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, president
Laporte, Minn.
- Current position: Guest services representative, North Country Regional Hospital, since 2003
- Previous positions: Mayor, Laporte, Minn., 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
Shari Weber, vice president
Vassar, Kan.
- Current position: Executive director, Community Bankers Association of Kansas, Topeka, 2004-present
- Previous positions: Kansas State Legislature, 10 years; sssistant majority leader of the House 1999-2000; majority leader of the House 2001-2002; Children’s Cabinet of the State of Kansas
- Community involvement: Lutheran Church Missouri Synod Capital Campaign board, Concordia, Mo.
- Educational background: Political science, public policy
- MAP board: Director from 2003 to present
- E-mail: shari@cbak.com
Cheryl Boles, secretary-treasurer
New Virginia, Iowa
- Background: More than 20 years’ experience in business, community, government and public relations
- Community involvement: Chair, New Virginia (Iowa) Sanitary Sewer District Board; Emergency Medical Technician, since 1974
- MAP board: Director 2002-2005 and 2007-present
- E-mail: cboles@aecenterprises.com
Gloria Askin
Baker, Mont.
- Current position: Executive manager, Tupperware since 1982
- Background: Owner, Askin 4 Ink
- Community involvement: Serves on Action for Eastern Montana Governing board, since 1987; HRDC Advisory Council board
- MAP board: Director since 1995. Also serves on MAP Loan Fund board; and the personnel, executive and audit committees
- E-mail: paskin@midrivers.com
Richard C. Bernt
Stratton, Neb.
- 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: rich@mnb1.com
Richard A. Cavender
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: rac@meramecregion.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 Develoment 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
- Education: BS, Commmercial Economics, South Dakota State University; Economic Development Finance Professional, National Development Council; Economic Development Insititue, 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
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