in schools serving as PTA Vice President while Makenna was in Elementary School and then again when Hadley started PreK. Abbie holds a BA in Business Administration from the University of Northern Iowa and a minor in Psychology. She has over 17 years' experience in Project Management and Business Execution Consultation. That experience extends across a variety of business strategies to support organizational development, successful operations, corporate sustainability, strong financials, and competitive technology. She has also served several years as a Fundraising Committee Chair for Youth Emergency Shelter and Services (YESS) in Des Moines. Abbie brings experience to collaborate amongst staff, parents and community members to support the overall mission of Strong Roots Christian School. She is excited for what God has done for our school and all that is to come. She truly believes that we need to hear from many voices and gain several perspectives in order to thrive, but to always remain focused to His word.
Tallis Strub
Vice President
Tallis Strub is an Indianola native. She recently returned to her family's farm with her husband Tyler, and their three children. Since graduating from Iowa State University, she has been steadily growing her skills as an entrepreneur and business owner. She is the current owner of Des Moines Ballroom dance studio in Des Moines, and a professional Ballroom dance choreographer and coach. Tallis and her family are members of Cottage Grove Church in Des Moines, where she is actively involved in their kids and marriage ministries. Tallis hopes to continue to faithfully follow Jesus in her dedication to the mission of Strong Roots Christian School, and she is honored to serve on its Board of Trustees.
Deb Segebart
John Johnston
Deb grew up on a dairy farm in Mayville, North Dakota, and moved to Indianola in 1995. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Upper Iowa University. Deb retired from the Army October 2021 after more than 36 years of service where she directed key initiatives in organizational administration, financial management, logistics,
quality assurance, and senior personnel leadership.
She retired from civil service with the Federal Government in 2012 after more than 27 years. Her federal career encompassed Finance and Quality Assurance Officer, Purchasing and Contract Specialist and Staff Administrator. She recently retired as a County Veteran Service Officer for Warren County. Deb and her husband, Emil, raised five children on a farm southwest of Indianola and are blessed with 13 grandchildren.
Deb was previously involved in Christian education, beginning with Warren County Christian School and Victory Christian Academy. She served multiple terms on the school boards. She was part of the organization committee for Strong Roots and is blessed to witness Gods work with His school.
John grew up on the Southside of Des Moines, Iowa, and is a proud graduate of Dowling Catholic High School. Following high school, he served in the United States Marine Corps, where he developed a strong foundation in discipline and leadership. After his time in the Marines, John worked in the heating and cooling industry in Bradenton, Florida, before he and his wife, Shannon, returned to Iowa. He spent over a decade in the HVAC field before transitioning into fleet services with the State of Iowa, where he gained valuable experience in vehicle and asset management.
These diverse professional experiences led John to a career in facilities management. He currently serves as the Director of Facilities and Operations at Edgewater, a WesleyLife Community, where he oversees operations with a heart for service and excellence.
John and Shannon have five children and have been actively involved as foster and adoptive parents. Their family lives on a small hobby farm and are active members of Indianola Freedom Fellowship Church, where John serves on the church safety team. He is also a member of the Indianola Elks Lodge and American Legion Post 165 and plays an active role in Lighthouse Community Center, where Shannon serves as Director.
John is passionate about the value of Christ-centered education. He believes that God entrusts us with each child to nurture their God-given potential and help them grow in faith, character, and knowledge in the way they learn best.
Leslie Myler
Leslie and her husband, Cory, moved to Indianola in 2017 from downstate Illinois. They are proud to call Indianola home and are actively involved in the community. Both of their children attend SRCS. Leslie and Cory attend Indianola Community Church and enjoy being involved in kids and youth ministry and serving their church and community.
Leslie received her BS in Court Reporting with a minor in Paralegal Studies. She has worked in administrative law for over ten years, with extensive experience and a focus on state regulatory and licensing boards as well as freelance legislative and policy support to legislators, assisting with research and the drafting and refinement of proposed policies and legislative language.
Leslie is honored to have the opportunity to serve SRCS and is committed to helping support the school’s mission. She believes every child is uniquely created in the image of God and has been given gifts and abilities for a purpose and is passionate about supporting an environment where students are encouraged to discover and develop those gifts. Through her service on the board, Leslie hopes to help strengthen the foundation SRCS provides for its students and support the school as it equips them to carry Christ with them into their families, communities, and future generations.
Katie Smith
Katie Smith lives with her husband, Colby, and their four daughters on a cattle farm south of Indianola. Having both attended Catholic school from kindergarten through high school, Katie and Colby are grateful for the opportunity for their children to experience faith-based education at SRCS.
Katie holds a bachelor’s degree in Athletic Training from Simpson College and a PhD in Interdisciplinary Nutritional Sciences from Iowa State University. She spent more than 15 years in higher education as a tenured faculty member, researcher, advisor, and academic leader, including the role of Director of Honors Education at Simpson College, where she led curricular and co-curricular initiatives focused on academic excellence, leadership, and personal growth. She was instrumental in developing a curriculum partnership between Simpson College and Mercy College of Health Sciences, and has contributed to professional committees and continuing education initiatives for the American College of Sports Medicine. She now owns and operates FourGen Wellness, a functional health and nutrition practice.
As both an educator and a parent, she values academic excellence and believes students thrive when education also develops strong character, faith, confidence, and resilience. She is grateful to serve SRCS and support its partnership with families in helping students grow as children of God that contribute meaningfully to the world around them.
Steven Sereg
Treasurer
Steven Sereg grew up on a farm south of Indianola. Currently he, his wife and two children reside in the same area on an acreage. Steven has worked as a mechanic at his family's business for nearly 20 years and hopes that one day, one or both of his children will want to keep the family business going. He and his family attend Bethel Chapel where Steven serves as a trustee for the Church. Steven believes that education is not just about academic excellence but also about shaping young minds to live with purpose, integrity, and faith. Steven is a very versatile individual with a wide range of skills as well as a problem-solving mindset and hopes he can bring these practical skills to the school board. He is a committed believer in Christ, and is honored to have the opportunity to serve on the board of Strong Roots Christian School and is excited to contribute to the mission of the school.
Dawn Hersilius
Dawn is originally from Norwalk and moved to Indianola in 2019. She attended barber school while completing her senior year of high school and graduated shortly after her high school graduation. After working in salons for over 10 years, Dawn went DMACC and received her Paralegal degree in 2004. She worked for various financial institutions, working in mortgage loan origination and compliance. In 2013, Dawn went back to work for a major financial institution and currently works in compliance risk, ensuring regulatory compliance for the company. She and her husband, Ted, have been married for 32 years. In addition to their 7-year-old son who attends Strong Roots, they have two grown sons. Dawn has been an active member of the PAC, most recently acting as PAC Secretary, and is known for making special treats for her son's class for most holidays. In addition to her involvement with the school, Dawn was a founding board member for the Indianola Downtown Farmers Market. Dawn is excited to serve on the board of Strong Roots Christian School and is looking forward to being a part of furthering Christian education in Warren County.
Secretary
Cody Ries
Cody Ries was born and raised on the Southside of Des Moines, attended and graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School. Cody met his wife and high school sweetheart Christine his junior year. They have been together 22 years, married for 17, and built their family through adoption. They are the proud parents of Joe, Case, Nevaeh, Lydia, and Ariella. Three of their children currently attend SRCS.
Cody has always had a natural talent for music and technology, along with hobbies that include firearms, classic cars, motorcycles, ATVs, dirt bikes, and gaming. He owns Life’s A Dance DJ, where he officiates, DJs, and MCs weddings and events — a role that allows him to serve families during meaningful milestones with joy, excellence, and ministry‑minded purpose.
He attended DMACC and earned an AAS in Networking and Telecommunications. He currently serves as a Supervisor of Regional Operations, overseeing teams, infrastructure, and mission‑critical network reliability. Cody has also completed training through the School of Biblical Evangelism.
Cody believes deeply that now more than ever, children need Christ‑centered education and desires to see his children — and all Strong Roots students — grow into young men and women who carry the Spirit of Christ within them and boldly live out their faith. Proverbs 22:6:
“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”