Community Economics

West Metro
Claudia Cody

Extension Regional Office, St. Cloud
Midtown Office Complex, 3400 1st St N Ste 400
St. Cloud, MN 56303

Email: cody0031@umn.edu
Phone: 320-203-6053
Fax: 320-203-6110

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

Education:

• B.A., Languages - Translation, Pontificia Universidade Catolica Do Rio De Janeiro
• 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 20+ years in the business sector. She has held leadership roles in the fields of retail, engineering, construction, real estate, 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 Development Extension Professionals, Business Retention and Expansion International, Community Development Society, Economic Development Association of Minnesota, Epsilon Sigma Phi
• Boards of Directors: Minnesota Realtors Association, Curriculum Advisory/System Accountability Committee–Becker ISD #726
• Certificates and Licenses: BRE Project Coordinator, Advanced Cross Cultural Education, Residential Building Contractor, State of Minnesota and California, Hazardous Material Certification/Home Improvement Certification, State of Minnesota Licensed Real Estate Agent
• Awards: Dean and Director’s Award to Distinguished Extension Team for Retail Analysis and Development Program 2006; Certificate of Commendation from State of Minnesota, Office of the Governor, Manufacturers’ Week, Big Lake MN 2006.

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, Faribault, Kandiyohi, Martin, McLeod, Meeker, Nicollet, Renville, Sibley; Watonwan

Special Projects:
Program Leader:  Economic Impact Analysis

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.

Central Minnesota
Adeel Ahmed

Extension Regional Office, St. Cloud
Midtown Office Complex
3400 First Street North, 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:

• Program Development: Roadside Advertising in a Digital World
• Lead:  Business Retention and Expansion Toolkit Web Site

Education:

• Masters in Public Policy, May 2006, University of Minnesota - Humphrey Institute, Minneapolis, MN
• Bachelors of Science in Chemistry, June 1996, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN

Work Experience:
Adeel has developed and delivered Extension Community Economics programming in north central Minnesota since 2006. He has delivered business retention and expansion programming, retail trade analysis, small stores success workshops and market area profiles. He developed the popular “Roadside Advertising in a Digital World” workshop which teaches communities how to position themselves on digital maps such as that found on GPS receivers.  

Adeel taught chemistry and physics in Tanzania with the Peace Corps while practicing community development. 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 role of madrassas (religious schools) in the Pakistani educational system. Adeel also has seven years of private sector experience in information technology at Northwest Airlines, Koch Industries and Emerson Process Management. Adeel thrives in multi-cultural settings, is fluent in Urdu (the primary language in India and Pakistan), and has language competency in Swahili and Arabic.

Affiliations, Honors and Community Service:

• Awards: Boren Fellow, National Security Education Program
• Certifications: Business Retention & Expansion
• Memberships: Epsilon Sigma Phi, Business Retention and Expansion International, Community Development Society, Economic Development Association of Minnesota, National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals

West Central Minnesota
Ryan Pesch

Extension Regional Office, Fergus Falls
220 West Washington Avenue, Suite 201
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:

• Program Lead: Market Area Profile program
• Program Lead:  Direct Farm Marketing

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 west central Minnesota since 2004.  In that capacity, he has delivered business retention and expansion programming, retail trade analysis, eCommerce, Market Area Profile, customer service, and small stores success workshops.  He has also developed public finance programming with Department of Applied Economics faculty, expanded Extension’s retail programming into trade area mapping / GIS analysis, 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:

• Awards:  Dean and Director’s Award to Distinguished Extension Team for Retail Analysis and Development Program; Phi Beta Kappa, national academic fraternity; Eti Sigma Phi, National Classics fraternity
• Member: Community Development Society, National Academy of Community Development Extension Professionals, BR&E International
• Board of Directors: West Central Regional Sustainable Development Partnership, Upper Minnesota River Valley Chapter of Buy Fresh Buy Local 

Northeast Minnesota
John Bennett

Extension Regional Office, 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 has been delivering Community Economics programming in Extension since 2007.   John comes to Extension with a background in public finance, community development and city and regional planning.  His undergraduate work at the University of Minnesota Duluth was in geography and urban and regional studies and his graduate work was completed at Northwestern University in Public Policy and Administration.  
John has helped develop the Business Retention and Expansion Toolkit Handbook curriculum among other programs in Community Economics.  He has delivered Retail Trade Analysis, Small Store Success Strategies, Access eCommerce, among others around northeastern Minnesota and continues to work on programming to meet the needs of the region. 

Affiliations, Honors and Community Service:

• Member:  Economic Development Association of Minnesota; Community Development Society; National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals; Duluth-Superior Area Community Foundation, Attracting and Retaining Young Adults Initiative; Iron Range Economic Alliance; FUSE Duluth Civic Engagement Task Force; Great Lakes Urban Exchange; Business Retention and Expansion International

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, 2006-2008
• Awards: Communications Award:  National Association of County Agricultural Agents; Friend of 4-H, Brown and Dodge counties
• Certification:  Business Retention and Expansion; Implications Wheel
• Memberships: Minnesota Association of Extension Educators (Board, 2006 -2008); 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

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

Email: Templin@umn.edu
Phone:763-767-3880
Fax: 763-767-3885

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

Education:

• B.S., Family Social Science, University of Minnesota
• M.Ed., Adult Education, University of Minnesota
• Extensive additional coursework in Economics

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, and helping businesses access resources for employee retention as part of the Washington County welfare-to-work initiative.  She has conducted Business Retention and Expansion programs with fast-growing manufacturing firms near University Avenue in St. Paul, technology firms in Dakota County, manufacturing firms in the St. Croix Valley, and in the communities of Mora, Pine City, Forest Lake and Princeton. She has presented at national and international conferences, and has been a consultant for an international development organization.

Prior to her Extension career, Liz worked in corporate public relations for a large Minnesota food processing company and ran her own photography business.  In 1990-91, Liz was a Bush Fellow in the Department of Applied Economics at the University of Minnesota where she studied community economics and did applied research.  In 2000, Liz served as the Extension Fellow with the Association of Minnesota Counties.

Affiliations, Honors and Community Service:

• Awards: University of Minnesota Extension Dean and Director's Award for Distinguished Extension Field Faculty (2004), Distinguished Double Bottom Line for Retail Analysis and Development (2005), Distinguished Team for Retail Analysis and Development (2006); 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 (1987-1989)
• Member: Business Retention and Expansion International; Community Development Society; Economic Development Association of Minnesota; Epsilon Sigma Phi; Minnesota Association of Extension Educators (Past President); Minnesota-Uruguay Partners of the Americas (Past President); National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals
• Certifications: Business Retention and Expansion Consultant (Business Retention & Expansion International); Economic Development Finance Professional (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