Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce announces 2013 board of directors, chairman

PRLog (Press Release) - Jan. 22, 2013 - MINNEAPOLIS (Jan. 17, 2013) — The Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce (MRCC) has announced its 2013 chairman and board of directors. The Nominating Committee, consisting of Susan Adams Loyd, Will Roach, Bill Jonason, Laura McCarten and Todd Klingel, presented and recommended the new candidates.

New members of the board include Lester Bagley, vice president of public affairs and stadium development of the Minnesota Vikings; David Hakensen, senior vice president and general manager of Fleishman-Hillard Inc; and Matt Johnson, senior vice president and director of architecture of Welsh Companies Inc.

In addition, officer appointments for the board have changed in 2013. Bill Jonason of Dorsey & Whitney, LLP, will succeed Charlie Zelle of Jefferson Lines as chairman of the board starting Jan. 1, 2013. A partner at Dorsey, Jonason has served on the MRCC board of directors since 2007. Susan Adams Loyd of Clear Channel Outdoor will continue as past chair. Patricia Grazzini of the Minneapolis Institute of Arts will continue in her role as treasurer.

“I am excited about the opportunity to follow Charlie Zelle’s lead as chairman of the board,” Jonason said. “In 2013, the Minneapolis Regional Chamber will continue its focus on metropolitan-wide initiatives that strengthen our ability to grow existing business and attract new ones.  Continuing to press for a competitive transportation system for the region will be our top priority, followed closely by workforce development and an enhanced business climate.”

Jonason has been a partner in Dorsey’s corporate group for more than 20 years. In addition, he has been a member of the Dorsey & Whitney Policy Committee for eight years, is chairman of the Closely Held Businesses practice group, and a member of the Board of Directors of Dorsey & Whitney Foundation.

The full 2013 board of directors includes:

Todd Anlauf, Oppenheimer Wolff & Donnelly, LLP
Jim Bena, UPS
Don Bornhorst, Delta Airlines
Randy Boushek, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans
Mike Dimond, Fox Sports North
Kristine Donatelle, Donatelle Law, PLCC
Kip Elliot, Minnesota Twins Baseball
Debbie Ferry, Goodwill/Easter Seals
Tom Gerster, DLR Group
Eric Halvorson, Coloplast
JoaAnn Hanson, CenturyLink
Steve Jahn, Finance and Commerce
Ted Johnson, Minnesota Timberwolves
Bill Jonason, Dorsey & Whitney, LLP (board chairman)
Brien Kennedy, WCCO-TV
Mike Klingensmith, Star Tribune
Lee Koch, Ordway Center for the Performing Arts
Cory Koeppner, RBC Capital Markets
Toni Lea, ING Employee Benefits
Kevin Lewis, Greater Minneapolis BOMA
Mark Lucke, TCF National Bank
Laura McCarten, Xcel Energy
Jeffrey D. Peterson, Abbott Northwestern Hospital
David Prince, Associated Bank, N.A.
Irene Quarshie, Target Corporation
Will Roach, Baker Till Virchow Krause
Jim Roth, Metropolitan Consortium of Community Developers
Dan Seeman, WFMP/FM10
Kenneth Sorensen, Mortenson Construction
Mark Stenglein, Minneapolis Downtown Council
David Tashjian, Comcast
Melvin Tennant, Meet Minneapolis
Phil Trier, US Bank
Joe Vortherms, CenterPoint Energy

###

The Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1881 and works to create strong partnerships to unite and grow member businesses in the Twin Cities. The Chamber and its two affiliates, the Bloomington Chamber of Commerce and Northeast Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce, serve 1,400 businesses in the 11-county metro area and focuses on public policy, economic development and member services. More information about the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce is available at www.minneapolischamber.org.