Our committees consist of regional business leaders, partners, and key stakeholders to fulfill the mission and vision of GreenSeam.
Business Retention & Expansion
Purpose: The Business Retention & Expansion Committee fosters the retention and growth of members of the regional food and agribusiness ecosystem.
Jerry Kopel (Chair) – Real Estate Salesperson | Hertz
James Gordon (Vice Chair) – Vice President, Ag/Business Banker | Pioneer Bank
Heather Thielges, CPA, CVA (Board Liaison) – Mankato Market Leader | Eide Bailly
John Christian – Attorney | Blethen Berens
Joel Dorn – Financial Officer | Compeer Financial
Pat Fahey – AVP Ag Lending | First National Bank Minnesota
Tyler Petzel – Partner | Abdo
Amy Pint – Dean of Agriculture | South Central College
Josh Williams – CEO | WEB Construction, Inc.
Business Attraction & Creation
Purpose: The Business Attraction & Creation Committee will activate new economic growth in the regional food and agribusiness ecosystem.
Mary Athey – Vice President of Entrepreneurship | Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation
Tammy Bohlke – Director of Workforce Development | Minnesota State University, Mankato
Morgan Guse – Credit Analyst | United Prairie Bank
Shannan Harris – Purpose Program Manager | Spave
Bob Olsen – IntRAtrain | Business Development Consultant
Gary Schott – Business Consultant | Minnesota Small Business Development Center
Joshua Schuetz – Community and Business Development Specialist | Community and Economic Development Associates
Kent Thiesse – Farm Management Analyst | Green Solutions Group
Tina Wilson – Economic Development Manager | City of Waseca
Talent Development, Retention & Attraction
Purpose: The Talent Development, Retention, and Attraction Committee will serve as the regional leader in strengthening and enhancing talent pipelines for careers in food and agribusiness through strategic collaboration with industry partners, communities, and educational institutions to foster a skilled and sustainable workforce for the future.
Nathan Hanel (Co-Chair) – Program Coordinator | MN State Southern Agricultural Center of Excellence
Ben Buie (Board Liaison) – Vice President, Grain | Crystal Valley Cooperative
Mary Buschette – Director of Alumni Relations | University of MN, CFANS
Samantha Campa – Internal & External Partnerships Coordinator | MN State University, Mankato
Addison Fraze | Environmental Specialist | Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Randy Hagen – Technical Training Lead | Bayer
Erin Kuiper – Student Employment and Vocation Program Manager | Gustavus
Baleigh Miller | Community Development & Social Media Specialist | Wakefield Pork
Nick Schiltz – Agricultural Instructor & Program Coordinator | Riverland Community College
Brad Schloesser – Executive Director | MARL
Jerry Van Oort – CEO | Intratrain
Gwenn Wolters – Career & Technical Education Coordinator | South Central Service Cooperative
Kelcey Woods-Nord – Vice President of Strategic Partnerships | South Central College
Regional Branding & Promotion
Purpose: The Regional Branding & Promotion Committee exists to increase awareness of the organization and its regional brand within the global food and agribusiness ecosystem.
Jim Schill – (Chair) Marketing Director | Lime Valley Advertising
JO Guck Bailey – Owner | Sign Pro
Bridget Norland
Laura Drager – (Board Liaison) Marketing Manager | ISG
Erin Rossow – Sales Manager | Ag Management Solutions
Jennifer Heimer – Director of Marketing and Communications | Vaderstad
Kristeena Thisius – Marketing Manager | Kahler Automation
Denice Woller – Owner | Woller Photography
Address
3 Civic Center Plaza, Suite 100
Mankato, MN 56001
Phone
507.385.6672
Email
info@greenseam.org