BOARD OF DIRECTORS & STAFF

David M. Stanley - Chairman, Chief Executive Officer

Jeffrey R. Boeyink - Vice Chairman

Dr. Don Racheter - President

Edward D. Failor, Jr.

I. Maurene Failor

Charles C. Espy, Jr.

Robert H. Solt - Treasurer

Andrea Failor - Secretary

Institute Staff

Dr. Don Racheter - Chief Operating Officer

Dr. Richard Wagner - Senior Fellow

Amy Frantz - Senior Research Analyst

John Hendrickson - Research Analyst

Deborah Thornton - Research Analyst

Ellen Racheter - Research Analyst

Madeline Swailes - Administrative Assistant

More About Our Staff

Dr. Don Racheter - Chief Operating Officer

• Graduated from the University of Michigan with a BA in Political Science and from the University of Iowa with an MA and PhD in Political Science.
• Taught Political Science for four years at the University of Iowa, and for twenty nine years at Central College.  Directed Pre-Law Program and Coached Mock Trial for twenty one years at Central.
• Married to Ellen, they have four grown children:  Kelley Kimm, Annalese Racheter, Alena Racheter Furlong, and D.P.B. "Chip" Racheter.
• Enjoys politics, reading, and travel.

Amy Frantz - Senior Research Analyst

• Graduated from Central College with a BA in Political Science.
• Amy has one cat named Shadow.
• Enjoys traveling, reading, volunteering for Midwest Central Railroad, and serving as the Foundation Chair in a local chapter of Rotary International.

John Hendrickson - Research Analyst

• Graduated with a BA and MA in History from the University of North Dakota.
• Research interests include the American conservative movement and American Political and Constitutional History.
• Enjoys hunting, fishing, collecting political campaign pins, reading, baseball, and spending time with family and friends.

Deborah Thornton - Research Analyst

• Graduated from Indiana University, earning a BA degree with a double major in Journalism and Political Science, and from the University of Maryland with a Masters of Business Administration.
• Research Interests include education policy, rural development, small business management, and agriculture regulation. Held senior positions as a political appointee at OSHA in the U.S. Labor Department, as a technology transfer specialist at Los Alamos National Laboratory, and as an aide to New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson and the New Mexico State Senate. Was a retail small business owner for almost six years.
• Other interests include political campaign strategy and election fraud, elder volunteerism, and youth development; especially in the area of music education.

Ellen Racheter - Research Analyst

• Graduated from Indiana State University, Terre Haute, with BS and MS in Education.

• Graduated from Christian Theological Seminary, Indianapolis, with MDiv.
• Served churches in Indiana, Illinois, and Iowa.
• Enjoys reading, traveling, films, and playing cards and board games. 

Madeline Swailes - Administrative Assistant

• Graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School and Continuing Education courses though Southeastern Community College.
• Married to husband Jim, they have three grown children and four grandchildren.
• Enjoys counted cross stitch, needle work, reading, grandchildren, and traveling.