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Opportunity Partners' Board of Directors
Henry Blissenbach, Chair |
 Henry Blissenbach is President and Chairman of Osprey Enterprises, Inc., a growth and exit strategy consulting company. Prior to this, he enjoyed a long and successful career in health care, including serving as President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Chronimed, Inc., and BioScrip, Inc., both specialty pharmacy companies. Before that, he served as President of Diversified Pharmaceutical Services, a pharmacy benefit management company, and a subsidiary of United HealthGroup, Inc. He has a doctorate degree from the University of Minnesota, College of Pharmacy. A long-time advocate of Opportunity Partners and employer of people with disabilities, he joined the organization’s Board of Directors in 1998. |
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Peter N.Y. Pan, Vice Chair |
 Peter N.Y. Pan serves as a consultant to the packaging machinery and other related industries for EOC Enterprises, Inc. He formerly was the owner and CEO of Thiele Engineering Group in Minneapolis, worked as Senior Vice President and Officer for Barry-Wehmiller Group, Inc., and Senior Vice President and Officer of The Paxall Group. He has a doctorate in physics from Texas Christian University and two degrees in Electrical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. An Opportunity Partners Board member since 2006, he co-chairs the Advancement Committee and serves on the Production Advisory Committee. He is also involved in a number of other civic groups and trade associations. |
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David Bares, Secretary |
 David Bares is Manager of Executive Talent Acquisition for Best Buy Company. In his 12-plus years as a recruiter, he has also worked for Korn/Ferry International, LarsonAllen Search, and Robert Half International. With a long-standing interest in in service and the humanities, David earned a BA in history and communications from the University of St. Thomas and a JD from William Mitchell College of Law. He is currently active as a leader in the Boy Scouts of America and with the civic and extracurricular activities of his children. Past community leadership includes serving as President of the Minnesota Corporate Counsel Association, participating as a representative on the Minnesota State Bar Association Board of Governors, and serving as Foundation Treasurer of the Lakeville Rotary Club. David joined the Opportunity Partners Board in 2006 and serves on the Human Resources, Nominating and Executive Committees. |
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George E. Mikiska, Treasurer |
 George E. Mikiska formed his own financial consulting company, GEM Consulting Services, Inc. after a lengthy career in various financial areas with Coast to Coast stores. A long-time board member, George has been actively involved in guiding the financial health of the organization, serving on the Executive and Finance Committees, as Interim President twice and past Chair of the Board. George is the recipient of Opportunity Partners’ 2008 Legacy Award for outstanding dedication to and support of the organization. . |
James L Bechthold, Board Member |
 James L. Bechthold was with Northern States Power for 30 years. He has extensive experience in environmental regulatory affairs, medical services, human resources and electric utility operations. Jim holds a master's degree from the University of Wisconsin . He has been an active volunteer, speaker and writer on environmental issues. Since joining the Opportunity Partners' Board of Directors, he has served in a number of key capacities, including chairing a long-range planning effort. He was a past Board Chair and Secretary. Jim currently serves on the Executive Committee, Program Advisory Committee, Finance Committee and Human Resources Committee. He also serves as a Board member of the Minneapolis Jewish Community Center and the Barry Family Campus. He has coached high school fast pitch softball for Benilde-St. Margaret's and Washburn. |
| Mike Chevrette, Board Member |
 Mike Chevrette works at Goodwill/Easter Seals as a Support Consultant. He is also the volunteer executive director of the nonprofit Access for All. They created the first “Minnesota Travel Guide for Persons with Disabilities.” Mike has also written articles on disability travel topics for local and national publications. Mike worked for Deluxe Check Printers as a computer programmer/analyst for 15 years. He has served on many committees to help advance the rights of persons with disabilities. He is a past recipient of Courage Center 's Jay and Rose Phillips Courage Award and the Judd Jacobson Award. Mike is currently serving on Opportunity Partners' Governance and Program Advisory Committees.
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Robert A. Doty, Board Member |
 Robert A. Doty, CPA, is the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Dunwoody College of Technology. Robert leads the Operations Division which includes Human Resources, Accounting and Financial Aid, Facilities, Purchasing, IT and Business Administration divisions. He has been with Dunwoody since 1997 and has over 20 years of experience in accounting and financial management.His past work experience includes serving as a senior accountant with Ernst & Young, audit supervisor with Burlington Northern Railroad, audit supervisor with The St. Paul Companies and director of finances and operations with the Independent Television Service. He holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management and in 2002 became a Certified Public Accountant though the Minnesota Society of Certified Public Accountants. He was recently recognized as one of Minneapolis/St. Paul’s top ten Minority Corporate Executives. | |
| Marge Goldberg, Board Member |
 Marge Goldberg has a background in speech and audiology. She worked in special education, rehabilitation therapy, and governmental affairs for many years. In 1977, Marge co-founded PACER Center, Inc., a statewide parent training, information and advocacy organization for families of children and adults with disabilities. In May of 1998, Marge retired after co-directing PACER’s state and national projects for more than 20 years. As a parent of a son with disabilities, she continues to participate in activities to expand resources in the community for all people with disabilities. Marge is a member of the Opportunity Partners’ Programs Committee and chairs the Governance Committee. |
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John Hetterick, Board Member |
John Hetterick and his wife Kathe co-founded No Place Like Home Communities, Inc. (NPLHC), in 2001 to address the need for supportive affordable housing for adults with cognitive disabilities. He served as its first President and Executive Director and today supports the organization as a board member at Projects for Pride in Living (PPL), the current owner and manager of the property. His daughter, Sara, is a resident in the apartment complex created by NPLHC. Prior to his work with NPLHC, John enjoyed a career that included positions as Regional Vice President for Central and South American Regions of Pepsi-Cola International, as well as Vice President Marketing for the 140 countries in which Pepsico markets, President of Tonka International, and President and CEO of Rollerblade. His career started in marketing and product management for General Mills. John currently serves on the Boards of Project for Pride in Living in Minneapolis and the National Disability Institute in Washington, D.C. He is also a participant and presenter on the President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities in Washington.
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Gregory Keane, Board Member |
 Gregory Keane is the Chief Financial Officer for the Bush Foundation, a $700 million private grant-making foundation serving Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. Prior to joining the Bush Foundation in 2007, he served as Chief Financial Officer for Bioscrip and Chronimed, both publicly-held health care companies specializing in prescription drug services. Prior to that, he held various senior financial positions at systems and services companies based in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. He is a CPA and earned his bachelor of science in accounting from the University of Minnesota. His past community involvement includes Big Brothers Big Sisters, American Liver Foundation and Second Harvest Heartland. Greg serves on the Opportunity Partners Finance, Audit and Investment Endowment Committees. |
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George J. Klauser, Board Member |
 George J. Klauser is Vice President responsible for worldwide customer service for XIOtech Corporation. He has nearly 30 years of service and sales operations experience in information services. He has been an active volunteer for various programs supporting greater independence of children and young adults with special needs. Since joining the Opportunity Partners Board of Directors, he has served as Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary and has also been a member of the Executive, Human Resources and Advancement Committees. George has a daughter with Cerebral Palsy and provides great insight to the importance of transitioning young adults into programs that help build their future as successful adults. | |
| Barbara "Babs" Koch, Board Member |
 Barbara "Babs" Koch became involved with Opportunity Partners in 1997 when she provided leadership to a steering committee planning a benefit concert for the agency. Her focus has always been faith-based, with interests in human welfare, youth, education and animals, among other areas. Babs has demonstrated a life-long dedication to addressing the needs of the whole person, through her support of non-profit organizations, community services, and Christian endeavors. She is Past President of the board of directors of the Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches, and has served on numerous other boards and committees. She and her husband, David, received the 2001 Legacy Award, Opportunity Partners' highest honor for people who have made outstanding contributions to advance the mission of the agency. |
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Cynthia L. Lesher, Board Member |
 Cynthia (Cyndi) Lesher is the retired President and CEO, Northern States Power Company-Minnesota, an Xcel Energy company. During her career at Xcel Energy she served as Xcel Energy's Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Human Resources Officer, President of NSP Gas, Vice President of NSP Human Resources, and various other positions. Cyndi was appointed chair of the Governor’s Workforce Development Council in 2004, and in 2003 was inducted into the Women’s Economic Roundtable, comprising of the top 100 women leaders in Minnesota. CityBusiness magazine named her among the Twin Cities' most innovative women. In 2007, she received the Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal’s Lifetime Career Achievement Award, and she was selected by the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce as 2008 Woman of the Year. She serves on the Board of Directors of Alliant Techsystems, Twin Cities Area Red Cross and the Saint Paul Foundation. She serves as a commissioner of the New Brighton Economic Development Commission and is a Regent Emeritus of the University of Minnesota. Cyndi earned a bachelor's degree in sociology from Drake University, a master's degree in rehabilitation counseling and psychology from St. Cloud State University, and completed the Master of Excellence Program at the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management. In 2007, she was named President of the Host Committee for the 2008 Republican National Convention responsible for raising $58 million to fund the convention and to showcase the Twin Cities to the world. |
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| Miguel A. Linares, Board Member |
 Miguel A. Linares is Director of Operations, Meals Division, for General Mills. He has a strong background in production operations and logistics. He is a past board member of SuSalud, a California not-for-profit healthcare organization designed to promote healthcare improvements in the Hispanic community. He has served on General Mills’ mentoring program. Miguel serves on Opportunity Partners' Governance Committee. |
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Jane McCrossan, Board Member |
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Mickey Pajor, Board Member |
 Mickey Pajor has spent over 35 years in voluntary positions working with children and those in need. Both Mickey and her husband Bob were involved in Quakerdale, a facility in Iowa, providing training and mentoring to troubled youth, preparing them for independent living. She is currently volunteering at Prism in Golden Valley. Mickey and Bob are founders of Pajor Family Foundation, with a focus on children and people in need. Mickey uses her background in accounting to do consulting work, as well as assisting in her daughter’s signage business, ASI Modulex. ASI Modulex did the signage for Opportunity Partners’ Koch Campus. Mickey and Bob, who is the retired CEO of Valspar, continue to support Opportunity Partners. Mickey plans to bring her
experience and energy to special events, fundraising and creating a larger volunteer base. | |
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Sharon A. Stein, Board Member |  Sharon A. Stein is Vice President & Operations Officer, HealthPartners Journeywell. Prior to that, she was Vice President for HealthPartners Health Behavior Group. Prior to joining HealthPartners, Sharon was a Senior Vice President and General Manager for Ceridian Corporation. Sharon has over 30 years of experience in customer service, sales, operations, business development and overall business management. |
| Alan Thiel, Board Member |
 Alan C. Thiel is a partner in the law firm of Thiel, Campbell, Gunderson & Anderson, P.L.L.P. in Edina. Alan’s areas of concentration include real estate, estate planning, and business planning. A long-time member of Opportunity Partners’ board of directors, he has served as Board Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary as well as on the Executive, Finance, Residential and Program Committees.
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Bonnie Baskin, Advisor |
 Bonnie Baskin, Ph.D. is Chief Executive Officer of AppTec Laboratory Services, Inc., a comprehensive laboratory testing services and specialty contract manufacturing for the medical device, biopharmaceutical and tissue engineering industries. Bonnie founded and was CEO of ViroMed Laboratories, Inc. Bonnie has a Ph.D. from the University of Miami Graduate School, Department of Microbiology and a postdoctoral fellowship from the National Institutes of Health. She was named 1988 Entrepreneur of the Year by the Twin West Chamber of Commerce, and was a Minnesota and Dakotas Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist. Bonnie is past president of the Minnesota Biotechnology Association (MNBIO) and has served on a number of nonprofit and corporate boards. | |
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