The Owatonna FoundationBoard of Trustees recently held its Annual Meeting at the Steele County History Center. During the Annual Meetingtwo new Trustees were appointed. They are: Dr. Jay Monson and Corey Mensink.

Dr. Jay Monson: Dr. Monson is the owner of the Monson Eye Care Center and has been practicing optometry in Owatonna since 1983. Jay’s maternal grandfather, Gerald Imbody was the principal of Owatonna High School during the 1950s. Jay and his wife Lois have raised four children; Jer, Tom, Ann, and Jonathan who were all part of the fourth generation of the Monson Family to graduate from OHS. Ann and her husband James have their only grandchild so far. Hadley is a bundle of energy at sixteen months old. Jay and Lois enjoy traveling to see their children, spending time with family and friends, biking, and Jay also enjoys running half marathons with his kids.

Corey Mensink:  Mensink grew up in southeastern Minnesota, graduated from the University of Wisconsin at LaCrosse, and has been in the banking industry for over 20 years. He is the Market President for U.S. Bank in Owatonna and also serves as a regional team lead for their U.S. Bank  Commercial and Private Banking operations in southeastern Minnesota as well as LaCrosse, Wisconsin.  His wife, Shari, is a Special Education Coordinator for ISD 761, and together they are raising five children. Mensink, is serving, or has served on, the ISD 761 School Board, Rotary Club Board, United Way Board, Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation Board of Trustees, Allina Hospital Board of Trustees,Trinity Lutheran Church Foundation, and the Junior Achievement Board of Directors

Monson and Mensink 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 foundation. These two community members, like the other trustees, will commit their time and talents to continue the vision of “preserving the past, building the present and funding the future.” said Owatonna Foundation Board President, Betsy Lindgren.

Other Trustees that were reappointed to the Board for a five year term included: Charles Herrmann, William Beer, Dave Seykora, Gregg Draeger, Matt Kottke, and Tom Dufresne. Trustees Otto Nelson and Paul Arnfelt were graciously thanked for their service on the Board and were given Emeritus Status.

The following Trustees were elected to serve as officers: President: Betsy Lindgren, Vice President: Dennis Meillier, and Secretary/Treasurer: Ray Stawarz. Lindgren is the first woman elected as President of the Foundation’s Board of Directors, she shared: “I am honored to take on the role of Board President and to continue the growth and development of the Foundation that those leaders before me, especially Past President, Dave Einhaus, have accomplished. We have been incredibly blessed at the Foundation with dedicated Trustees and with donors committed to making Owatonna a great community. As its Board President I look forward to continuing the proud legacy of the Foundation as it invests in ideas, visions, and people.”

Other members of the Board of Trustees include: Dr. Brian Bunkers, Gerald Deetz, Gregg Draeger, David Einhaus, Dale Gandrud, Todd Hale, Bob Heers, Kent Kienholz, Michael Jensen, Jay Johnson, Robert Jungbluth, Chadwick Lange, Tim McManimon, Gene Michaelson, Andy Michaletz, Michael Milstead, Carol Nelson, Sabra Otteson, Julie Rethemeier, Dave Seykora, Sharon West, Kenneth Wilcox, Dennis Von Ruden, and Dr. Carol Winter.

Business at the Annual Meeting included the awarding of grants to Owatonna High School’s Athletic Department, Little Theatre of Owatonna, Steele County Historical Society, Owatonna Business Incubator and St. Mary’s School, along with the kick-off of the Foundation’s Annual Business Fundraising Campaign.

Incorporated in 1957, the Foundation has served the Owatonna community for 59 years, providing over $11.7 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.

Foundation Trustees pictured left right:

Seated: Kent Kienholz, Matt Kottke, Ray Stawarz, Betsy Lindgren, David Einhaus, Charles Herrmann, Jay Johnson, Gerald Deetz and Carol Nelson

Second row: Gene Michaelson, Michael Jensen, Julie Rethemeier, Sharon West, Dr. Carol Winter, Tom Dufresne, Andy Michaletz, Dennis Meillier, and Tim McManimon

Third row: Mike Milstead, Stephen Smith, William Beer, Dennis Von Ruden, Gregg Draeger, Chadwick Lange, Monte Mitchell, Dave Seykora, Bob Heers and Todd Hale

Not pictured: Dr. Brian Bunkers, Corey Mensink, Dr. Jay Monson, Robert Jungbluth, Sabra Otteson, Kenneth Wilcox, and Dale Gandrud