At a recent meeting of the Owatonna Foundation Board of Trustees two new Trustees were elected to serve on the Foundation’s Board of Directors. They are Jolayne Mohs and Dr. Bob Wottreng.

Jolayne Mohs: Ms. Mohs is the Director of Community Engagement at Mohs Contracting. She and her husband, Scott, have three boys and own and operate Mohs Contracting. She has served on the Trinity Nursery School Board and Owatonna Public Library Board and is a graduate of Leadership Owatonna and the Blandin Community Leadership Program. She currently serves on the Owatonna School Board and the Owatonna Hospital Foundation Board. Mohs stated: “I believe the Foundation has done an amazing job of contributing to the dreams of people and organizations by financially supporting projects and amenities that promote a strong quality of life. I believe the Foundation plays an important role in moving the Owatonna community forward and making it a place where individuals and families want to work, live and stay.”

Dr. Bob Wottreng:  Dr. Wottreng and his wife, Karen, have three boys and together they own and operate Wottreng Family Dental. He has served as a volunteer for the American Red Cross, was an Owatonna Public Schools facility task force member, served on the Owatonna School Board and is currently an adult leader for Good Shepherd Lutheran Church’s Youth Ministry and is a volunteer instructor for Junior Achievement. Wottreng noted: “The Foundation has its greatest impact when it educates and empowers individuals, businesses, and other organizations to support Foundation strategic initiatives that focus on improving the long term quality of life for our community members.”

Mohs and Wottreng join 33 other Trustees that comprise the Foundation Board. “We’re pleased to welcome these new Trustees to the Foundation Board. The Owatonna Foundation is our community’s foundation. These two new members, like the other trustees, will commit their time and talents to continue the Foundation’s mission of:  “improving the quality of life for present and future generations by supporting Owatonna projects that focus on community, arts, recreation and education”. We know that their passion for Owatonna will serve the Foundation Board well.” said Owatonna Foundation Board President, Betsy Lindgren.

The following Trustees serve as the Foundation’s officers: President: Betsy Lindgren, Vice President: Dennis Meillier, and Secretary/Treasurer: Ray Stawarz.

Other members of the Board of Trustees include: William Beer, Dr. Brian Bunkers, Gerald Deetz, Gregg Draeger, Tom Dufresne, David Einhaus, Dale Gandrud, Todd Hale, Bob Heers, Charles Herrmann, Michael Jensen, Jay Johnson, Robert Jungbluth, Kent Kienholz, Matt Kottke, Chadwick Lange, Tim McManimon, Corey Mensink, Gene Michaelson, Andy Michaletz, Monte Mitchell, Carol Nelson, Sabra Otteson, Julie Rethemeier, Dave Seykora, Stephen Smith, Sharon West, Kenneth Wilcox, Dennis Von Ruden, and Dr. Carol Winter.

Incorporated in 1957, the Foundation has served the Owatonna community for 60 years, providing over $11.8 million dollars in financial support to meet the ever-changing needs of the community. The Foundation makes grants for capital purchases and improvements in the following categories:Community – with projects that have an impact on the quality of life of the people of Owatonna, and the parks and places they use and enjoy.Arts – with projects that support fine arts, both visual and musical, and encouraging a diverse cultural environment.Recreation – with projects that help improve the recreational diversity of Owatonna, offering all ages a recreational outlet throughout the year. Education – with scholarships and improvements promoting literary and scientific ventures and preserving the history of Owatonna.The Foundation also provides $30,000 annually in both traditional and non-traditional scholarships for youth and adults that are residents of Owatonna.

The Foundation office is located at 108 West Park Square, Owatonna. Office hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9 am till 1 pm. For more information please go to the Foundation’s website at www.owatonnafoundation.org, or call 451-2995

Pictured below-left to right: Jolayne Mohs and Dr. Bob Wottreng