Pamela Belknap (pamela.belknap@state.mn.us)
Management Consultant, Management Analysis & Development (MAD), MN Department of Administration
Pamela has been a Management Consultant with MAD since 2006. Prior to this role, she worked at Hazelden Foundation as the Human Resource Development Manager, and at various public, private, and non-profit organizations in training and leadership development, program planning and administration, rehabilitation counseling, and social work. Pamela has a Master’s degree in Human Resource Development from the University of Minnesota and an MS in Education from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, and completed her undergraduate work in Sociology and Social Work at Miami University in Ohio.
Dennis Benson (dennis.benson@state.mn.us)
Deputy Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Corrections
Dennis Benson has 33 years of experience with the Minnesota DOC. His current assignment is as the Deputy Commissioner responsible for prison facilities and all related program functions. Dennis previously served as the Warden of the Oak Park Heights and Stillwater facilities. He is a graduate of the University of Minnesota. Dennis has completed the Leadership Black Belt program at the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management.
Stephen Birkland (stephen.birkland@state.mn.us)
Manager, State of Minnesota, Health Risk Management
Stephen Birkland is Manager of Health Risk Management at the State Employee Group Insurance Program and Manager of the State Employee Assistance Program. Stephen also teaches Organizational Behavior at Metropolitan State University / College of Management where he has been part of the faculty since 1989. He has a graduate degree in Counseling, is licensed as an Independent Clinical Social Worker, and has maintained a private counseling and consulting practice since 1983. He has more than 25 years experience working with large and small organization in both the private and public sectors.
James Francisco Bonilla (jbonilla@hamline.edu)
Associate Professor, Hamline University Graduate School of Management
James is an Associate Professor of Conflict Studies at the Hamline University Graduate School of Management. He is a nationally recognized consultant in the area of organizational development who brings to his work 22 years of experience working with organizations in the area of diversity. Currently on sabbatical, his latest research interests include racially diversity in environmental organizations and conflict in diverse team settings.
Terry Carlson (terry.carlson@state.mn.us)
Warden, Minnesota Correctional Facility WR/ML
Terry Carlson has been the Warden at MCF-WR/ML since 2001. She oversees a medium security adult male correctional facility and the Challenge Incarceration Program. She has been working for the Minnesota Department of Corrections for 24 years in a variety of positions and agency locations.
Marilyn Condon (marilyncondon@aol.com)
Principal, M.M. Condon & Associates
Marilyn Condon is an organizational consultant who coaches leaders and teams to be more effective. Her special interests and expertise are in group facilitation, leadership development, and strategy planning. Marilyn custom designs and delivers leadership training, provides individualized coaching to managers and teams, and facilitates teams who are refocusing strategy, priorities, and goals to make a bigger impact.
Emma Corrie (emma.corrie@dot.state.mn.us)
Recruitment Programs Supervisor, Human Resources, Minnesota Department of Transportation
Emma Corrie has been involved in recruitment efforts for various occupations at the DOT and successfully implemented an early recruitment program called SEEDS at Mn/DOT. She is currently the Recruitment Programs Supervisor at Mn/DOT and is engaged in retention efforts in collaboration with other offices. Emma has a Masters in Business Administration.
Maria Stalzer Wyant Cuzzo (maria.cuzzo@charter.net)
Professor of Legal Studies and Director of the Center for Excellence
Maria Stalzer Wyant Cuzzo is Professor of Legal Studies and Director of the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) at UW-Superior. She was co-founder of the UW-Superior Mediation/ Conflict Resolution certificate program in Continuing Education and Extension at UW-Superior and co-founder of the CRI project at WR/ML. She educates and trains about mediation, particularly transformative mediation principles and practices, around the country and has published in the field.
Dave Fielding (dave.fielding@state.mn.us)
Director – Plant Management Division, Department of Administration
A veteran of the commercial airline industry, Dave spent 28 years in leadership positions in a wide range of facilities design and construction, airport operations, marketing, and technical support assignments with Eastern Air Lines and Northwest Airlines. Prior to joining the Department of Administration in October 2006, he served for eight years as Vice President – Support Services for Greater Twin Cities United Way with responsibility for administration, finance, human resources, IT and building services. Dave holds a B.S. degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Michigan and an M.B.A. from New York Institute of Technology.
Ralph Jacobson (ralph@theleaderstoolbox.com)
The Leader's Toolbox, Inc., Principal
Ralph Jacobson helps organizations accelerate change by teaching people how to successfully address the challenging issues they face. His book, Leading for a Change: How to Master the Five Challenges Faced by Every Leader, was selected by mgeneral.com as one of the top business books for the year 2000. He as recognized by Executive Excellence Magazine as one of the top ten leadership developers in the country and one of the most innovative. As Principal at The Leader’s Toolbox, Inc., he has provided innovative solutions for Fortune 50 companies, emerging growth companies, and government organizations. He is an adjunct faculty at the Physicians Leadership College, University of St Thomas.
Lissa Jones (christine@aafs.net)
Executive Director, African American Family Services
Lissa Jones is a talented and engaging public speaker that exemplifies the tradition of oral history of the African American community. Lissa has a passion for the movement of the people and is dedicated to the uplift of those living in poverty and oppression. She compels her audience to DO something and eagerly pushes those around her to know that Truth is the essence of the healing. Lissa is the Executive Director of African American Family Services. She has a strong background in organizational development, as founder of the Center for Organizational Development, a professional consulting group that works with clients across the country, integrating theory and practice. Lissa is best known for her skills in organizational and board development, facilitation and interim executive directorship for organizations in change.
Linda Kane (linda.kane@state.mn.us)
Project Manager, Minnesota Department of Administration, Real Estate and Construction Services
Linda has been a project manager in Real Estate and Construction Services (formerly the State Architect’s Office) since 2002. Prior to joining the State, Linda was a practicing architect in the private sector. She has a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University of Minnesota and has professional memberships in the AIA and the U.S. Green Building Council. She became a LEED Accredited Professional in 2005. In her role at Real Estate and Construction Services, Linda administrates the “Buildings Benchmarks and Beyond” sustainable design initiative, mandated since 2004.
Justin Kaufman (justin.kaufman@state.mn.us)
Negotiation Specialist, MN Department of Administration, Materials Management Division
Attorney Justin Kaufman serves in the newly created role of Negotiation Specialist within the Department of Administration’s Materials Management Division. In that capacity, Justin serves a dual role as both a negotiator for State professional and technical services contracts and as a negotiation skills trainer. Justin has engaged in the negotiation of State contracts ranging from $50,000 to over $50 million dollars in value and has developed several negotiation skills courses, including a monthly offering for State employees. Prior to employment with the State of Minnesota, Justin worked in private industry, served as a mediator, and taught college level business law as an adjunct faculty member in the State of Wisconsin.
Gil Kinnunen (minnfinn@earthlink.net)
Professional Development Consultant
Gil is a professional development consultant who recently retired after 32 years in employee development with the State of Minnesota, specializing in instructional design and delivery, meeting and focus group facilitation, conference planning, work group collaboration, and performance improvement. A frequent conference presenter, Gil’s workshops include presentation design and delivery, interpersonal communication, collaboration, creative problem solving, and performance improvement. Gil is president of the Salolampi Foundation, a multi-state organization that supports Finnish Language Village in Bemidji, MN, which is sponsored by Concordia Language Villages. He is also an education advisor to Young Audiences of Minnesota, an organization that brings together artists and students through workshops, performances, and residency programs in Minnesota schools.
Steve Kuntz (steve.kuntz@state.mn.us)
Placement Specialist, Minnesota Department of Employee and Economic Development
Steven Kuntz is leading this important effort to help make Minnesota state government a model employer in the hiring of persons with disabilities. Steve has more than 20 years of experience in assisting public and private employers to meet their employment needs. He will be working to provide information about the state employment process and state jobs in addition to providing recruiting efforts with regard to persons with disabilities. He has already talked with more than a dozen state HR directors about this partnership and he will be contacting HR offices directly to talk about this partnership and the benefits that it brings to your organization. If you have immediate recruiting needs, please do not hesitate to contact Steve by calling 651-259-3615 or by email at steve.kuntz@state.mn.us.
Robert Maki (robert.maki@state.mn.us)
Chief Information Officer, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Over the past 20 years, Robert has worked professionally with GIS technologies in commercial, academic, and government settings, including the DNR, which supports over 800 users of the technology. He was active on the Minnesota Governor's Council on Geographic Information for over ten years and was awarded a Polaris Leadership Award in 2003 by the Minnesota GIS/LIS Consortium.
Steve McConnell (smcconnell@georgegroup.com)
Lean Sensai and Engagement Director, The George Group Consulting
Steve McConnell is a Lean Sensai and Engagement Director for George Group Consulting, the leading provider of Lean and Six Sigma solutions. He has over 19 years of management experience, including more than 15 years focused on Continuous Process Improvement (CPI) using Lean and Six Sigma practices. Steve has advised clients ranging from the executive offices to teams on the shop floor. He studied Lean with Shingijutsu Co. in Japan and Six Sigma with General Electric in the U.S. Steve has previously been a presentation speaker on Total Productive Maintenance at national conferences, a guest instructor on CPI at Wichita St. University and is currently a Malcolm Baldrige Award judge.
Pat McCormack (patricia.mccormack@state.mn.us)
Director, Driver and Vehicle Services
Pat McCormack is the Director of Driver and Vehicle Services for over three years. Pat previously served as Driver Services Program Director in DVS for four years and held management positions in Wisconsin state government for over 18 years.
Stephanie McGovern (stephmcgovern@earthlink.net)
Consultant/Coach, High Performance Systems, Inc.
Stephanie is an organizational effectiveness consultant and coach. She has more than 20 years experience coaching individuals and leaders, leading organizational change, creating and maintaining high-performing teams and creating employee accountability for achieving exceptional results. She holds a Masters degree in Industrial Relations from the University of Minnesota and is a certified coach through the Hudson Institute of Santa Barbara. Stephanie is also founder of High Performance Systems, Inc., an organization dedicated to maximizing individual, team and organizational performance.
Ken Miller (ask@changeagents.info)
Founder, Change and Innovation Agency
Ken Miller is the founder of the Change and Innovation Agency, a firm dedicated to helping its clients radically improve. Ken was named one of the country’s top change agents by Fast Company Magazine (by a judging panel that included Tom Peters). He has dedicated his life’s work to improving government, both from inside as an employee and now from the outside as a consultant. Ken is the author of We Don’t Make Widgets: Overcoming the Myths Tat Keep Government from Radically Improving (Governing Books 2006), and The Change Agent’s Guide to Radical Improvement (ASQ 2002). As Deputy Director of the Missouri Department of Revenue he led the effort to transform a government agency responsible for collecting taxes and licensing cars and drivers into a state quality award winner – one of only a handful of government agencies in the country to receive such a distinction. In the three years he was there, they reduced the time to issue tax refunds by 80% (fastest in the nation) at less cost and cut wait times in motor vehicle offices by half. Ken was then named Director of Performance Improvement for Missouri State Government, one of only two states to receive an A grade from Governing magazine for Managing for Results.
Bob Monson (robert.j.monson@lmco.com)
Senior Engineering Manager, Lockheed Martin Tactical Systems
Bob has been teaching at various Universities since 1992. He received his B.M.E. from the University of Minnesota Institute of Technology in 1985, and his M.M.S.E. from the University of St. Thomas in 1991. He completed his Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering at the University of Minnesota and specialized in the area of Project Management. Bob has published several articles and books on topics related to Engineering Design and is the recipient of several national design awards. He is the holder of more than 60 U.S. and multi-national patents, and is currently employed with Lockheed Martin Tactical Systems in Eagan. He is responsible for managing the Equipment Engineering function.
Tim Morse (tim.morse@state.mn.us)
Director, Fleet and Surplus Services Division, Department of Administration
Tim has been involved in fleet management for over 25 years. He has fleet experience in both private and public sectors. Tim currently works for the State of Minnesota as the Director of the Fleet and Surplus Services Division in the Department of Administration. He is an active promoter of alternative fuels. His work includes chairing the State Fleet Council as well as the Governor’s SmartFleet Committee. SmartFleet is charged with helping state government reduce gasoline usage 50% and reducing petroleum diesel fuel usage 25% by the year 2015.
Vonnie Mulcahy (vonnie.mulcahy@state.mn.us)
Human Resources System Director, Department of Employee Relations
Vonnie has worked in State Human Resources. She has been an HR Director for two major state agencies and is currently at DOER working on special projects including State Workforce Planning.
Tom Norman (tnorman@cce.umn.edu)
Unit Director, University of Minnesota’s College of Continuing Education
In July of 2000, Tom joined the University of Minnesota’s College of Continuing Education as Unit Director for Continuing Professional Education. In this capacity, Tom is responsible for working collaboratively with University faculty and staff, employers, business, industry, government, and other professional organizations to provide high quality, accessible programs that match the needs of employers with areas of university intellectual strength and expertise. His specific charge is to facilitate the creation of professional development education solutions for business and industry.
Carol Pankow (carol.n.pankow@state.mn.us)
Executive Director, Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry
Carol Pankow has both public and private sector experience serving as the CEO of a Private Non-Profit and over 23 years with the State of Minnesota, ten of those in a managerial capacity. Most recently she serves at the Executive Director of Claims Services and Investigations at the Minnesota Department of Labor Industry. Carol has been involved in developing and conducting training for many years and brings a variety of experiences to her course on internal customer service.
Lela Porter (lela.porter@state.mn.us)
Organization Development Consultant, Department of Human Services
Lela Porter has worked in organization development and training for over 15 years. In this capacity she has worked as an independent consultant and a senior trainer for INTER-RACE where clients have included non profit and community groups, educational institutions, healthcare and business groups. For the past seven years, she has been an internal organization development consultant for the Department of Human Services. In addition to consulting, Lela has been an adjunct faculty member at Minneapolis Community and Technical College, Inver Hills Community College and Hamline University.
Karen Quammen (karen.quammen@state.mn.us)
Project Consultant, Minnesota Governors Workforce Development Council
Karen is currently working as a Project Consultant to the Minnesota Governors Workforce Development Council on projects funded by Pathways to Employment. The Minnesota Workforce Development Council recognizes that far beyond the issue of social responsibility, increasing employment opportunities and positive outcomes for people with disabilities is essential to workforce planning. Karen is working on infusing disability mentoring, internships, and employment in to the work of the Workforce Development committees to effect permanent change to produce a win/win for the State of Minnesota, employers and people with disabilities.
David Schultz (dschultz@hamline.edu)
Professor, Graduate School of Management, Hamline University
David Schultz is a Hamline University professor in the Graduate School of Management where he teaches classes in ethics, public policy, and public administration, and at the University of Minnesota School of Law where he teaches legal ethics. David is the author of 24 books and over fifty articles on various aspects of law, ethics, public policy, and the media and politics. His most recent publications include: Encyclopedia of Civil Liberties in America (M.E. Sharpe), the Encyclopedia of the Supreme Court (Facts on File, Inc), and Lights, Camera, Campaign Media, Politics, and Political Advertising (Peter Lang Publishing).
Daniel Storkamp (Dan.Storkamp@state.mn.us)
Director of Information and Technology, Minnesota Department of Corrections
Daniel Storkamp has 17 years of experience with the State. His current assignment is as the DOC Director of Information and Technology. In his 12 years with the DOC his assignments have been as Assistant Commissioner and in managing the areas of planning and research. Prior to joining the DOC he was the Director of the Criminal Justice Center at the Minnesota Planning Agency. Daniel has completed the Leadership Black Belt program at the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management and will have his Six Sigma Black Belt by December 2007.
Janet Streff (janet.streff@state.mn.us)
Manager, State Energy Office, Minnesota Department of Commerce
Janet has managed the State Energy Office since 1999. In this capacity she directs professional staff with responsibilities for the state's utility conservation program. She manages activities, funded through the U.S. Department of Energy, promote energy efficiency and renewable energy such as mapping the state’s wind resource, developing the state’s E85 stations and providing consumer information through the nation’s longest running Energy Information Center. Janet also has oversight of the statewide Weatherization Assistance Program, which provides energy conservation improvements to low-income homes. In state government activities, Janet has been involved in the development of the sustainable building design guidelines, the public building benchmarking tool, the implementation of the governor’s executive order for energy efficiency in state buildings, as well as the development of information needed for climate change registries.
Nan Swift (elizabeth.swift@state.mn.us)
Policy & Analysis, Investment Management, Minnesota Department of Transportation
Nan has led two organizational development offices in two public sector agencies, the Minnesota Department of Transportation and the Minnesota Department of Human Services. Nan has fifteen years experience in implementing strategic management, leadership development and translating management theory into practical and sustainable solutions that change how business is done. Prior to state service, she consulted and trained in the public and private sector for eight years.
Erika Tierney (erika.tierney@dnr.state.mn.us)
Organization Development and Training, Department of Natural Resources
Erika has been working in Organization Development and Training for 20 years, the last two at the DNR. Her work experience is in education and organization development in both private and public sectors. Recently, she has focused a great deal of time on leadership development and workforce planning, though she also spends time coaching managers and supervisors, facilitating supervisor and managerial training, and helping workgroups to be more effective.
Constance Tuck (constance.tuck@state.mn.us)
Director of Office for Equal Opportunity, Department of Human Services
Constance Tuck is the Director of the Office for Equal Opportunity at the Minnesota Department of Human Services. She and her staff are responsible for promoting diversity and equitable treatment for
employees, applicants and clients of her agency. Her focus in the presentation will be on the programs that DHS has developed to attract and retain recent college graduates to work for the department of Human Services. Constance is a member of both the Minnesota and District of Columbia bars and has served as both a litigator and in-house counsel for state and federal government agencies.
Jack Uldrich (jack@nanoveritas.com)
Author and President of NanoVeritas Group
Jack is the author of numerous books in the fields of technology and leadership, including the best-selling, The Next Big is Really Small: How Nanotechnology Will Change the Future of Your Business and the award-winning, Into the Unknown: Leaderships Lessons from Lewis & Clark’s Daring Westward Adventure. His next book, Jumping the Curve, is due out in early 2008. He formerly served as the director of the Minnesota Office of Strategic and Long-Range Planning under Governor Jesse Ventura.
John Vollum (svollum@aol.com)
Owner, The Wellspring Group
John is the owner of The Wellspring Group, LLC; a consultancy focused on helping organizations become places where both enterprise and people can thrive. For the past 19 years John has served organization leaders in development and deployment of strategy and measurement systems, analysis of business processes, design of strategic improvement efforts and application of culture to achieve organizational goals. John has recently assisted the Dept. of Natural Resources, Pollution Control Agency, and the Dept of Corrections in their efforts to build improvement capabilities.
Mark Wallace (mark.wallace@state.mn.us)
Assistant Bureau Administrator for Management Resources, Department of Natural Resources
Mark Wallace has 25 years of service with the State, with 20 years at the DNR. He is currently the Assistant Bureau Administrator for Management Resources. He is a national expert in facility planning and has been recognized by the environmental and design communities for his work. Most recently he has been leading a strategic alignment process within the Bureau to improve and measure business results. Mark is a certified Six Sigma Black Belt.
James Warner (jim.warner@state.mn.us)
Director of Industrial Division, Minnesota, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
James Warner has 31 years of experience with the State. He is currently the Director of the Industrial Division. In addition, he is the lead senior manager at PCA directing the implementation of continuous improvement efforts and is a certified Six Sigma Black Belt.
Joan Willshire (joan.willshire@state.mn.us)
Executive Director, Minnesota State Council on Disability
Joan is currently the Executive Director at the MN state Council on Disability, a small state agency that advises the governor’s office, state legislature, state agencies and the public on disability related issues. Joan has been the director since 2004. Other disability related work experiences were at Courage Center where she worked for almost nine years as the Medical Marketing Manager. She received her master’s degree in Public Affairs at the Humphrey institute in 2002 along with a Disability Policy certificate from the Institute on Community Integration at the U of Minnesota.