Mickey Pajor, a long-time community volunteer, has been named to the Opportunity Partners Board of Directors. In addition, the following officers were elected to two-year terms: Henry Blissenbach, Chair, and Peter N.Y. Pan, Vice Chair. David Bares was re-elected Secretary, and George Mikiska was re-elected Treasurer.
Mickey Pajor spent more than 35 years in volunteer positions working with children and people in need. Both Mickey and her husband Bob, who is the retired CEO of Valspar, were involved in Quakerdale, a facility in Iowa, providing training and mentoring to troubled youth. 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. Mickey is eager to bring her experience and energy to special events, fundraising and creating a larger volunteer base.
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 as CEO and Chairman of Chronimed, Inc. and BioScrip, Inc. Before that, he was President of Diversified Pharmaceutical Services (DPS). 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.
Peter N.Y. Panserves 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. He has a doctorate in physics from Texas Christian University and two degrees in Electrical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He joined the Opportunity Partners Board of Directors in 2006.
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. 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 extra-curricular activities of his children. David joined the Opportunity Partners Board of Directors in 2006.
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. George was awarded Opportunity Partners’ 2008 Legacy Award for outstanding dedication to and support of the organization.
Opportunity Partners is a Twin Cities nonprofit helping people with disabilities learn new skills, find meaningful work, live more independently, and contribute to their communities. More information about Opportunity Partners is available online at www.opportunitypartners.org.
