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Opportunity Partners' Board of Directors
George J. Klauser, Chair |
 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 Vice Chairman 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. |
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Henry Blissenbach, Vice Chair |
 Henry Blissenbach currently serves as President of OspreyHealth, Inc., a pharmacy consulting and investment company. Prior to his current position, he served as Chief Executive Officer of BioScrip, Inc., a health care company specializing in prescription drug services. Before that, he was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Chronimed, Inc., a prescription drug company specializing in medications for individuals with low incidence diseases, including those treated with biotech injectables, post transplant medications, and people with HIV/AIDS. Prior to that, he was President of Diversified Pharmaceutical Services, a pharmacy benefit management subsidiary of United HealthGroup, Inc. He continued his advocacy and support of Opportunity Partners by placing several clients in positions at Diversified, Chronimed and BioScrip. He holds a doctorate in pharmacy and an academic appointment at the U of M College of Pharmacy. He is a past member of the Minnesota State Pharmaceutical Association’s board of directors, and is a founding father of the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy. He is Vice Chairman of the Opportunity Partners Board of Directors and serves on the Finance Committee. |
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David Bares, Secretary |
 David Bares is a Senior Associate with Korn/Ferry International, the world's leading provider of human capital solutions. Prior to joining Korn/Ferry, David worked as a Professional Placement Consultant with LarsonAllen Search, LLC. David specializes in recruiting and placing executive-level financial and legal talent in leading Minnesota organizations. With a long-standing interest 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 active in the Lakeville Rotary, the Minneapolis Club, and the civic extra-curricular activities of his three children. Past community leadership includes serving as President of the Corporate Counsel Association and participating as a representative on the Minnesota State Board of Governors. David serves on the Opportunity Partners Human Resurces, Nominating and Executive Committees. |
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George E. Mikiska, Treasurer |
 After a lengthy career in various financial areas with Coast to Coast stores, George E. Mikiska formed his own financial consulting company, GEM Consulting Services, Inc. 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. In recent years, he has served as Chair of the Golf Tournament Committee. George is a strong proponent of the endowment and planned giving program at Opportunity Partners. |
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 is a high school fast pitch softball coach for Benilde-St. Margaret's. |
| Idelle Bjelland, Board Member |
 Idelle Bjelland is a retired realtor with Edina Realty and a graduate of the University of Minnesota. She is active in the community, both professionally and as a volunteer. Among her many awards is the "Woman of Achievement Award" given by the Twin West Chamber of Commerce. Idelle took an active role in assisting Opportunity Partners in its transition from the larger Clara Doerr/Lindley Hall Residences to four-person homes. Idelle is past Secretary of the Board and the received the 2001 Leadership Award for her outstanding contributions to Opportunity Partners. She is on the Resource Development Committee and the Residential Advisory Committee. |
| Mike Chevrette, Board Member |
 Mike Chevrette works at Goodwill/Easter Seals as an Employment 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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Bruce Feist, Board Member |
 Bruce Feist is an Assistant Vice President of Information Technology – Trading and Risk Management for Cargill, Inc.As part of his role at Cargill, Bruce is a member of Cargill’s Information Technology Leadership Team and has led several strategy development efforts. Bruce is a graduate of St. Cloud State University with a degree in Business Computer Information Systems.He has worked for Cargill in a variety of IT positions since 1994. He was introduced to Opportunity Partners after more than 100 Cargill IT managers volunteered for a day of service at Opportunity Partners. Bruce and his wife, Diane, reside in Minnetonka and have two children. |
| 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 consultant and board member. His daughter, Sara, is a resident in the first apartment complex owned 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 $900 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. | |
| 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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| John Lavander, Board Member |
 John M. Lavander is Founder, Owner and President of Caliber Development Corporation, a residential and commercial real estate development company. He has a degree in accounting and is presently serving on the Finance Committee and the Endowment Investment Committee. John also serves on the boards of directors of The Minneapolis Foundation, Minnesota Life College, and Non-Profits Assistance Fund. His company is also a member of the Minnesota Keystone corporate giving program. He and his wife, Nan, received Opportunity Partners' 2002 Legacy Award, the highest honor for those who made outstanding contributions to advance the mission of the agency. |
| 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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Peter N.Y. Pan, Board Member |
 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. He serves on Opportunity Partners’ Production Advisory Committee, and he is involved in a number of other civic groups and trade associations.
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Sharon Stein, Board Member |  Sharon A. Stein is 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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