MRSEA Directors

MARY BENNER- Term 2009 - 2010
Retired in June 2009, after a career in data security and information technology that began in 1972. Over the years, Mary worked for the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Labor and Industry, and various combinations of Energy, Economic Development and Planning agencies. Mary is a long-time elected board member of the Minnesota State Retirement System, and the current chairperson of the MSRS Board of Directors. She was also an elected official in AFSCME, participating in contract negotiations from 1985 through 1995. Mary is assigned to the MRSEA Publications Committee, Finance Committee and the Technology Committee.

GENE GERE- Term 2nd Vice President 2006 - 2009
Retired in July 1998 after 35 years of service with the Dept. of Natural Resources. An engineer by training, he served his agency in many ways over the years and retired as the DNR’S Assistant Commissioner for Administration. Over the years of his employment, Gene was active in the Career Executive Service and served in the State Managers Organization. He has served on the MRSEA since 2003. Gene is the current Chair of the Legislative Committee. Gene is also the Second Vice President of MRSEA.

SANDRA HALE- Term 2008 - 2011
Former Commissioner of Administration under former Governor Perpich. Sandra also served as an Associate Professor at the Metropolitan State University and is a member of TRA. Active in the arts, Sandra was the Chairman of the Guthrie Theatre and MN State Arts Board. Sandra is also a Fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration. Sandra’s MRSEA committee assignments will be determined soon.

RUTH HUSOM- Term President 2006 - 2009
Served the State for 45 years in the Dept. of Veteran Affairs, Dept. of Education and retired in 1994 from her position as an Administrative Assistant in the Dept. of Natural Resources, Division of Parks. She has served on the MRSEA Board since 1995. Ruth is the current President of MRSEA and oversees all the committees and Sub Chapter Liaison Assignments.

JOHN KUDERKA- Term 2006 - 2009
Completed 32 years with the State of MN serving in the departments of Economic Security, Transportation, Employee Relations and Mediation Services. Working in the labor relations area, as Assistant State Negotiator, Deputy State Negotiator and Acting State Negotiator for Employee Relations, and Director of Labor Management Programs. John was elected to the MRSEA Board in 2006, and is current Chair of the Nominating Committee. John also serves on the Technology and Insurance Committees and, is liaison to the West Central and Northwoods Sub Chapters.

ROBERT LUNDAHL- Term 2008 - 2011
Served in the Division of Rehabilitation Services (now Jobs & Training) for over 33 years and supervised the Duluth office for the last 27 years with the state. Robert was elected to the MRSEA Board in 2005. Robert is the current Chair of the MRSEA Publications & Communications Committee as well as the liaison to the Duluth Sub -Chapter of MRSEA.

DENNIS MAKI- Term 2006 - 2009
Retired after 16 years with the Department of Employee Relations, primarily in the Information Technology field as Manager of Technical Services; responsible for all of DOER’s computing hardware, software, computer security, networks and help desk services. Dennis also was DOER’s Disaster Recovery/Business Continuation Manager; as well as one of DOER’s representatives to the Governor’s Drive to Excellence committee. Dennis is Chair of the Technology Committee and serves on the Publications Committee. Dennis has served on the MRSEA Board since February 2007.

FRED MAURER- Term 2008 - 2011
Retired as Pavement Management Operations Coordinator with MN DOT. Serving also, as Past President of the Minnesota Government Engineers Council. Fred has served in a leadership role for the Public Employees Pension Coalition (PEPC) since 1980. Fred has served on the MRSEA Board since 2003. Fred is the current Chair of the MRSEA Insurance Committee as well as the serving on Legislative Committee and liaison to the Mankato Sub Chapter of MRSEA.

RICHARD MESENBURG- Term 2008 - 2011
Retired from the Department of Education. Richard joined the MRSEA Board in 2007. Richard is also on the Group Health and Health Partners Board, and Members Appeal Committee. Richard owns a Professional Consulting Firm and, serves on the MRSEA Legislative Committee and Chairs the Meeting and Planning Committee for MRSEA.

LYLE NELSON- Term 2007 - 2010
Retired after 28 years as an Administrative Engineer in the State Architects Office in the Department of Administration. While in this position Lyle served as Staff Architect/Engineer on many state building projects. Lyle was elected to the Board in May 2007. Lyle serves on the Nominating , Meeting & Planning and Technology Committees as well as Liaison to the Fergus Falls Sub Chapter.

PETER OBERMEYER- Term 2006 - 2009
Peter retired from the Bureau of Mediation Services in 2003. During his career with the BMS he served as Commissioner Mediator, and hearing officer. He currently serves as an arbitrator and mediator of labor management disputes in the public, private and non-profit sectors. Peter also serves as the neutral trustee of the GCIU, Local I-M Health and Welfare Fund, a labor management joint trustee health plan. Peter joined the MRSEA Board in 2007 and currently serves on the MRSEA Insurance Committee as well as the Nominating Committee.

SALLY OLSEN- Term 1st Vice-President 2007 - 2010
Served 14 years in the Legislature followed by another 6 years as a workers’ compensation Judge. Sally has served on the MRSEA Board since 2004 and has been the first Vice President since 2005. Sally also serves on MRSEA’s Constitution & By Law Committee. Sally has served on the Retired Persons Political Action Committee since 2000. Additionally, Sally also serves on the Board of Directors for the Minnesota State Retirement System as one of three Governor Appointees.

YVONNE ROSS- Term Secretary/Treasurer 2007 - 2010
Completed 34 years of state service in the Departments of Transportation, Education, Trade and Economic Development and retired from the MN State College and Universities as the System Director of Classified Service in 1996. Yvonne has served on the MRSEA Board since 1997 and serves on the Retired Persons Political Action Committee. Yvonne also serves on the MRSEA Publications & Communications, Constitution & By Law Committee and Insurance Committees. Yvonne is Chair of the Nominating Committee as well as Liaison the Southwest/Marshall Sub Chapter.

LOIS WILLOCK- Term Assistant Secretary/Treasurer 2008 - 2011
Retired from DEED after 30 years working in the unemployment, job service and disability areas. Lois served on the State Master Negotiators Committee and co -chaired with DOER the State Consolidated Clerical Committee. Lois also was active with AFSCME Council 6 Leadership. Ms. Willock serves on the Meeting & Planning, Insurance and Legislative Committees for MRSEA. Ms. Willock is Liaison to the Brainerd Sub Chapter.