Board of Directors
MAP is governed by a nine-member board of directors, which is elected annually. The directors represent a cross-section of backgrounds and bring a variety of strengths to the board. Concerned primarily with policy, the board helps determine the organization’s strategic direction and supports its work by advocating for specific legislation with state and federal policymakers.
Board members
Joyce A. Powell
Laporte, MN
- Current position: Guest services representative, North Country Regional Hospital, since 2003
- Previous positions: Mayor, Laporte, MN., 1991-2006; registered nurse, Ah Gwah Ching Care Center, 1974-1998
- Community involvement: Headwaters Regional Development Commission, Minnesota Nurses Association, Trinity Lutheran Church, Laporte
- Educational background: Nursing
- MAP board: Director since 2005, serves on personnel committee
- E-mail: japowell@paulbunyan.net
Richard C. Bernt
Stratton, NE
- Current position: Vice president, McCook National Bank, Stratton, Neb., since 1985
- Previous positions: Branch manager, Clarinda (Iowa) Production Credit Association, 1984-1985; O’Neill (Neb.) Production Credit Association, 1981-1984
- Community involvement: Southwest Nebraska Community Betterment, Inc. board; West Central Development District board, president, Stratton Housing Committee; Village of Stratton board; Stratton Area Chamber of Commerce
- Educational background: Ag business, marketing and management
- MAP board: Director since 2005; serves on audit committee
- E-mail: rbernt@gpcom.net
Richard A. Cavender, chair
Rolla, MO
- Current position: Executive Director, Meramec Regional Planning Commission, St. James, MO, since 1979
- Previous positions: Director of Planning and Development, Mid-America Regional Council (MARC), Kansas City, MO 1969-1979; Adjunct Professor of Economics, University of Missouri-Rolla, 2004-2005
- Community involvement: Ozarks Council Boy Scouts of America, Christ Episcopal Church, St. James Methodist Church, University of Missouri Long Range Planning Liaison Committee
- Educational background: MA in Economics, University of Missouri, Kansas City, BA in Economics, Southwest Missouri State University
- MAP board: Since February, 2010
- E-mail: racjac1@mac.com
Matt Donnelly
Gallatin Gateway, MT
- Current positions: Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering at Montana Tech, Butte, MT; Technology Associate, Quanta Technology, Raleigh, NC; General Manager, Gallatin Gateway County Water & Sewer District, Gallatin Gateway, MT
- Previous positions: Senior Director, Transmission R&D, Quanta Technology, Raleigh, NC 2008-2009; Vice President, Alpha Technologies, Bellingham, WA 2006-2008; Staff Research Engineer, Pacific Northwest National Lab, Richland, WA 1992-1998 and 2002-2006; Sr. Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, Sustainable Energy Technologies, Calgary, AB 2000-2001
- Community involvement: Gallatin Gateway County Water & Sewer District
- Educational background: Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Montana State University, MBA in Business Administration, University of Washington, MS in Electrical Engineering, Montana State University, BS in Agricultural Engineering, University of Arizona
- MAP board: Since October, 2010
- E-mail: m.k.donnelly@ieee.org
Cornelia Flora
Ames, IA
- Current position: Charles F. Curtiss Distinguished Professor of Sociology and Agriculture and Life Sciences, Iowa State University since 2001
- Previous positions: Director, North Central Regional Center for Rural Development, Iowa State University 1994-2009; Head, Department of Sociology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA University Professor, Kansas State University, 1970-1989; Program Officer, Ford Foundation, Bogota, Colombia 1978-1980
- Community involvement: AMOS (A MidIowa Organizing Strategy), United Church of Christ-Congregational, Ames
- MAP board: Director 2002-2006 and since 2009
- E-mail: cflora@iastate.edu
Linda Salmonson
Estelline, SD
- Current position: Economic Development Manager, East River Electric Power Cooperative, Inc., 1991-present
- Previous position: Director, SD Entrepreneurship Program, Watertown Area Career Learning Center 1986-1991
- Community Involvement: Lake Area Improvement Corporation, Madison SD, Board of Directors, vice-chairpeson; SD Rural Enterprise, Inc., Sioux Falls, SD, Board of Directors, past chairperson; National Association of Development Organizations, Washington, DC, Board of Directors; Girl Scouts Dakota Horizons, Board of Directors, chairperson
- Educational background: BS, Commercial Economics, South Dakota State University; Economic Development Finance Professional, National Development Council; Economic Development Institute, Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis
- MAP board: Director 2002-2004, served on loan fund committee in 2005 and since 2009
- E-mail: lsalmonson@eastriver.coop
Galen Wiser
Wayne, NE
- Current position: President, State National Bank & Trust Company Board of Directors. Has also previously served as Senior Vice President, Vice President, and Agricultural Representative, 1976-present
- Previous positions: Associated Insurance & Investments, 1975-1976; Assistant Manager, Triangle Finance Company, 1974-1975; US Navy
- Community involvement: Wayne Rotary Club; Wayne United Way Board Member; Wayne Chamber of Commerce; Grace Lutheran Church; Wayne State College Board of Trustees; Lewis & Clark Board of Realtors; Scout Master; Original Haven House Board of Directors; American Legion
- Educational background: BS, Wayne State College
- MAP board member since 2011
- E-mail: gwiser@state-national-bank.com
John T. Woodwick
Mankato, MN
- Current position: Executive Director, Minnesota Valley Action Council, Inc, Mankato, MN, 1996-present
- Previous positions: Director of Family Services, Director of Employment, Employment Counselor
- Community involvement: Greater United Way of Mankato Board of Directors; MN Community Action Partnership Board of Directors; Nicollet Family Collaborative Board; Waseca Family Services Collaborative Board; State FAIM Council Board member
- Educational background: Bachelor of Science
- MAP board: 1996-2008 and 2010-present
- E-mail: john@mnvac.org