- Posted 11/16/2000
Contact: Andrew Svec, 218-281-8435
NW MN Regional Partnership Appoints Linda Kingery as Executive Director
The Board of Directors of the Northwest Minnesota Regional Sustainable Development Partnership is pleased to announce that Linda Kingery has accepted the position of Executive Director. Linda currently serves as the Administrator for the Red River Regional Council, headquartered at Grafton, ND. She will begin her new duties December 11.
Jon Evert, Moorhead, Chair of the NW Regional Partnership Board, announced the appointment at the November 10 meeting of the Board. “Linda brings outstanding experience and commitment to the position,” said Evert. He added, “Her degrees in environmental studies and her background working with Boards and other partnership ventures make her an ideal match for the job.”
Kingery says she was drawn to the position because it relies on the creativity of citizen leaders as its foundation. Commenting on the challenge this presents, she said, “Shared decision making is necessary, even if it represents a change in the way business is done, because there are voices that have not been heard in the past.” She added, “I am excited to work with the NW Minnesota Regional Partnership Board. I share its view of possibility, hope, and opportunity for the future.”
The NW Minnesota Regional Sustainable Development Partnership is a new venture for the region, funded by the Minnesota legislature. The Partnership is a joint effort to connect the citizens of Northwest Minnesota with the University of Minnesota. The goal is to enhance the social, economic, and environmental well-being of the region through citizen-led research, education and outreach programs. The University of Minnesota, Crookston is lending support to the Partnership at the regional level.
Minnesota has five regional partnerships, and another two are proposed as part of the University’s legislative request to the 2001 session of the state legislature. Each Partnership has the charge to develop and deliver programs to meet the needs of the region.
Three bedrock principles guide the work of the regional partnership boards. The first is to strive for a rich and vibrant partnership, which links citizens with the University. The second is to commit to programs that promote sustainability of the region. Third is to actively involve citizens in the process.
Each partnership has a regional board of citizens with diverse backgrounds and interests. Board members of the NW MN Regional Board are Maggie Anderson, Middle River; Dave Bergman, Thief River Falls; Marshall Brown, Naytahwaush; Steve Dahl, Roseau; Stephen Davis, Crookston; Jon Evert, Moorhead; Rick Failing, Hallock; Aase Hamnes, Stephen; Steve Helmstetter, Roosevelt; Hans Kandel, Red Lake Falls; Pete Kappes, Ada; Milo Mathison, Mentor; Gretchen Mehmel, Roosevelt; Katie Mergenthal, Crookston; Barbara J Muesing, Fosston; Mary Nell Preisler, Bejou; Dave Torgerson, Erskine; Liz Valdez, Crookston; and Bill Wilcke, St. Paul.
For more information contact: Barbara J Muesing, Director of University Outreach, 218-281-8680.