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2024 - 2025 Board Volunteers

    President

    Sandra (Sandy) Feehan sk.feehan@smmpa.org

    Sandy is the Human Resources Manager at Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (SMMPA), a wholesale electic utility serving 17 Minnesota municipal utilities. She is responsible for the management, development, implementation, and overall administration of the human resources policies, programs, and functions of the Agency. She also manages and oversees the safety policies and programs. 

    Sandy started her professional career in 1982 in the accounting department at SMMPA. She attended WInona State University while working and obtained her Bachelor's degree in Accounting from Winona State University and passed the CPA exam in 1988. In 2000, Sandy transitioned to human resources and went on to get a MBA from Cardinal Stritch and her Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and SHRM-SCP certifications.

    She is a current member of the National SHRM Association and the Rochester Human Resources Association.

    President Job Description

    President-Elect

    Jing Han jhan@winona.edu

    Jing is currently working as associate professor in College of Business at Winona State University. She teaches, conducts research, and consults in the area of strategic human resource management. She actively works with researchers and managers to identify the best HR practices and policies that help organizations to align their strategies and investment in talents. Her research has been published in a few top journals such as Journal of Organizational Behavior, International Journal of Human Resource management, and Tourism Management Perspectives. Prior to joining the WSU faculty, she was professor at Tilburg University, California State University Fullerton, and she received her Ph.D. in business from Peking University.

    Secretary

    Elsa Maas elsa_maas@yahoo.com

    Elsa obtained her BA in Psychology from Augsburg and completed her Master in Industrial/Organizational Psychology at MN State University Mankato. She is an experienced human resources professional with over 15 years as a HR manager in a generalist capacity, mainly as a one person HR for publicly held corporations in manufacturing organizations like Rochester Medical & HALCON.  She has worked with companies with 100-500 people, which she feels is small enough to be nimble and close-knit, yet large enough to offer great benefits to its employees. Elsa is a current member of the National SHRM Association, the Rochester Human Resources Association and has earned both the SPHR and SHRM-SCP certifications. Her outlook is very positive and truly believes people are a company’s best asset and investment.

     

    Secretary Job Description

    Treasurer

    Paul Peterson ppeterson@thinkbank.com

    Paul is a Human Resources Generalist with Think Mutual Bank. In his current role, he is responsible for the administration of benefits and payroll, recruitment, and coordinating Think’s employee wellness program. Prior to Think Bank, Paul worked at Voca Staffing for 3 years as a Senior Recruiter and Account Manager. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Winona State University, he is a current member of the National SHRM Association, and has earned his SHRM-CP certification.

     

     Treasurer Job Description

     

    Vice President of Membership

    Deb Donahue ddonahue@rpu.org

    Membership-At-Large Job Description

    Diversity and Inclusion Chair

    Ryan Paulsen paulsen.ryan@CO.OLMSTED.MN.US

    Ryan Paulsen joined the Olmsted County Human Resources team in August 2020 where she performs a variety of human resources duties as an HR Representative supporting several key departments throughout the County. Prior to her time there, she spent five years in Human Resources at the Post Bulletin, two as the Human Resources Manager working alongside leadership to ensure business success. Ryan’s roles have afforded her a wide array of HR experience, while she takes special interest in performance management and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.

    Ryan graduated Magna Cum Laude from Iowa State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She is an HRCI certified professional (PHR) and an active member of several Olmsted County organizational committees.

    Diversity and Inclusion Chair Job Description

    Program Chair

    Cassandra (Cassie) Ray Cassie.Ray@rctc.edu

    Cassie obtained her BA in Psychology from Viterbo University in La Crosse, WI.  She has experience in various HR roles, Training and Development, and Human Services.  In her current position, Cassie focuses on providing training solutions for area businesses.  She has over 10 years of experience in building customer relationships across industry sectors as well as working with people of varying abilities. Cassie is passionate about employing people with disabilities and actively participates in SE MN Maxability Task Force. 

     

    The Program Chair is new positon on the board, so we're in the process of creating a job description.

    Certification Chair 

    Valerie Folk valerie.folk@smart-hr.com

    Certification Chair Job Description

    Legislative Chair

    Greg Griffiths, Esq. gjg@dunlaplaw.com

    Greg provides more than 32 years of experience practicing law and represents businesses of all sizes, as well as nonprofit corporations and local government entities on employment and labor law matters. Greg advises clients in all aspects of employment law including hiring issues, compliance with state and federal law, employment contracts and severance agreements, discipline and discharge issues and on the prevention of employment law claims. Greg routinely represents his clients in the litigation of employment claims in state and federal court, as well as in administrative agency actions including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Minnesota Department of Human Rights, the Minnesota Department of Labor and the National Labor Relations Board. Greg is a Shareholder with Dunlap Seeger.
     
    Greg is a graduate of Hamline University School of Law, Juris Doctor and a graduate of St. Norbert College, cum laude, with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Greg is currently a board director for Zumbro Valley Health Center and the United Way of Olmsted County and has served as a board director for numerous community organizations including the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce, Rochester Catholic Schools, Lourdes Foundation, Families First of Southern Minnesota and Channel One Regional Food Bank.
     
    In his spare time, Greg enjoys snowboarding and skiing, walking, hiking, biking, camping and traveling.

    Newsletter Chair

    Jen Strand jen@jobshq.com

    Newsletter Chair Job Description

    Past President

    Ryan Paulsen paulsen.ryan@CO.OLMSTED.MN.US

    Ryan Paulsen joined the Olmsted County Human Resources team in August 2020 where she performs a variety of human resources duties as an HR Representative supporting several key departments throughout the County. Prior to her time there, she spent five years in Human Resources at the Post Bulletin, two as the Human Resources Manager working alongside leadership to ensure business success. Ryan’s roles have afforded her a wide array of HR experience, while she takes special interest in performance management and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.

    Ryan graduated Magna Cum Laude from Iowa State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She is an HRCI certified professional (PHR) and an active member of several Olmsted County organizational committees.

    Website Chair

    Chris Robson cdrrules23@gmail.com

    Chris started his career in the insurance industry in 2003 and has been strictly in the employee benefits portion of the market.  Within the employee benefits portion of the industry, Chris has daily contact with HR professionals and helps to answer questions relating to benefits, labor laws, compensation, and all other aspects of human resources.

    Currently, Chris is the General Manager of Valhalla Management Association, a property management company that manages the daily operations, finances, HR, and many other aspects of the Valhalla Condominiums complex.