Chris Sparks Celebrates 25 Years with EPI

posted on Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Join us in congratulating Chris Sparks, Executive Director, on celebrating 25 years with EPI!

Chris came to us on October 1, 1991, with experience working as a “house parent” or what we today call a direct support professional, with his wife Rusti back in St. Joseph, Missouri. It was there that he worked his way up to becoming the Executive Director and accomplished his Master’s degree in Public Administration - with an emphasis in non-profit management.

Diane Holmes said, “I met Chris his first day at EPI, I was one of the first people Chris supervised in my role as Director of MS Services Program. My work with Chris is just a fraction of what Chris has contributed to assure quality services are accessible for people with disabilities, in the Cedar Valley, the state of Iowa, and around the nation.”

Following Gary Mattson, Chris became EPI’s third Executive Director of EPI on January 1, 1998.

Later Chris completed a Master’s Degree in Social Work, became a licensed social worker, and became a certified facilitator of Franklin Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Signature Workshop.

Strategic planning is something that happens here at EPI and is taken seriously due to his leadership. It’s not just a plan, but a living document. 

“I’ve come to admire Chris’s dedication to EPI and his ability to demonstrate integrity in his everyday work practices.” - Bonnie Kipper, Program Director.

His vision and leadership keeps us moving forward proactively ensuring EPI is well prepared for changes that continue to occur in our field.

“He works hard to get to know you as a person and develop a relationship with you. That always reminds me he is a great leader who truly cares about the people he works with.” - Mary Janssen, Children and Family Services Director.

There is no doubt in our minds that Chris is one of the most passionate people in our field. 

Thank you for your service, Chris!