Sheila Kittleson is the new director of the Wartburg-Waverly Sports & Wellness Center.

Gary Grace, Wartburg College vice president for administration, announced the appointment Monday.

“As interim director for the past five months, Sheila has developed solid relationships with the staff and The W users,” Grace said. “Our memberships have reached an all-time high, and we have received many positive comments about Sheila’s leadership. We look forward to the strategic direction she will provide for the future of this great college-community facility.”

“The Waverly community and Wartburg College share a great facility,” Kittleson said. “I look forward to having the opportunity to support the mission and help shape the future of The W.”

Kittleson formerly worked as an accounting manager in the Wartburg Business Office. She became interim director of The W in November, following the departure of Jim Langel, now chief executive officer of the YMCA of Black Hawk County in Waterloo.

Grace noted that Kittleson’s work in accounting has always included a strong focus on customer service, and that has been evident in her work as interim director of The W.

“Her door is open, and she makes interaction with employees and The W users a priority,” Grace said.

Kittleson joined the Wartburg staff in November 2007 after 10 years as a cost-analyst manager, team leader and senior project analyst at CUNA Mutual Insurance Group in Waverly. She is a graduate of Mankato State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting. Before joining CUNA Mutual, she spent 10 years with Homeland Bank N.A. in Waterloo as controller/vice president of accounting.