|
D.WILLIAM O'BRIEN President Term 2022-2025 Bill retired in 2017 after a 12 ½ year career with the State of Minnesota. He first spent 22 years working at 3M as a supervisor and in-house actuary for the company’s defined benefit pension, retiree medical and disability plans. After a mid-career renewal earning an MBA in finance and certification as a Project Management Professional (PMP®), Bill spent over 6 ½ years working for Minnesota State Colleges & Universities (MNSCU, now MN State) as a project manager in the Finance Division and later in their Project Management Office. In 2011 he joined the MN Department of Health as a project manager, spending his last three years working with MN IT Services (MNIT) as the project management supervisor supporting IT infrastructure at MDH. Bill also spent the last 21 years on the boards for two family businesses and is currently serving a term as board chair for both companies. He also serves on boards for YMCA Camp Warren in Eveleth and for the Loyola Spirituality Center in St. Paul. JAKE MANAHAN
Director Term 2022-2025 Jake retired in 2003. He has a broad background in the private practice of law, in public service, and in the political process. He served as the State Treasurer's representative on the Investment Advisory Council of the SBI for 16 years. His work history also includes: general practice of law from 1973 to 1987 and from 2003 to the present; Deputy State Treasurer from 1987 to 2003; and the chair of the Information Policy Council for state government from 1993 to 2003. This is his first term on the MRSEA board. |
ROD KOEHN 1st Vice-President Term 2022–2025 Ron retired in 2016 after a thirty year career with MNDOT as an engineer. The last few years of work he mentored and trained interns in doing construction plan reviews. The training he did was a way he felt he could help “pay it forward”. He wants to continue to do this while in retirement. One of the ways is to preserve our pension and health benefits for current and future retirees. In addition, He also participated in the “day on the hill” meetings with legislators for his union while he was an employee. LOIS FREIERMUTH
Director Term 2022-2025 Lois retired in 2013. She worked for the State of Minnesota for 34 years. She started in 1966 as a Human Service Technician at the Hastings State Hospital and worked there till 1972 at which time she left the State and went to work at Whirlpool Corporation until 1983. She then returned to the State and worked at the Hastings Veterans Home as a Chemical Dependency Counselor. While at the Veterans Home she was a member of AFSCME Union as was a Union Steward for several years. She attended the Day On the Hill on several occasions. In 2003 she was laid off from the Veterans Home and went to work for the Department of Corrections at the Lino Lakes Corrections Facility. She worked as Chemical Dependency Release Planner and help Offenders release back to the community. She was a member of the MAPE Union and actively attended our monthly meetings. She was elected by my local to serve on the MAPE Negotiation Committee where many days and long hours were spent negotiating a fair contract. MICHAEL LANDERS
Director Term 2022-2025 Michael served for 27 years as a finance specialist with the Minnesota Department of Education. In this capacity, he was responsible for several areas in developing budget forecasts; completed fiscal notes pertaining to any legislative proposals in his area of expertise. Currently, he is working with the Minneapolis Regional Retiree Council and the State Retiree Council on a number of issues including income and health care security for seniors. He would like to continue MRSEA's work in protecting and strengthening our pension system and in ensuring the long-term solvency of the Social Security System. It is also critical to ensure that state retirees have a voice at the table when retiree health plans are addressed. |
BRUCE ADAMS
2nd Vice-President Term 2022-2025 Bruce graduated in 1972 from St. Cloud State College. He taught Jr. High math and science classes for two years prior to applying for a position for a Field Weights and Measures Investigator in the Dept. of Public Service. That position started his forty-one year career with the State. He retired in 2016 and has been an election judge, worked security for the main security contractor of the last fourteen Super Bowl games. He also participates with Toastmasters International, Dakota County 4-H, Burnsville Parks and Natural Resources Commission and Planning Commission. The purpose and objectives of MRSEA deserve support of all of us that are retired. JOHN SHERMAN
Interim Secretary/Treasurer Term 2023-2026 Retired in 2017 after 30 years with the state, John's entire state career was with the Vocational Rehabilitation Division of the Department of Employment and Economic Development. The Vocational Rehabilitation unit provided job placement, job maintenance supports and independent living for Minnesotans with significant disabilities. The agency changed names several times during his time there including being called Jobs and Training as well as Economic Security. John retired as the state director of the Extended Employment program where he managed a $15,000,000 year state budget. Prior to that he was an a program analyst, contract manager, program monitor, trainer and legislative liaison for the VR unit. Many of his duties included work and co-operation with Minnesota not for profit agencies providing services to persons with disabilities. He was also involved with joint projects with federal, state and local governments. Prior to joining the State, John was the executive director of United Cerebral Palsy of Minnesota and prior to that worked with the Children's Defense Fund and also Planned Parenthood while living in Arlington, Virginia. WILLA LAVAMAKI
Communications Director Term 2023-2026 Started her career with the Department of Corrections for the State of Minnesota in 1995 as a Corrections Officer in the Stillwater closed custody setting. Here she was class speaker. Moving on to Oak Park Heights super max prison as a Corrections Behavior Therapist (CBT) for the Serious and Persistent Mentally Ill adult male offenders. Willa developed an Anger Management Program. Again moving, to the Lino of Lakes medium custody facility in 1996 she developed a program for the State of Minnesota called the "Special Needs Program." Dealing with Developmental Disabilities, Mental Health Issues, and Brain Trauma with adult male offenders. After creating this program she also developed a program that worked integrating these offenders into the community with supports such as benefits, social workers, housing, and jobs. Willa was than hired and moved to Central Office of the Department of Corrections as a Program Director to create a system within the State of Minnesota's Correctional setting, by working with County, Federal and State resources. As well, she also developed workers within the prisons called reintegration specialists, which helped with the release planning of adult male and female offenders that were serious and persistent mentally ill, brain damaged. Some of the awards Willa earned while/but not limited to were; Certificate of Appreciation in Recognition of Distinguished Achievement in the Care and treatment for persons with Mental illness from the Forensic Network/Minnesota- Alliance For the Mentally Ill, on May 19th of 1998. MCCA -Recognition for Excellence: Robbie Robinson Service Award. This is an award was given to staff people who demonstrated outstanding achievement and dedication to the Community of Corrections (2011);The Robert L. Karol Care Beyond Expectations Award for 2012. Awarded to a person who exemplifies passionate, personal direct service to persons with brain injury. Willa retired from the Department of Corrections in 2012, after 17 and 1/2 years of service. |