Cass County Economic Development Corporation

FY 2010 Board of Directors

OFFICERS
President:  Jim Tertin is Director of Manufacturing at Magnum Research, Inc., a firearms manufacturer located in Sylvan Township.  He moved his business to Cass County five years ago.  Tertin ran for a board position because he wanted to “use his background and experience to pull manufacturing and higher paying jobs to Cass County.”

Vice President:  Dave Holk is General Manager of the Cass Lake Building Center in Cass Lake.   Holk has more than 40 years of business experience with 35 years of experience at the same company.  He has seen many economic changes throughout the years.  Hoping to use his business history and experience to help guide new business, he states “The EDC group has done a fine job and I want to keep it going.”

Secretary:  Howard Prushek was elected to the Cass County EDC board in 2004.  Prushek, a retired science teacher who also serves on the Remer city council.  He has lived in Cass County all his life.

Treasurer Skip Duchesneau, Jr. is president of D.W. Jones Management Inc. in Walker. He was elected in 2008 and was interested in serving on the volunteer board because, “I see the positive results that have occurred from the EDC board and would like to be part of that”.

BOARD MEMBERS
Terry Freeman  has been on the EDC board since 2005. “It’s very rewarding to be an active member of the Cass County EDC Board of Directors,” stated Freeman.  He is Vice President for Landecker & Associates, Inc. in Walker.   Freeman was elected to the EDC board in 2006.

Jay Cline was elected in 2007.  He was interested in serving on the EDC board because he “Believes in the growth and development in Cass County”.  Jay is vice president of Woodland Bank in Jenkins.  Cline was elected to the board position in 2007.

Neil Smith of Pine River State Bank was elected in 2008. Smith expressed an interest to serve on the board, “To help continue the economic growth in Cass County.”  Smith has a long history in banking and was elected to serve on the EDC board in 2008.

Cy Struss is Vice President with First National Bank of Walker, Backus office and has been on the EDC board since 2000. “I’m involved with the EDC because it’s important for our county to have an organization to promote job creation and capital investment in our communities,” stated Struss.

Mike Myers is the Director of Tribal Development for the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe.  He brings 20 years of community and economic development experience.  Myers believes that the integrated efforts between LLBO and communities will bring lasting growth an development.  He was elected in 2009.

Laura J. Hansen was elected to the Cass County EDC board in 2009.  She is a licensed attorney and she is interested in using these skills to develop the economic success of the area.  She owns and manages Bill Hansen Realty of Hackensack and Longville and is associated with the Greater Lakes Association of Realtors.  She serves on several boards – Cuyuna Hospital, Central Lakes and Longville Clinics.

Bill Palmer is the Clinic Administrator for Brainerd Lakes Health.  He has an MBA in finance and a broad background in management, finance and healthcare.  Palmer believes that economic development – and the EDC – can greatly benefit the communities in Cass County.  He was elected to the Cass County EDC board in 2009 and is a resident of East Gull Lake. 

Elected Cass County Economic Development Board members are elected to serve three year terms.  If you are a member and would like to run for a board position, please download the nomination form and submit the application to the EDC office. 

ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS – founders of the Cass County EDC and honorary, non-voting board members
Dave Johnson, Anderson Brothers Construction
John Grimley
John Weins
John Wetrosky, Pine River Chamber of Commerce

CASS COUNTY EX-OFFICIO – Cass County representatives and non-voting board members
Bob Kangas, County Commissioner
Jeff Peterson, County Commissioner -Alternate
Bob Yochum, County Administrator