Andrea joined the Club in 2009 as resource development director and accepted her current position in 2012. She holds a degree in business administration from North Dakota State University and previously worked at Pathways Outdoor Ministries in Bemidji.
andrea.kent@nullbgcbemidji.org
Karl joined the Club in 2004 as the education and technology coordinator. In 2007, he became program director and completed a two-month internship at the Boys & Girls Club of America’s corporate office in Atlanta. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in applied psychology from Bemidji State University. He accepted his current position in 2013.
karl.mork@nullbgcbemidji.org
Emily joined the Club in 2019 as resource development director. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Wartburg College and a master’s from Western Illinois University. Emily comes to the Club with a background in higher education and non-profit organizations. emily.fairchild@nullbgcbemidji.org
Shelby joined the Club in 2011 as a sports and fitness coordinator, a position she held until 2013 when she became the healthy lifestyles assistant director. From 2017-2023 Shelby served as the Club’s unit director. Shelby accepted her current role as the grants director in 2023. She holds a degree in elementary education from Bemidji State University and is a licensed teacher.
shelby.weckwerth@nullbgcbemidji.org
Morgan joined the Club in 2015 as a social recreational coordinator and in 2017 became an assistant director. Morgan accepted her current role in 2023. She holds a degree in elementary education from Bemidji State University and is a licensed teacher. morgan.morgenstern@nullbgcbemidji.org
McKenna joined the Club in 2019 as a youth development professional and accepted the role of assistant director in 2021. In fall 2023 she was promoted to her current role to lead our school-based site. She previously worked as a nanny and a direct care professional in a group home. mckenna.rohe@nullbgcbemidji.org
Talaya joined the Club in 2015 as the teen center coordinator and accepted her current position in 2022. She holds a degree in mass communications with an emphasis in marketing from Bemidji State University. She previously worked as a teacher in South Korea and in Wyoming.
talaya.kautz@nullbgcbemidji.org
Trish joined the Club in 2022 as the Marketing & Events Coordinator. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Information Systems from Bemidji State University. She previously owned and managed TJ Studio, a marketing & computer support business in Bemidji for 16 years.
trish.ritchie@nullbgcbemidji.org
Hannah joined the Club in 2024 as a Marketing & Events Assistant. She holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Bemidji State University and an associate’s degree in business from Northwest Technical College.
hannah.larson@nullbgcbemidji.org
Nicci will work to support both the Bemidji location and the new Blackduck Branch. Originally from Hibbing, she moved to Bemidji at the start of 2022 to work at the Bemidji Pioneer and quickly developed a passion for the community and its residents that she plans to take into her new role.
nicole.ronchetti@nullbgcbemidji.org
Dan Nynas, Chair
After bouncing around from the Cities, to Duluth, and to the Detroit Area, my wife and I moved back to Bemidji to raise our family of 2 kids. I am a Bemidji High School Alumni. I work remotely for a Credit Union out of the Detroit Metro as a Financial Analyst. I love the Bemidji area and I am excited to be a part of the Boys and Girls Club with all that they do for our kids! My not-so-secret talent is that I have a large collection of dad jokes that I love to share.
Sarah Cronin, Past Chair
I am originally from Madison, WI and moved to Bemidji in 2018 to become a professor of psychology at Bemidji State University. I am honored to be part of the Boys and Girls Club of the Bemidji Area because promoting healthy youth development is an essential part of having a healthy community! As a Licensed Psychologist, most of my clinical experience has been focused on supporting adolescent mental health. I have been a professional program evaluator since 2013. I enjoy using those skills at the Club to help us make informed changes and ensure our programs have good outcomes. My super-heroes are people who use their privilege to benefit others and who have deep, authentic relationships. They inspire me to be a better community member. In my free time I love to canoe, camp, make music, play MarioKart, and enjoy good food.
Heather Tverstol, Vice Chair
I grew up in the historic, very small town of Lanesboro, MN. Presently, I live in Bemidji. I work as a quality improvement advisor at Sanford Health and love what I do. I have always loved teaching, personal growth, and working with youth and bring my passion for advancement in those areas to the Club. I am a Bemidji State Alum for academics and volleyball. Golf is my sport of choice and am happy to lend my love to the golf committee and fundraiser. My secret talent is living my life to the fullest and embracing the reality that we only get one shot at this life, so you must make it count! My superhero is anyone who has faced major adversity and come out better and stronger because of it.
Erin Morrill, Vice Chair
I grew up in Glyndon, MN and now live in Bemidji. I have a bachelor’s degree in Emergency Management and Anthropology, along with a minor in History from NDSU. I work at Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College. I work in Public Safety as an emergency manager and health & safety coordinator. My secret talent is knowing lots of random facts and information that make trivia fun. My super-hero is my mom. In my free time, I love to garden, cook, read, hunt, and spend time with my husband, son, and our German-shorthair pointer Charlie.
Michele Brielmaier, Secretary
I live in Bemidji at present. I grew up in Port Angeles, WA, moved to Mankato, MN in 1977, and Bemidji in 2018. I was the Dean of Nursing and Human Services at Northwest Technical College until I retired in July of 2022. My secret talents are being grateful for every new day and thankful for being adopted. My super-hero is the Holy Spirit because He guides and protects us every day. In my free time, I love to exercise, dig in the dirt, cook, clean, play, volunteer, and read books.
RoxAnn Aaberg, Treasurer
I grew up in Foston on a dairy farm with 10 brothers and sisters. I presently live in Bemidji. I have worked at First National Bank Bemidji for 29 years and am presently the Deposit Services Division Manager. I feel my career in banking is an asset as Treasurer of the Boys and Girls Club Board and Finance Committee. My secret talent is I am a pretty good baker. My superhero is my mother because raising 11 children is no small task. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, traveling, reading, and being outdoors.
Rose Brown
I joined the Boys & Girls Club Board in 2022. I am retired after working 20 years at Red Lake and Cass Lake High Schools as a guidance counselor. Prior to that, I worked for the State of MN Vocational Rehabilitation as a counselor. I have lived in the Bemidji area for many years. Some of the activities I enjoy are gardening, tapping maple trees in the spring, quilting and snowshoeing. I believe the Boys & Girls Club provides youth with a positive, safe environment, giving them an opportunity to be unique individuals.
Jason Riggs
I grew up in the Deer River, MN area and now live in Bemidji, MN. I am the elected Beltrami County Sheriff which helps me be a servant leader and mentor the youth of the Boys and Girls Club of Bemidji Area. I love hiking, camping, canoeing and general outdoor activities. I don’t have any secret talents other than I am willing to give my time. Superman is my super-hero and his ability to fly. In my free time, I love to play hockey, hike, fish and cut wood.
Alex Schussman
I was born and raised in Bemidji and work at First National Bank of Bemidji as a Retail Loan Originator. I attended Northwestern College of Iowa where I obtained a degree in Sports Management and played college soccer. I love to volunteer. I am a Board member with the Boys and Girls Club of Bemidji and Bemidji Youth Soccer, and a Co-Chair for the United Way Backpack Buddies program. My secret talent is that I can do a handstand and my heroes are my parents. In my free time, I enjoy golfing, the outdoors, and spending time with my family.
JoAnn Kelsey
I have always lived and worked in Bemidji, choosing to go to school at BSU and raise my two sons here. As a parent I volunteered with the local 4-H, schools, and youth sports groups. I worked at Sanford Health for over 20 years and joined GE HealthCare last year. I have enjoyed multiple opportunities to grow professionally and develop skills, which I plan to share with the BGCBA Board. I have worked on the BGCBA Gala Committee for two years and plan to use my passion for our community to positively impact our Club youth. My secret talent is doing home improvement projects. My favorite superhero is Wonder Woman, due to her strength, powerfulness, and her compassion and empathy. In my free time I enjoy spending time with my husband and two adult sons enjoying time outdoors.
Grace Ferdinandt
I grew up coming to Bemidji to spend time at my grandparents’ cabin. My husband and I met at BSU when we were students and returned to Bemidji after four years to raise our two sons and serve the community. I worked in financial aid at BSU/NTC for eight years, taking joy in working with students to ease the financial aid process and discovering ways to provide access to underserved populations. Recently, I accepted a position with the Minnesota Office of Higher Education to serve as the State Program Administrator for Grants and Workforce Initiatives. I hope to uncover funding to strengthen programs and benefit our Club families. My superhero is my Dad – my rock and consistent support system. He taught me the value of education, how to be a compassionate leader, and to always choose kindness. My secret talents are baking and swimming and in my free time I enjoy going on adventures with my family.
Ericka Medberry
I grew up in Ashby, MN, and have made Bemidji my home for 16 years! I graduated from Concordia College in Moorhead, and now work for Sanford Health as Director of Eye, Dermatology, and Vivaz Medical Spa. I look forward to committing time in support of the Boys & Girls Club of Bemidji and fostering a positive culture for our area youth. My secret talent is that I can tackle any DIY home improvement project! My favorite superhero is Bruce Wayne because he’s smart and resourceful. In my free time, I enjoy spending time outdoors with family and friends.