Executive Director
Curt Knouse

Curt Knouse joined the staff of IHS as Executive Director in October 2019. He has a B.S. in Economics and a minor in Business from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, and certification in non-profit management from the National Executive Institute in Dallas, Texas.

Curt knows that building relationships and raising money are key to leading a strong nonprofit. His education and training in marketing, accounting, and human resources also have been invaluable throughout his career. He has more than 20 years of experience in fundraising, program development, and volunteer management. Prior to joining IHS, he served with several nonprofit organizations including The Juniata Council of the Boy Scouts of America, the American Diabetes Association, the Belleville Mennonite School, and the Susquehanna Conference of the United Methodist Church.

Curt is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the office and ensuring delivery of IHS programs and services. He maintains a close working relationship with the Board of Directors and participates with the Board’s standing committees and working groups. He is instrumental in assessing changing needs in the community and how best to move the organization forward in line with strategic planning mandates.

Curt is dedicated to the organization’s primary mission to create financial stability and protection for low-income and vulnerable residents of Centre County. To that end, he works continually to engage key supporters including IHS governing and affiliate faith communities, donors, staff, and volunteers. In addition, he works to build recognition and support for IHS though his engagement with area businesses and service organizations, local social service agencies, and county government offices. He believes that when you have a shared vision you will find your best success.

Senior Case Manager
BJ Weaver

BJ graduated from Lock Haven University with a major in Social Work and minor in Psychology. She has worked for several nonprofits in Centre County including Family Intervention and Crisis, the Youth Services Bureau, and Bridge of Hope which provides support to single mothers facing homelessness. In 2015, BJ began working for Interfaith Human Services as a caseworker. Since then, her duties and responsibilities have covered many different aspects of client care. In addition to serving as a representative payee, she has been a money management counselor, and provided staff support at Limerock Court, an income-restricted apartment community in State College. In 2021, BJ was promoted to Supervisor and Senior Case Manager, overseeing the daily operations of the Financial Care Program, supervising caseworker staff, managing new client intake, providing updates and collaborating with the Executive Director, and managing her own case load as a representative payee.

BJ is proud to work for one of the oldest social services nonprofits in Centre County and believes that IHS has stood the test of time due to its diligence and commitment to meeting the changing needs of the community. She also values the faith-based foundation of IHS that allows her to walk out her own personal faith by treating people with dignity and respect exactly where they are as they work together with IHS towards the goal of financial stability.

Office Administrator
Linda Kyle

Linda holds an Associates Degree in Business Administration from Butler County Community College in Butler, Pennsylvania. She worked in accounting positions in various banking institutions for 17 years before moving to State College in 2006. As luck would have it, Linda signed on with a temp agency that placed her at IHS. She was hired full-time in August 2007 which gives her the distinction of having the longest tenure among the current staff.

Over the past several years, Linda has managed or performed many of the day-to-day activities necessary to keep the office running smoothly and efficiently. Her primary duties are focused on bookkeeping and accounting for the office’s financial transactions, including payroll and paying bills. However, Linda also is well-versed in all the programs and services provided by IHS, and is especially adept at working with clients who call IHS in need of help. She ran the Rental Assistance program at IHS for many years, and more recently has been managing the Centre County Fuel Bank and Emergency Vehicle Repair Program. In addition, she also organizes and helps to train the volunteers who serve as front office receptionists.

Linda tried to retire a couple of years ago, but her allegiance and dedication to IHS kept her coming back. She now works part-time, but seems to manage just as much as she ever did. She takes pride in making sure that clients receive the best care IHS can provide, as quickly as possible. As Linda puts it, sometimes people just need a little nudge to get their life in order.

Furniture Coordinator 
Todd Hawbaker

Todd took on the part-time job of Furniture and Appliance Program Coordinator at IHS after retiring from a career in the property management field. He began as a volunteer in 2021, training under the former Furniture Program Coordinator, then was was hired when the position became available in 2022.

Todd graduated from Penn State in 1995 with a B.A. in Philosophy and obtained his Pennsylvania Real Estate Brokers License in 2010. During the 25 years that he worked as an associate broker and full-time property manager, he learned not only how to interact professionally with the general public, but also how to work with low-income residents in the Section 8 Housing Assistance program. This experience has been a tremendous asset to managing the IHS furniture program. When it comes to IHS clients, Todd knows what furniture and appliances are most needed, and what donations are most suitable given the available storage space in the warehouse.

His job also entails, quite literally, a lot of moving parts. Much of Todd’s time is spent driving the IHS truck to pick up donations, then hauling and off-loading items to the warehouse. He also handles all the communication and scheduling for items to be picked up, and works directly with IHS clients when the items they need are available.

Todd’s work with the furniture program provides him the opportunity to give back to the community. Moreover, as he meets and works directly with people throughout the week, he is a tremendous advocate and ambassador for IHS.