Workforce Development Board

The Workforce Development Board brings together leaders from business, education, government, and community organizations to help guide workforce strategies across Southeast Minnesota. The board plays a key role in planning and overseeing state and federally funded employment and training services for individuals facing economic or employment barriers.

WDI Board Members

Our Board is composed of representatives from private business, education, nonprofit, labor, and public service sectors. Their diverse expertise helps shape effective workforce policies for our region.
Aaron Benike
Benike Construction

Aaron Benike

Benike Construction

Aaron Benike

Alisha Otteson
State of Minnesota DEED, Vocational Rehabilitation Services

Alisha Otteson

State of Minnesota DEED, Vocational Rehabilitation Services

Alisha Otteson

Armin Budimlic
Intercultural Mutual Assistance Association (IMAA)

Armin Budimlic

Intercultural Mutual Assistance Association (IMAA)

Armin Budimlic

Autumn Herber
State of Minnesota DEED

Autumn Herber

State of Minnesota DEED

Autumn Herber

Brian Cashman, Secretary
Goodhue County Education District

Brian Cashman, Secretary

Goodhue County Education District

Brian Cashman, Secretary

Cathy Lamers
Red Wing Shoe Company

Cathy Lamers

Red Wing Shoe Company

Cathy Lamers

Chris Hanson
Poet Bioprocessing

Chris Hanson

Poet Bioprocessing

Chris Hanson

Cindy Verdick
Three Rivers Community Action

Cindy Verdick

Three Rivers Community Action

Cindy Verdick

Dr. Jeffrey Boyd
Rochester Community and Technical College

Dr. Jeffrey Boyd

Rochester Community and Technical College

Dr. Jeffrey Boyd

Jean Eaton
Granicrete Minnesota

Jean Eaton

Granicrete Minnesota

Jean Eaton

Jim Root, Treasurer
Gundersen St. Elizabeth's Medical Center

Jim Root, Treasurer

Gundersen St. Elizabeth's Medical Center

Jim Root, Treasurer

Joann Ramaker
Hormel Foods

Joann Ramaker

Hormel Foods

Joann Ramaker

John Pugleasa
Houston County Human Services

John Pugleasa

Houston County Human Services

John Pugleasa

Joy Watson
Rice County Housing & Redevelopment Authority

Joy Watson

Rice County Housing & Redevelopment Authority

Joy Watson

Lane Powell, Vice President
Harmony Enterprises, Inc.

Lane Powell, Vice President

Harmony Enterprises, Inc.

Lane Powell, Vice President

Laurie Brownell
Southeastern Minnesota Area Agency on Aging (SEMAAA)

Laurie Brownell

Southeastern Minnesota Area Agency on Aging (SEMAAA)

Laurie Brownell

Liz Henderson
New Age Tree Service

Liz Henderson

New Age Tree Service

Liz Henderson

Lorne Lundeen
Laborers District Council of Minnesota & North Dakota

Lorne Lundeen

Laborers District Council of Minnesota & North Dakota

Lorne Lundeen

Megan Ramaker
Knobelsdorff Enterprises

Megan Ramaker

Knobelsdorff Enterprises

Megan Ramaker

Michelle Pyfferoen
Rochester Community and Technical College

Michelle Pyfferoen

Rochester Community and Technical College

Michelle Pyfferoen

Mike Bambrick
IBEW 343 - SC MN JATC

Mike Bambrick

IBEW 343 - SC MN JATC

Mike Bambrick

Misun Bormann
Mayo Clinic

Misun Bormann

Mayo Clinic

Misun Bormann

Mustafa Abdille
Jennie-O-Turkey

Mustafa Abdille

Jennie-O-Turkey

Mustafa Abdille

Nadine Holthaus
Rochester Public Schools

Nadine Holthaus

Rochester Public Schools

Nadine Holthaus

Phil Sayles, Board President
Viracon Glass

Phil Sayles, Board President

Viracon Glass

Phil Sayles, Board President

Rachel Berg, Second Vice President
McNeilus Truck & Manufacturing

Rachel Berg, Second Vice President

McNeilus Truck & Manufacturing

Rachel Berg, Second Vice President

Shelly Caldwell
Marco

Shelly Caldwell

Marco

Shelly Caldwell

Stephen Downs
Design Ready Controls

Stephen Downs

Design Ready Controls

Stephen Downs

Executive Committee

The Executive Committee provides leadership and strategic oversight for the full Workforce Development Board.
Brian Cashman, Secretary
Goodhue County Education District

Brian Cashman, Secretary

Goodhue County Education District

Brian Cashman, Secretary

Jim Root, Treasurer
Gundersen St. Elizabeth's Medical Center

Jim Root, Treasurer

Gundersen St. Elizabeth's Medical Center

Jim Root, Treasurer

Lane Powell, Vice President
Harmony Enterprises, Inc.

Lane Powell, Vice President

Harmony Enterprises, Inc.

Lane Powell, Vice President

Mitch Lentz
Fillmore County Commissioner

Mitch Lentz

Fillmore County Commissioner

Mitch Lentz

Phil Sayles, Board President
Viracon Glass

Phil Sayles, Board President

Viracon Glass

Phil Sayles, Board President

Rachel Berg, Second Vice President
McNeilus Truck & Manufacturing

Rachel Berg, Second Vice President

McNeilus Truck & Manufacturing

Rachel Berg, Second Vice President

Steve Underdahl
Rice County Commissioner

Steve Underdahl

Rice County Commissioner

Steve Underdahl

Joint Powers Board

The Joint Powers Board is composed of County Commissioners from each of the ten counties in Local Workforce Development Area #8. This board established Workforce Development, Inc. and provides policy oversight and guidance for the organization’s operations and services.

Cheryl Key
Wabasha County Commissioner

Cheryl Key

Wabasha County Commissioner

Cheryl Key

Cindy Wright
Houston County Commissioner

Cindy Wright

Houston County Commissioner

Cindy Wright

Dan Sparks
Mower County Commissioner

Dan Sparks

Mower County Commissioner

Dan Sparks

Dave Kenworthy
Dodge County Commissioner

Dave Kenworthy

Dodge County Commissioner

Dave Kenworthy

Josh Prokopec
Steele County Commissioner

Josh Prokopec

Steele County Commissioner

Josh Prokopec

Lukas Severson
Freeborn County Commissioner

Lukas Severson

Freeborn County Commissioner

Lukas Severson

Mitch Lentz
Fillmore County Commissioner

Mitch Lentz

Fillmore County Commissioner

Mitch Lentz

Steve Underdahl
Rice County Commissioner

Steve Underdahl

Rice County Commissioner

Steve Underdahl

Todd Greseth
Goodhue County Commissioner

Todd Greseth

Goodhue County Commissioner

Todd Greseth

Board Members