Find an Educator Near You

West Metro
Claudia Cody

Extension Regional Center, Andover
Bunker Hills Activities Center
550 Bunker Lake Boulevard NW, Suite L-1
Andover, MN 55304-4199

Email: cody0031@umn.edu
Phone: 763-767-3875
Fax: 763-767-3885

Counties Served:
Anoka, Carver, Hennepin, Sherburne and Wright

Education:

• B.A., Languages - Translation, Pontificia Universidade Catolica Do Rio De Janeiro, South Dakota State University
• Business Management, City College of San Francisco and University of San Francisco
• Minority Business Executive Program, Amos Tuck School of Business Administration, Dartmouth College
• Masters in Public Affairs, University of Minnesota Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs

Work Experience:
Claudia joined Extension in 2006 after sixteen years in the business sector. She has worked in the fields of engineering and construction as well as real estate, and has been involved in management, communications, strategic leadership, advocacy, negotiation and program development. At the University of Minnesota?s Humphrey Institute, Claudia studied planning, facilitation, strategic causal mapping, shared power leadership, public participation processes, cost analysis and policy analysis.

Affiliations, Honors and Community Service:

• Member: National Association of Community Economic Development Professionals, Community Development Association
• Boards of Directors: Minnesota Realtors? Association, NorthMetro Realtors? Association, Becker County Chamber of Commerce, Caring Rivers United Way
• Certificates and Licenses: Residential Building Contractor, State of Minnesota and California, Hazardous Material Certification/Home Improvement Certification, State of Minnesota Licensed Real Estate Agent

Northwest Minnesota
Art Nash, Jr.

Extension Regional Office, Crookston
251 Owen Hall
2900 University Avenue
Crookston, MN  56716

Email: artlnash@umn.edu
Phone:  218-281-8689
Fax:  218-281-8686

Counties Served:
Beltrami, Clearwater, Kittson, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, Roseau

Education:

• B.S., Social Studies, Teaching 1989; Economics, 1986, Bemidji State University
• M.S. Resource and Applied Economics, 2002, University of Alaska, Fairbanks
• Graduate Studies in Cross Cultural/Pastoral, Bethel and Lutheran Brethren Seminaries, Minnesota

Work Experience:
Art has over a decade of experience in education, having taught in community, professional, reservation, public school, community college, and university settings. Most recently, Art provided survey, data and stats analysis to a variety of clients as an educational and health economist. He worked as a social services professional in Alaska, and recently coordinated an environmental waste summer program in Minnesota. Within his professional positions, he has made presentations on a variety of topics related to care giving, health, and best practices in service delivery.

Affiliations, Honors and Community Service:

• Member:  National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals, Community Development Society, Business Retention and Expansion International, Economic Development Association of Minnesota
• Toastmasters: Medalist in presentation contests 
• Arctic Winter Games:  Three-time Long Distance Snowshoe medalist
• 2005 Healthcare and Aging Award: Program Recognized for Innovation and Quality- Sponsored by Pfizer Medical Humanities Initiative given to the Tanana Chiefs Conference Family Caregiver Program

Southwest Minnesota
Neil Linscheid

Extension Regional Office, Marshall
1424 E College Drive, Suite 100
Marshall, MN 56258-2087

Email: lins0041@umn.edu
Phone: 507-337-2814
Fax:  507-337-2802

Counties Served:
Chippewa, Cottonwood, Jackson, Lac Qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, Rock, Yellow Medicine

Education:

• Master of Public Policy, May 2007, University of Minnesota Humphrey Institute, Minneapolis, MN (Concentration in Community and Economic Development)
• Bachelor of Arts, December 2004, University of Minnesota, Morris
  Major: Political Science

Work Experience:
A native of St. Paul, MN, Neil's career interests turned to rural Minnesota during his college years at the University of Minnesota Morris. There, he was a research assistant for the Center for Small Towns, and co-authored papers about the intersection of rural Minnesota and the media, business and affordable health care. He has worked for Minnesota Rural Partners as a Rural Policy Intern. Most recently, he was the Economic Development Director for Region Five Development Commission. There, he was responsible for the design, implementation and evaluation of economic development programs and initiatives.

Published Research:

• Thorson, Greg; Linscheid, Neil; Schmidt, Tara. 2004. The Search for Affordable Health Care in Rural Minnesota: Prospects and Problems for Market-based Solutions. Center for Small Towns: Morris, MN.
• Winchester, Benjamin; Linscheid, Neil. 2004. Benson Business Barometer Survey. Center for Small towns: Morris, MN.
• Winchester, Benjamin; Linscheid, Neil; Schmidt, Tara; and Abby Von Arx. 2004. Media Message of Rural: Lessons from Minnesota. Center for Small Towns: Morris, MN

South Central Minnesota
David Nelson

Extension Regional Center, Mankato
1961 Premier Drive, Suite 110
Mankato, MN 56001

Email: nelso417@umn.edu
Phone: 507-389-6660
Fax: 507-389-6787

Counties Served:
Blue Earth, Brown, Faribautt, Kandiyohi, Martin, McLeod, Meeker, Nicollet, Renville, Sibley, Waseca

Special Projects:
Exploration of community based entrepreneurship models

Education:

• B.S., Business Administration, Moorhead State University
• MBA, Entrepreneurship, College of St. Thomas

Work Experience:
David has worked in the Economic Development for over 25 years on the local, regional and state level.  His economic development experience is complemented by ten years of rural emersion as a farm owner/manager.  David’s work with Extension has focused on rural development, including cooperatives, rural retail, tourism, healthcare, entrepreneurship, and business retention & expansion.

Affiliations, Honors and Community Service:

• Certificates: BR&E Master Consultant, E2 Energizing Entrepreneurship Instructor, Blandin Community Leader, Certified National Development Council Business Finance Specialist
• Boards of Directors: Heartland Community Action Agency, West Central Minnesota Sustainable Partnership, Pro-Ag, Farm Bureau, Willmar Schools Finance Committee, West Central Regional Outreach Center advisory committee, University of Minnesota Office of Business Development advisory committee.

South Central Minnesota
Timothy Dolan

Co Ext Educ, Ag Prod Sys & Community Dev
UM Ext Sibley Cnty
County Service Ctr, 111 8th St PO Box 207
Gaylord, MN 55334

Email: dolan008@umn.edu
Phone: 507-237-4103
Fax: 507-237-4099

Counties Served:
Sibley

Special Projects:
Chair, Sibley County Trails Committee

Education:

• B.S., Education, University of Minnesota
• Masters, Adult Education, University of Minnesota

Work Experience:
Tim joined Extension in 1990 after a career in education, teaching high school agriculture and industrial arts in high school. Earlier in his career, he spent two years as a Peace Corps volunteer in Brazil. His interest in international education continues. He travels yearly to Zambia, Africa, where he works to increase the capacity of Zambia’s Extension Service through coaching and teaching. As a Sibley County educator, he works with both Community Economics and Agricultural Areas of Expertise.

Affiliations, Honors and Community Service:

• Member: National Association of Community Economic Development Professionals, Community Development Association, National Association of County Agricultural Agents, Minnesota Association of Extension Educators.
• Boards of Directors: Sibley East School Board.
• Awards: Educator of the Year, 2001, Farm Bureau; Distinguished Service Award, NACA, 2001.

Central Minnesota
Adeel Ahmed

REE, Community Economics
Ext Regl Ctr St. Cloud
Midtown Office Complex
3400 First Street N, Suite 400
St. Cloud, MN 56303-4000

Email: ahme0004@umn.edu
Phone: 320-203-6109
Fax: 320-203-6110

Counties Served:
Benton, Cass, Crow Wing, Hubbard, Morrison, Stearns, Todd, Wadena

Special Projects:
Entrepreneurship Program Development

Education:

• B.S., Chemistry, University of Minnesota
• Masters in Public Policy, Concentration: Program Evaluation
• University of Minnesota Humphrey Institute

Work Experience:
Adeel has taught community economic development with the Peace Corps in Tanzania. At the Humphrey Institute, he conducted a feasibility study on the use of switch grass as an alternative energy source. With a Boren Fellowship, Adeel studied the status and role of madrassas (religious schools) in the Pakistani educational system. Adeel also has several years of private sector employment in information technology at Northwest Airlines, Koch Industries and Emerson Process. Adeel thrives in multi-cultural settings, is fluent in Urdu (the primary language of 1.2 billion people in India and Pakistan), and has language competency in Swahili and Arabic.

Affiliations, Honors and Community Service:

• Founder, Muslim Youth of Minnesota
• Boren Fellow, U.S. Department of Defense

West Central Minnesota
Ryan Pesch

REE, Community Economics
Extension Regional Center, Fergus Falls
223 W Cavour Ave,
Fergus Falls, MN 56537

Email: pesch@umn.edu
Phone: 218-998-5794
Fax: 218-998-5798

Counties Served:
Becker, Big Stone, Clay, Douglas, Grant, Otter Tail, Pope, Stevens, Swift, Traverse, Wilkin

Special Projects:
Team Leader, Public Finance Programming

Education:

• Master of Urban and Regional Planning, Spring 2004, University of Minnesota Humphrey Institute, Minneapolis, MN
• Teaching English as a Second Language (TEFL) Certification, May 2000, Hamline University, St. Paul, MN
• Bachelor of Arts, May 1999, Summa Cum Laude, Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter, MN
  Majors: Honors Classics and History

Work Experience:
Ryan has developed and delivered Extension Community Economics programming in northwest and west central Minnesota since 2004.  In that capacity, he has delivered business retention and expansion programming, retail trade analysis and small stores success workshops.  He has also developed public finance programming with Department of Applied Economics faculty, and adapted the Access ECommerce program to the needs of direct farm marketers.  Before coming to Extension, Ryan taught at the elementary and post-secondary level in West St. Paul and in Trabzon, Turkey.   At the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, Ryan researched case studies of rural knowledge and industry clusters, and researched and hosted regional planning meetings for economic development planning coming from the West Central Initiative.  In addition to experience in teaching and rural development, Ryan has experience in sustainable agriculture as an intern, an independent farmer/ business owner and a grocer.

Affiliations, Honors and Community Service:

• Dean and Director’s Award to Distinguished Extension Team for Retail Analysis and Development Program
• Bolan Scholarship, Humphrey Institute scholarship in planning (one of two)
• Phi Beta Kappa, national academic fraternity
• Partners in Scholarship Scholar, Gustavus research scholarship
• Eti Sigma Phi, National Classics fraternity
• Member: Community Development Society, National Academy of Community Development Extension Professionals, BR&E International 

Northeast Minnesota
John Bennett

REE, Community Economics
Ext Regl Ctr Cloquet
Cloquet Forestry Center
179 University Road
Cloquet, MN 55720-9506

Email: jbennett@umn.edu
Phone: 218-726-6471
Fax: 218-879-0857

Counties Served:
Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, St. Louis

Education:

• B.S. Geography and Urban and Regional Studies University of Minnesota Duluth
• Masters in Public Policy and Administration Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois

Work Experience:
John’s undergraduate work at the University of Minnesota Duluth was in geography and urban and regional studies. John has experience in city planning in Brooklyn Park, MN, community recreation programming in Duluth and graduate program coordination at Northwestern University. His research project at Northwestern University was entitled, Getting Creative with Economic Development: Can Regional Economies Attract New Business and Industry by Using Quality of Life Economic Development Techniques?

Affiliations, Honors and Community Service:

• Board Member: Duluth-Superior Area Community Foundation, Attracting and Retaining Young Adults Initiative

Southeast Minnesota
Bruce Schwartau

Extension Regional Center, Rochester
863 30th Avenue SE
Rochester, MN 55904-4915

Email: bwschwar@umn.edu
Phone: 507-536-6308
Fax: 507-280-2872

Counties Served:
Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, LeSueur, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Scott, Steele, Wabasha, Waseca, Winona

Special Projects:
Team-leader, Retail Analysis & Development program.

Education:

• B.S., Agricultural Business Administration, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
• M.Ed., Adult Education, University Of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Work Experience:
While Bruce works in all areas of community economics, he provides leadership to programs that helps communities analyze their economic situation and develop a framework for decision-making.  Bruce has been a presenter at the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce Mini-Institute, National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals Annual Conference, Public Issues Leadership Development Conference, and the 2006 Outreach Scholarship Conference.  Before coming to Extension, Bruce worked in sales and marketing with several multi-national firms.

Affiliations, Honors and Community Service:

• Board of Directors: Minnesota Association of Extension Educators, 2006-2007
• Awards: Communications Award:  National Association of County Agricultural Agents
  Friend of 4-H, Brown and Dodge counties
• Memberships: Business Retention & Expansion International
  Economic Development Association of Minnesota
  Community Development Society
  National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals

East Central Minnesota and East Metro
Liz Templin

REE, Community Economics
Extension Regional Center, Andover
Bunker Hills Activity Center
550 Bunker Lake Blvd. NW Suite L-1
Andover, MN  55304-4199

Email: Templin@umn.edu
Phone: 612-360-4532 or toll free 888-241-0719
Fax: 763-767-3885

Counties Served:
Chisago, Dakota, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Pine, Ramsey, Washington

Special Projects:
Business Retention and Expansion program, including training consultants internationally

Education:

• B.S., Family Social Science, University of Minnesota
• M.Ed., Adult Education, University of Minnesota
• Extensive additional coursework in Economics
• (In progress) PhD. student in Evaluation Studies, University of Minnesota

Work Experience:
Liz partners with local government officials and economic development groups to assess and enhance the sources of jobs and income in communities.  Examples of past projects include facilitating a community study of a potential merger of Forest Lake city and township, fostering broadband access in Aitkin County, helping businesses access resources for employee retention as part of the Washington County welfare-to-work initiative, and conducting a business retention and expansion program with fast growing manufacturing firms near University Avenue in St. Paul.  She has been a presenter at national and international conferences, and a consultant to national and international non-profit organizations.

Prior to her Extension career, Liz worked in corporate public relations for a large Minnesota food processing company and ran her own photography business.  She began her Extension career with the 4-H program where she was known for her work in youth leadership development.  In 1990, Liz was a Bush Fellow in the Applied Economics Department at the University of Minnesota where she took extensive coursework related to community economics and worked with faculty on applied research projects.  In 2000, Liz served as the Extension Fellow with the Association of Minnesota Counties.

Affiliations, Honors and Community Service:

• Awards: Dean and Director's Award for Distinguished Extension Faculty, 2004
  Distinguished Service Award, Minnesota Community and Natural Resources Association Distinguished Service Award, National Association of Extension 4-H Agents
  Kellogg Foundation Fellow in International Development through Partners of the Americas
• Member: National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals
  Community Development Association
  Minnesota Association of Extension Educators (Past President)
  Economic Development Association of Minnesota
  Business Retention and Expansion International
  Minnesota-Uruguay Partners of the Americas (Past President)
  Epsilon Sigma Phi
• Certifications: Certified Economic Development Finance Professional from the National Development Council
  Myers-Briggs Type Indicator

Visiting Assistant Extension Professor

Bruce Sorte
sorte008@umn.edu

Education:

• B.S. Economics, Oregon State University, Corvallis
• Graduate Study, Economics, University of Montana, Missoula
• Graduate Study, Economics, Portland State University, Portland
• M.A.I.S. (Agricultural Economics and Political Science) Oregon State University, Corvallis

Work Experience:
Bruce comes to us after a career as an Extension Community Economist and Instructor at Oregon State University. There, he conducted economic impact analyses for various industries. Examples include the economic impacts of bull trout critical habitat designation, the child care industry and county fairs. Before his career in education, Bruce worked in banking, retail, manufacturing and government. His thesis in 2002 at Oregon State University was entitled Building Economically Resilient Rural Communities.

Affiliations, Honors and Community Service:

• City Council Member, Corvallis, OR
• Housing and Community Development Chair
• President, Faculty Senate, Oregon State University
• Phi Kappa Phi
• Oldfield/Jackman Tearm Award, 2004