BOARD OF DIRECTORS
CHRIS ROBERTSON
OTG MANAGEMENT
CHAIR
Chris is Terminal Director for OTG Management at MSP International Airport, where he oversees all day-to-day restaurant and retail operations within Concourse G. Prior to his role at MSP, Chris served as OTG Management’s Operations Manager at LaGuardia Terminals C and D, and was part of the opening team that transformed the aforementioned Delta terminals at LaGuardia Airport. Chris has more than 25 years of management experience in the restaurant and hospitality industry.
BILL DEEF
MEET MINNEAPOLIS
Bill Deef is the Vice President of Community and International Relations for Meet Minneapolis Convention & Visitors Association. Deef has worked for the organization for 30 years to promote the MSP Airport as a gateway and Minneapolis as an international meeting and leisure travel destination. He also serves on the Explore Minnesota Tourism Council and Minnesota District Export Council.
TAMMY HARTMAN
VERIZON WIRELESS
PRESIDENT
Tammy Hartman is RE Regulatory Manager at Verizon Wireless. Previously, she was Vice President of Public Affairs for Clear Channel Outdoor, where she oversaw areas of lobbying, real estate and strategic community partnerships and initiatives. Early in her career, Tammy held various corporate positions with Supervalu and Fidelity National Financial. She earned a Bachelor of Arts – Philosophy from Hamline University and her Juris Doctorate from Hamline University School of Law. Tammy serves on several local committees that focus on important community impact issues such as homelessness and human trafficking. She also is a member of the City of St. Paul Business Review Council.
JOHN NELSON
STELLAR PARTNERS, INC.
VICE PRESIDENT
John, born and raised in Minnesota, has a Bachelor’s of Arts degree from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities in Anthropology. When not working, John finds time to volunteer in his community coaching youth sports like basketball, soccer, and baseball. More importantly, John enjoys spending his time with his wife, married for 20 years, and their two sons; at their cabin, fishing, and playing golf.
John is the Regional Director of Operations in the Mid-West for Stellar Partners Inc. based in Phoenix, Arizona overseeing an $80M travel retail operation in seven airports, including MSP. Prior to coming on board with Stellar Partners Inc, John has been in the travel retail world as the Director of Operations for the $30M retail business at the MSP International Airport with Dufry/Hudson/WDFG from 2014 to 2020. In addition, John brings 24+ years of street retail experience with him, of which 17+ years have been in big box retail, managing $20M-$45M stores for Best Buy, Apple, and Dick’s Sporting Goods in Arizona, New Mexico, and Minnesota. John’s success over the years has come from his focus on the power of relationships and attitudes, influencing and inspiring the internal and external customer experience, and driving the overall profitability and health of the business.
JOHN EDMAN
EXPLORE MN TOURISM
As Director of Explore Minnesota Tourism, John Edman is responsible for the development and implementation of statewide tourism plans, policies and programs to promote Minnesota as a tourism and travel destination. He is the state’s chief spokesperson for tourism-related issues, and manages Explore Minnesota Tourism with approximately 60 full-time staff and an annual budget of $13.9 million.
Edman has more than 25 years of senior management, sales and marketing experience in the leisure and hospitality industry. Edman holds leadership positions on a variety of national and state groups including: the National Council of State Travel Directors Board; the U.S. Travel Association; Great Lakes of North America; the University of Minnesota Tourism Center; and the Airport Foundation MSP. Prior to representing the state’s tourism office, Edman served as Director of Marketing for Carlson Destination Marketing Services. He was responsible for tourism marketing programs for a wide range of state and national tourism destinations throughout the world. Before Carlson Companies, Edman served as Director of Mississippi River Country, U.S.A., an international regional marketing organization, and as a marketing manager for Enright and Associates, a national marketing and management association firm.
actice in 2019. Previously, he served as Senior Vice President and General Counsel for SFM Companies. He has held a variety of influential roles in both the public and private sector.
His governmental experience includes the following: Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, President of the National Association of Government Labor Officials, Assistant Commissioner for the Minnesota Department of Trade and Economic Development, and Deputy Commissioner for the Minnesota Office of Technology.
His private sector career includes leading the Minnesota government and regulatory division for US West/Qwest.
MAUREEN BAUSCH
BOLD NORTH ASSOCIATES
SECRETARY
Maureen has more than 25 years of experience creating and building brand awareness working as an executive for the Mall of America, Minnesota’s biggest tourism destination, and holds unmatched skills in marketing Minnesota to the world.
Prior to joining the Minnesota Super Bowl Host Committee as Chief Executive Officer, Maureen had been with Mall of America since 1990, starting in public relations and moving up to Executive Vice President of Business Development. She was instrumental in building the mall into a national retail destination over the past 25 years.
She has extensive experience in creating and building brand awareness, managing large-scale events, marketing and sales, media relations and guest services. She also recently served as Interim Chief Marketing Office for Mayo Clinic.
Maureen currently operates Bold North Associates, a brand, marketing and public relations consultancy.
THOMAS ANDERSON
RETIRED METROPOLITAN AIRPORTS COMMISSION
Tom Anderson is formerly general counsel for the Metropolitan Airports Commission (retired). Upon his retirement in 2017, Tom had worked for the MAC for more than 40 years.
In addition to his role on the board of directors of Airport Foundation MSP, Tom also serves as chair of the Arts & Culture Steering Committee, which oversees the performing arts, rotating exhibits and permanent, commissioned artwork at MSP Airport.
With an affinity for the arts, Tom also serves as chair of the James Sewell Ballet.
DAN BOIVIN
L70 TECHNOLOGIES
FORMER CHAIR
METROPOLITAN AIRPORTS COMMISSION
Dan Boivin is a Senior Executive with L70 Technologies and also serves as an executive with the Energy Management Collaborative. He is former Chair of the Metropolitan Airports Commission, having been first appointed to the commission in 2002, then being appointed chair in 2011 by Governor Mark Dayton. Boivin served in that role until July, 2019.
During Boivin’s tenure, the Metropolitan Airports Commission led expansion of the Lindbergh Terminal, completed a new Humphrey Terminal, added a fourth runway, and connected the MSP terminals to downtown Minneapolis and the Mall of America via the Hiawatha Light Rail line.
SCOTT BRENER
THE BRENER GROUP
TREASURER
Scott formed his own legislative and regulatory affairs consulting practice in 2019. Previously, he served as Senior Vice President and General Counsel for SFM Companies. He has held a variety of influential roles in both the public and private sector.
His governmental experience includes the following: Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, President of the National Association of Government Labor Officials, Assistant Commissioner for the Minnesota Department of Trade and Economic Development, and Deputy Commissioner for the Minnesota Office of Technology.
His private sector career includes leading the Minnesota government and regulatory division for US West/Qwest.
MAUREEN SCALLEN FAILOR
DAKOTA COUNTY REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Maureen serves as President of the Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce, a position she has held since 2017. She has extensive executive experience within both Minnesota’s nonprofit and business sectors.
Previously, Maureen was President of the Bloomington Chamber of Commerce, where she was responsible for overall organizational management and long-range strategic planning. In that role, Maureen collaborated with the Board of Directors to fulfill the mission and provide strategic direction for the Chamber, ensuring the organization’s continued financial sustainability through long-term planning, forecasting and oversight.
Maureen has also served as Vice President of Government Relations and Vice President of Administration and Customer Relations for Meet Minneapolis.
JAMIE FLAWS
RED OX RESULTS
Jamie Flaws is owner of Red Ox Results, a business strategy consultancy leveraging technology and innovation to transform businesses and increase impact. Previously, she was publisher of Greenspring Media, parent company for Minnesota Monthly, Midwest Home, Where Twin Cities, Real Food, Drinks, and several other publications serving residents and visitors of Minnesota.
Jamie works with several non-profits, having served on the board of Vocal Essence and is now active on their marketing task force. She serves on fundraising gala committees for U of MN Masonic Children’s Hospital Winefest and American Cancer Society’s Legacy Ball. She is a board member of MMPA (Minnesota Magazine and Publisher’s Association) and was a committee member for the 2018 Super Bowl. In her spare time, Jamie enjoys running, cooking, and traveling.
NATALIE FOSTER
DELTA AIRLINES
Natalie Foster is the Director, Above Wing Operations for Delta Air Lines’ operations at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.
Natalie has been with Delta for 20 years, having served in a variety of roles before being named to her newest position in March, 2019.
Natalie attended Hillsdale College, where she achieved a Bachelor of Arts in History, German and Mathematics.
ROY FUHRMANN
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
METROPOLITAN AIRPORTS COMMISSION
Roy Fuhrmann is Chief Operating Officer (COO) for the Metropolitan Airports Commission, responsible for airport planning and development activities and management and operation of Minneapolis-St. Paul International and six general aviation airports in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. He also serves as the MAC’s liaison with airlines, airport tenants, the Federal Aviation Administration, Customs and Border Protection and other local and state agencies related to airport operations, flight navigation, regulations and guidelines.
RICHARD GINSBERG
METROPOLITAN AIRPORTS COMMISSION
Richard Ginsberg serves as a member of the Metropolitan Airports Commission.
Ginsberg is the sole proprietor of The Rotunda Group, a government relations firm that focuses on state and local government issues.
Previously, he worked in the administration of Governor Rudy Perpich, Hennepin County’s Office of Governmental Affairs and the law firm Lockridge Grindal Nauen.
Ginsberg was born and raised in Hibbing, Minn., earned his BA in criminal justice and public administration from St. Cloud State University, and completed course work at Mitchell Hamline School of Law.
BUTCH HOWARD
HMS HOST
Butch is Senior Director of Operations for HMS Host, a global restaurateur which operates concessions at more than 120 airports worldwide, including many at MSP International Airport.
Previously, Butch served as General Manager for HMS Host from 1981 until accepting his current role in 2000.
Butch also serves on the Workforce Innovation Board of Ramsey County.
He holds of Bachelor of Science degree in management and organizational behavior from Rider University.
DAN JASPER
VICE PRESIDENT, COMMUNICATIONS, MALL OF AMERICA
As Vice President of Communications at the Mall of America, Dan Jasper is responsible for driving strategy and oversight for all external earned media and awareness for the company. He manages and directs various departments including public relations, social media, ESP communications hub, storytelling, entertainment, tourism and community relations. Manages other external communications efforts including partnership and community outreach and government affairs.
Dan is responsible for the overall communications strategy for the Mall, crisis communications management, building strong national, regional and local media connections, and serving as primary spokesperson.
ROSS E. KRAMER
RETIRED FROM
MERSSELI & KRAMER
Ross Kramer is a co-founder of Messerli & Kramer and established the firm’s government relations practice. He’s had a passion for government relations since assisting with the passing of a bill during his senior year of law school. A registered lobbyist for 40 years, Ross has spearheaded the political efforts that resulted in such significant projects as the Mall of America, the Minneapolis Convention Center, the Hiawatha Light Rail Corridor and North Star Commuter Rail and both Target Center and Target Field.
In addition to his government relations work – which helped earn Messerli and Kramer its reputation as a lobbying powerhouse – Ross has extensive experience as a professional pilot that makes him a valued consultant and expert witness in aviation cases. A retired lieutenant colonel in the United States Air Force Reserves who flew combat missions during the Vietnam war in 1965-68, where he was awarded the Silver Star and 12 air medals for combat mission, he spent 31 years as a commercial pilot for Northwest Airlines/Delta as a captain of the DC-10 and training other pilots while practicing law full-time.
TERRY MATTSON
VISIT SAINT PAUL
Terry Mattson is the President & CEO at Visit Saint Paul and the RiverCentre Authority.
Mattson became CEO of the Minnesota capital city’s official convention and visitor’s bureau
effective February, 2014. He previously spent nearly 28 years at Visit Duluth in various
capacities. He has three decades of experience in tourism and was CEO of Duluth, Minnesota’s
official destination marketing organization since 1990.
SHERRI MULLERY
BLOOMINGTON CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREA
Sherri Mullery, Vice President of Business and Foundation Partnerships for the Bloomington CVB, a destination marketing organization. Bloomington CVB promotes tourism domestically and internationally to bring visitors to enjoy Mall of America, Bloomington hotels, restaurants and the Twin Cities metro area attractions. Bloomington is adjacent to the MSP Airport and is a gateway city for the Great Lakes and Rocky Mountain regions. My service to the Airport Foundation MSP Board enables me to work closely with the organization to greet and service visitors to the airport, enhance the visitor experience and to support the foundation in the Arts and Culture program.
KATHLEEN BARRETT
SUN SOUNTRY AIRLINES
Kathleen is Vice President, Procurement, Properties and Facilities at Sun Country Airlines. A strategy-driven leader with nearly 15 years of experience focused on long and short-range planning through financial modeling and contract/lease negotiations while working with airlines, airports and third parties.
Kathleen is proficient at managing multi-million dollar projects and restructuring teams for aggressively growing, cost and safety conscious companies seeking to enter the public market.
Prior to joining Sun Country in her current role in 2018, she worked as Director of Properties and Facilities for Frontier Airlines from 2015 to 2018. Before that, she was Manager of Corporate Real Estate/Operations Staff Planning for Spirit Airlines from 2009 until 2015.
DENNIS SCHULSTAD
BRIGADIER GENERAL USAF
(RETIRED)
Dennis served on the Minneapolis City Council for 22 years representing the area adjacent to the airport, and his wife was a 35 year flight attendant for Northwest Airlines. Dennis is a retired Brigadier General from the U.S. Air Force. The Airport Foundation makes MSP one of the most user friendly facilities in the world.
JOHN WAGNER
WINGS FINANCIAL
John is Senior Vice President/Chief Member Experience Officer for Wings Financial and has been with Wings since June 2001. His responsibilities include all member-facing activities of the credit union. Included are Marketing, Business Development, Branch Operations, the Telephone Service Center and Card Services. Before joining the credit union, Mr. Wagner was a Vice President in the Retail Payment Systems group at U.S. Bank and was responsible for the development of the bank’s retail co-brand strategy, working with retailers like Target, Kroger and Albertson’s in the development of new payment products.
Prior to U.S. Bank, Mr. Wagner was employed by Northwest Airlines in a variety of sales and marketing positions of increasing responsibility. Mr. Wagner has a B.S. degree in Marketing from Syracuse University and an MBA in Finance from the University of Minnesota.
STEVE WAREHAM
LANDRUM & BROWN
Steve Wareham is Associate Vice President at Landrum & Brown, a global aviation planning & development firm. Previously, he was Vice President at Trillion Aviation, a consulting firm specializing in providing business strategy, consulting and air service development to airport clients.
Steve is also the former Director of MSP Operations at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP). In that role he worked extensively with the Foundation on MSP issues and is pleased to continue this effort as he has moved on to the private sector.
Steve holds a BA degree in Social Work and History, and a Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership both earned at Bethel University in St. Paul, Minnesota.
GENE WINSTEAD
FORMER MAYOR,
CITY OF BLOOMINGTON
Gene Winstead was elected to his first term as Mayor of Bloomington in November, 1999, He served the city in this role for 20 years, becoming the longest-serving Mayor in Bloomington’s history.
Gene also serves on Bloomington’s Port Authority, Bloomington United for Youth, and the Bloomington Convention and Visitors Bureau. He is a board member of the American Red Cross Blood Services Division and is on the Senior Community Services Board. He is a past member of the City’s Planning Commission, serving as its Chairperson through the development of the Mall of America, and has served on several other community boards and foundations including the Bloomington Crime Prevention Association (BCPA), Bloomington Housing and Redevelopment Authority, and the Bloomington Chamber of Commerce.
Mayor Winstead has been a resident of Bloomington since 1975 and is married with three grown daughters and seven grandchildren. He retired as Vice President of Operations from Lieberman Companies in Bloomington in August 2004 after 34 years and now keeps busy as a partner of Ike’s Food & Cocktails in Bloomington.
OUR MISSION
The Airport Foundation MSP dedicates itself to enhancing the experience and exceeding the expectations of travelers at MSP International Airport, as well as supporting the airport and broader aviation community.
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