Staff
Administrative staff
Youth and placement programs staff
AmeriCorps young adult programs staff
Regional staff:
- Northeast Minnesota
- Northwest/Central Minnesota
- Central/Twin Cities
- Southern Minnesota
- Iowa
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
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Len Price, Executive Director
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Cindy Green, Development Director Cindy directs communications and fundraising activities since joining the Conservation Corps in 2007. She has more than 25 years experience in communications and fundraising, including past positions as a community newspaper publisher, public television development director and producer, writer/researcher for state legislators, and ag research center communications director and grant program manager. Cindy holds a bachelor’s degree in mass communications/journalism and American studies from Minnesota State University Moorhead.  651-209-9900 x16
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Roni McKenna, Finance Manager Roni is responsible for preparing and managing the organizational budget, and preparing monthly financial statements for the board of directors and end-of-the year financial reports for government agencies, funders and stakeholders. She has been with the Conservation Corps since 2006 and, previously served as an Ecolab accounting assistant and Opal Home Services supervisor for adults with disabilities. Roni received a bachelor’s degree in business management and communications from Concordia University in St. Paul and an associate’s degree in accounting and business management from Rasmussen Business College. 651-209-9900 x28 |
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Charissa Brudnak, Human Resources Coordinator As the Conservation Corps’ part-time Human Resources generalist since 2008, Charissa manages employee policies, pay and benefits. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and master’s degrees in human resources and industrial relations and Russian area studies from the University of Minnesota. She also volunteers at the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center’s mammal nursery. 952-270-0621
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Carissa Butler, Recruitment Coordinator Carissa oversees all recruitment and outreach coordination at the Corps. Carissa has two years of AmeriCorps experience, most recently serving as the Corps' Diversity and Inclusion VISTA and serving as a corpsmember in 2008 with Southeast Alaska Guidance Association (SAGA) where she completed natural resource and trail work. Carissa graduated from Temple University in Philadelphia, PA with degrees in Journalism and Anthropology. 651-209-9900 x31 |
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Yee Moua, Finance Coordinator Yee assists with payroll, accounting, and data tracking. Previously, he held positions at Wells Fargo as a document manager and at UV Color Inc. as a data management technician. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and business administration from Concordia University in St. Paul. 651-209-9900 x25
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Connie Lanphear, Communications & Marketing Associate Connie helps design and manage public, media and alumni communications, the Conservation Corps website and assists with fundraising. She has more than 25 years experience in communications, including work as a graphic designer, editor, writer and development specialist, for a major publisher, her own freelance company and, more recently, several environmental nonprofits. Connie holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Minnesota and a master’s in liberal studies from Hamline University. 651-209-9900 x26
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Nicole Skurich, Administrative Associate
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AMERICORPS YOUTH AND PLACEMENT PROGRAMS STAFF
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Eric Antonson, Youth Programs Manager Eric manages staff and service projects for the residential Summer Youth Program and directed the launch of Youth Outdoors, an urban afterschool program for high school students. Eric has been involved in corps service for almost a decade, starting out as a Minnesota Conservation Corps crew leader then coordinator for the Summer Youth Program. Eric was also a team leader with the National Civilian Conservation Corps. He holds a bachelor’s degree in teaching life science from the University of Minnesota Duluth. 651-209-9900 x11
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John Stelzner, Youth Outdoors Coordinator John manages Youth Outdoors crew leaders, youth participants, service projects and education. He has served with the Upward Bound program, Bell Museum of Natural History and Dodge Nature Center. John also completed two AmeriCorps terms with the Minnesota Conservation Corps in 2007 and 2008. He holds a bachelor’s in environmental studies with an emphasis on environmental education from the University of Minnesota. 651-209-9900 x23
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Nina Eagin, Summer Youth Corps Coordinator Nina joined Conservation Corps Minnesota in 2009 to oversee the Summer Youth Corps. She is responsible for recruiting youth, coordinating service projects and managing the program on site at St. Croix State Park. Nina previously served two terms in Conservation Corps Minnesota as a Summer Youth Corps and Youth Outdoors crew leader. She is a former science and American Sign Language teacher and holds a bachelor’s degree in education and American Sign Language professional interpreting from North Central University in Minneapolis. 651-209-9900 x27
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James Adkinson, Program Coordinator James leads coordination for the Home Energy Squads, Conservation Corps Academy and individual AmeriCorps placements. James previously held the position of Outreach and Recruitment Coordinator as well as being a Minnesota Conservation Corps AmeriCorps VISTA. James has also held other AmeriCorps outreach and volunteer management positions at Northwest Service Academy in Portland, AmeriCorps Cape Cod and Harwich Conservation Trust in Massachusetts. He holds a bachelor’s degree in theatre from Millikin University. 651-209-9900 x17
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Brian Hubbard, Program Associate Brian joined Conservation Corps as crew leader in 2002 and 2006, and assistant director of Summer Youth Corps in 2007. He served as youth programs associate for the 2010 summer season and in the fall of 2010 as the Parks and Trails Legacy Strategic Plan Assistant. He currently assists the Summer Youth Corps, Youth Outdoors, Home Energy Squads, Conservation Corps Academy and individual AmeriCorps placements. Brian previously served as an English teacher with the Peace Corps in Benin, West Africa and is certified as an Emergency Medical Technician-Basic. He holds a bachelor’s degree in communications and professional writing, and a master’s of Education in Youth Development and Leadership from the University of Minnesota. 651-209-9900 x33 |
AMERICORPS YOUNG ADULT PROGRAMS STAFF
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Tim Johnson-Grass, Operations Manager Tim has overseen all AmeriCorps young adult programs and staff since 2005. A former Conservation Corps Minnesota crew member, Tim has been involved in conservation corps operations and management for more than 10 years, including five years with EarthCorps in Seattle. He holds a bachelor’s degree in conservation and outdoor recreation from Northern Michigan University. After graduation, he spent six months thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail. 651-209-9900 x18
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Candice McElroy, Assistant Program Manager Candice coordinates young adult AmeriCorps programs, planning member events and training, managing accomplishment tracking and AmeriCorps site administration, developing educational curriculum and communicating with alumni. She joined Conservation Corps Minnesota in 2004 as an AmeriCorps field member then served as a VISTA in 2005. Candice holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies and business management from the University of St. Thomas. 651-209-9900 x24
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REGIONAL STAFF
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Lisa Cassioppi, Northeast District Manager - Grand Rapids, Minn. Lisa directs AmeriCorps members’ training and service projects for crews in Grand Rapids, Eveleth, Tofte, Duluth and Moose Lake. She started serving in the Minnesota Conservation Corps when it was a program of the DNR, first as a crew leader then a forestry project coordinator. Lisa earned an associate of applied sciences degree in natural resources from Vermilion Community College and a bachelor’s degree in outdoor education from Northland College.  218-327-4139 |
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Shawn Conrad, Northeast District Assistant Manager - Grand Rapids Shawn coordinates northeast Minnesota service project such as wildlife surveys, forest inventories, wildfire suppression and habitat restoration. Shawn has served with the Conservation Corps for over a decade, first joining in 2000 as a crew leader then field assistant. Shawn holds a bachelor’s degree in natural resources.  218-327-4342
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Anna Lipenga, Northwest District Manager - Brainerd, Minn. Anna directs AmeriCorps members’ training and service projects for crews in Brainerd, Bemidji, Fergus Falls and Park Rapids. Before joining Conservation Corps Minnesota in 2006, Anna served in the Montana Conservation Corps as a crew leader, in the Student Conservation Association as a LANDFIRE project leader, and in the Peace Corps in Malawi as a forestry extension agent. She holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Minnesota Morris.  218-833-8606 |
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Lauren Vilen, Northwest District Assistant Manager - Bemidji, Minn. Lauren coordinates service projects and training for field crews in northwest Minnesota such as habitat restoration, wildfire suppression, and energy projects including installations of solar heat systems in low-income homes. She joined the Conservation Corps in 2006 as an AmeriCorps member and has served as a crew leader and field assistant. Lauren holds a bachelor’s degree in studio arts from Hamline University.  218-308-2373
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Brian Miller, Central District Manager - St. Paul, Minn. Brian, based in St. Paul, directs AmeriCorps members’ training and service projects for crews in the Twin Cities metro and surrounding area. Brian joined the Conservation Corps as a crew member in 2001 and subsequently served as a crew leader, project coordinator, summer youth program staff and assistant district manager. He holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from St. Olaf College.  651-209-9900 x19
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Dorian Hasselmann, Central District Assistant Manager - St. Paul, Minn. Dorian coordinates training and field projects for Twin Cities area field crews. He served as a Conservation Corps Minnesota field specialist in 2010 and crew leader in 2007. He also served the Environmental Corps in Austin, TX and the Southwest Conservation Corps in Durango, CO. He holds a bachelor's degree in environment and natural resources, with an environmental education emphasis, from the University of Minnesota.  651-209-9900 x20
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Doug Ekstrom, Southern District Manager - Mankato, Minn. Doug is based in Mankato, Minn. and directs AmeriCorps members’ training and service projects for crews in Rochester, Mankato, Windom and Marshall. Doug served in the Conservation Corps from 1990 to 1995, as an AmeriCorps member and crew leader. He worked for the Minnesota DNR and Ducks Unlimited before returning to the Corps in 2006. Doug holds a bachelor’s degree in resource management from Minnesota State University Mankato.  507-345-4744 x108
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Dustin Looman, Southern District Assistant Manager - Rochester, Minn. Dustin coordinates service projects in southern and west central Minnesota such as prairie and oak savanna restoration, wildlife surveys and improving recreation accesses. He is a certified Burn Boss and has years of experience conducting prescribed burns to restore native habitat. Dustin joined the Minnesota Conservation Corps in 2003 as an AmeriCorps member, then served as a crew leader. He holds a bachelor’s degree in recreation and tourism from Winona State University.  507-206-2896
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Chris Severson, Iowa Program Manager - Ames, Iowa
Chris, based in Ames, Iowa, helped launch Conservation Corps Iowa in 2009. She manages two AmeriCorps crews and coordinates natural resource projects throughout Iowa. The previous two years, she served as a Conservation Corps crew leader in southern Minnesota. She has also served in the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps, and worked for the Copper Mountain Ski Resort and Yellowstone Co-op Recreation. Chris holds a bachelor’s degree in human development from the University of Wisconsin-Stout and a master’s in recreation administration from the University of Nebraska Omaha.
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