Meet Our Staff

Since 1973 Pike-Lincoln Technical Center has served youth and adults within Pike, Lincoln and surrounding counties by providing quality career, technical, and personal enrichment classes. At the heart of quality programs are our personnel.

Brenda Akers serves as PLTC's Executive Administrative Assistant having joined the staff in 2009. A Clopton and Pike-Lincoln Tech Center graduate, Brenda has 20 years of office experience primarily in accounting. She returned to receive her degree in accounting from the University of Missouri-St. Louis and worked most recently as accountant at Daffron & Associates, Inc. in Bowling Green.

Gail Branstetter has served as a Practical Nursing Instructor for over 30 years and was coordinator of the program from 1997 to 2008. Gail became an RN in 1969 and specialized in Obstetrics and Gynecology for nine years before entering the field of education. In 1991, Gail completed her Bachelor's Degree in Nursing.

Mary Cahalin started at Pike-Lincoln in Fall 2010 as a part-time instructor in our Practical Nursing program. She continues in that role as she nears completion of her BSN through Maryville University. Mary worked at DePaul Hospital after becoming an LPN and received her ASN from St. Louis Community College-Meramec in 1982. Since 1989 Mary has worked in the Intensive Care Units at various SSM Hospitals and is currently a Charge Nurse in ICU. She holds Advanced Cardiac Life Support and Trauma Nurse Core Course certification.

Frank Cardinale joined the Pike-Lincoln Tech Center staff in 2009 to handle Building and Grounds Maintenance. He most recently worked for Environmental Systems Products’ Earth City facility where he was Lead Technician before taking over as their Facilities Manager. Frank is a native of St. Peters and moved to Eolia in 2004.

Lori Collins joined the faculty at Pike-Lincoln in 2010 to teach Administrative Business Technology. She brings with her over 13 years of varied office work experience, ranging from an administrative office assistant to that of office manager. Lori earned an Associate degree in Business Management and recently a Bachelor degree in Business Education. She was a K-12 substitute teacher for five years and has volunteered for the GED program both in Troy. In 2002, Lori attended evening class at PLTC to earn a certificate in Microsoft Excel.

Jerry Cox began as the Adult & Community Education / Financial Aid Coordinator in 2001. Jerry previously worked for 27 years in manufacturing and specialized in welding and metal fabrication. He has a Bachelor degree in Business Administration and Management.

Grace Davis serves as an Adult & Community Education/Financial Aid Administrative Assistant. Grace graduated from the Administrative Business Technology program at Pike-Lincoln in 2005. She earned a total of seven different certificates in A.B.T. and Digital Design. Grace so enjoyed her educational experience at PLTC that she chose to join the staff.

Gordon Downs has been teaching the Troy Buchanan High School Building Trades Program since 2005. The program is administered by Pike-Lincoln Technical Center. Gordon has over 25 years of experience as a drywall hanger. He is the owner of the 6-D Drywall Company. Gordon has also served as the Troy R-III middle school wrestling coach for more then 10 years. In addition, Gordon recently completed his Bachelor degree in Education from Missouri Baptist University.

Amber Elliott joined the PLTC staff as a Practical Nursing instructor in 2011. She is a Clopton High School graduate having completed the Health Sciences and Practical Nursing programs at Pike-Lincoln Tech. Amber earned her ADN and BSN from Sanford-Brown and is near completion of her Master Degree in Education and Management. She has work experience in OB/GYN, med/surg telemetry, geriatrics, ICU at Pike County Memorial and St. Joseph West Hospitals. Amber has earned various certifications in the areas of trauma, cardiac, pediatric and emergency care.

Krista Flowers has served as the Director (or principal) of PLTC since 2000. Krista began her career in education as a Biology and Chemistry instructor at Hannibal High School. She then served as Tech Prep Coordinator from 1995-2000. Krista has Bachelor and Master Degrees in Science Education and an Educational Specialist degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis.

Dennis Hale has served as the Computer and Networking Technologies Instructor since 2002. Previously Dennis worked as a Technology Specialist for Wave Technologies in Creve Coeur. In this position he was responsible for preparing students for industry certification exams and developing online training materials for the A+, N+ and other computer certifications. Dennis is a Computer Technology graduate of the Dunwoody Institute, Minneapolis, Minnesota and holds A+, N+, MCSE, and CCNA certifications.

Suzanne Hall has taught various computer classes at PLTC since 1994. Currently she teaches Digital Design. After attending PLTC while in high school at Clopton, she attended St. Charles Community College and received Bachelor and Master Degrees in Business Education from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Fortune Huffman has served as the Technology Coordinator for Pike-Lincoln Technical Center and the Pike County R-III (Clopton) School District since 2001. She previously served as the Librarian/Media Specialist and Technology Coordinator for the Silex School District. Fortune has a Bachelor Degree in Vocational Home Economics and taught in Bowling Green for 11 years.

Kelly Hunt is the Administrative Assistant for the Nursing department as well as Placement Coordinator at PLTC. In 1994 Kelly completed the Office Systems Technology program at Pike-Lincoln while attending Bowling Green High School and has worked at Pike-Lincoln Tech Center since. Kelly earned her Associate Degree from St. Charles Community College.in 2005
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Andy Jolly graduated from Clopton High School and earned his Bachelor Degree from the University of Missouri. He then began his career in the farm machinery sales industry. After nearly a decade Andy left in search of a more rewarding career. He began substitute teaching in 2007 and enjoyed it so much he started to work toward teacher certification. Andy taught in Louisiana for two years before joining the PLTC staff as the Academic Skills Instructor in 2010. He firmly believes you learn something every day and the field of education allows him to both learn and teach.

Walter Logan is the College and Career Coordinator at Pike-Lincoln. He joined the PLTC staff in 2001 and was the Tech Prep Coordinator of the Mid Rivers Tech Prep Consortium through June 2011. Walter spent over 20 of his 25 years in the business sector with Stark Brothers Nurseries in Louisiana largely in the marketing area. Walter has a Bachelor Degree in Economics and Business Administration.

Debbie Madigan grew up in Lincoln County and attended Silex schools. Before joining the Pike-Lincoln Tech Center staff as Health Sciences Clinical Supervisor in 2010, she attended PLTC as a student in the Practical Nursing and IV Therapy classes. She has extensive training in clinical nursing supervision and work experience in hospitals as well as clinical supervisor in a variety of long-term care facilities.

Pam Martin joined the staff at Pike-Lincoln in 2006 as Attendance Counselor. She worked the previous six years as an elementary teachers' aide at Clopton Schools. Pam is a Clopton High School graduate and former student of PLTC.

Charles “Buzz” Mendonsa joined the Pike-Lincoln staff in 2009 as the first instructor of PLTC’s Diesel Technology program. After graduating from Clopton High School, Buzz went on to Nashville Diesel College to study diesel, auto mechanics and welding. His varied experiences include work as a technician and manager of service departments at various dealerships. Buzz has completed specialized training with Allis Chalmers, John Deere, Case IH and Kabota. He is certified as an ASE Master Tech, Electronic Diesel Injection Diagnostics and in alternative fuels
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Neil Oberman has been PLTC’s Welding Technology Instructor since 1997. Neil graduated from Linn State Technical Center with an Associate Degree in Aviation Technology. Previously he was employed in the welding field by Porta King, a small building manufacturer. Neil was also self-employed for several years.

Mary Jane Owens joined Pike-Lincoln Tech Center in 2007 as the Health Sciences Instructor. While attending Clopton High School, she attended the Health Sciences class at PLTC where she obtained her CNA certificate. Upon graduating, Mary Jane earned her Registered Nurse degree at St. Mary's College in O'Fallon. She gained a strong background in ER and Pediatrics at St. Louis Children's Hospital; has worked Med/Surg., ICU, House Supervisor, ER and OB at Pike County Memorial Hospital and has experience in a long-term care facility as well. Most recently, Mary Jane served as Director of Nursing at the Northeast Correctional Center. She has earned certification as Basic Life Support instructor, CNA instructor and examiner.

Chris Schaeffer recently began his formal teaching career at Pike-Lincoln Tech as the Auto Services Tech instructor. He studied two years at the Milwaukee Area Technical College in the field of auto repair. In addition, Chris has attended countless seminars and manufacturers’ (GM, Chrysler, Land Rover, etc.) training sessions. His varied work experience covers virtually every aspect of auto repair from oil changer, technician, parts, service writing, and manager. Chris holds ASE Certification in Advanced Diagnostics, Master Technician, Service Writer, Parts Specialist as well as a couple for heavy-duty trucks.

Dennis “Denny” Stewart started as the Automotive Collision instructor at Pike-Lincoln in 2009. Denny has experience in all aspects of automotive and boat collision repair in some of the largest and best shops in the country. He is ICAR and ASE certified and is a graduate from Automotive Training Corporation of America (ATCOA). In addition, he is factory trained as a SeaRay powerboat hull repair specialist. Denny is working towards his Bachelor Degree in education.

Marshall Suddarth has served as the Building Trades Instructor at PLTC since1987. During that time, Marshall has supervised students in the building of over 20 houses for area residents and a new fire station for Eolia. He is AGC (Associated General Contractors) certified. Marshall worked previously as a supervisor for Morgan Buildings and Empire Gas. Marshall also earned his Bachelor Degree and worked previously as a Driver's Education instructor and coach.

Pam Tipton has served as a Practical Nursing Instructor at PLTC since 1999. Pam completed the Health Occupations program at PLTC and received a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) certificate while in high school. Pam went on to earn her RN and Bachelor Degree. While specializing in Critical Care Nursing at Missouri Baptist Medical Center, Pam became licensed as an examiner for the Missouri Division of Aging for CNA, Med Tech and Insulin Administration. Pam took over as Coordinator of PLTC’s Practical Nursing Program in 2008 while remaining an instructor.

Samantha Utterback (she goes by Sam) joined the Pike-Lincoln staff in 2007 as Guidance Counselor. Upon graduation from Clopton High School, she went on to earn both her Bachelor Degree in Social Work and her Master Degree in School Counseling. Prior to joining PLTC, Sam was a Resource Teacher at Wentzville Middle School.

Stephanie Walker rejoined the Pike-Lincoln staff in 2011 as a part-time instructor in our Practical Nursing program. She received her BSN from Culver Stockton / Blessing-Rieman College of Nursing. In addition to her previous teaching experience at PLTC, Stephanie has experience in the fields of cardiology, med surg/telemetry, public health, diabetes, and chronic disease self-management. She holds certification in Basic Life Support as well as Advanced Cardiac Life Support.

Mary Warren has worked at PLTC since 1997. She began with on-the-job training through the Green Thumb program and currently serves as an administrative aide.