LakeRegionCommunityPartners
Directors
There are 18 Directors of the Lake Region Community Partners. Directors are elected each November on rotating three year terms. They regularly bring guests as friends of LRCP and may send proxies to meetings to ensure representation & information sharing continues despite their busy schedules. Directors represent a broad range of industries and constituencies connecting directly to literally every household in our region.
About Our Founder
Richard L. Pemberton, Sr.
Dick served as legal advisor to LRCP and was a senior partner of the regional law firm The Pemberton, Sorlie, Rufer & Kershner Law Firm. He was a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and the American Board of Trial Advocates, and was listed for over ten consecutive years in Best Lawyers in America. He has served as President of the Minnesota State Bar Association; twice as a member of the MSBA Continuing Legal Education Committee; six years as a member of the Minnesota Supreme Court Lawyers Professional Responsibility Board; has served on various Supreme Court Committees, including Rules of Evidence Advisory Committee and Rules of Civil Procedure Advisory Committee; nine years as chair of Minnesota Racing Commission; and more than 12 years as member of Minnesota Judicial Selection Commission.
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Dick was also a lecturer and author on a wide variety of subjects, including at the national level, and has served as platform chairman, parliamentarian, and meeting facilitator at multi-state assemblies.
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Dick passed away in 2019. Thanks to his vision, Lake Region Community Partners continues to be a place where thought and action leaders in this region regularly meet to share their knowledge, talents and resources to strengthen our voice in the legislature and to position the community for long-term vitality and growth.
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Carrie Brimhall, President and Director
Constituency: Higher Education
Dr. Carrie Brimhall serves as president of Minnesota State Community and Technical College, a role she was appointed to in July 2018. A first-generation student and graduate of M State, she has a reputation as a leader with a vision for the future of higher education and community colleges, and as a champion for the missions of community and technical colleges. She has served M State continuously for approximately 20 years as director(s) of housing, admissions, recruitment, and retention from 1998 until 2008; as dean of enrollment from 2008 until 2011; as interim provost from 2011 until 2012; as associate vice president of Academic and Student Affairs from 2012 to 2014; and as chief academic officer and vice president of Academic Affairs from 2014 to 2018.
She holds an associate degree from M State, a bachelor’s degree from Concordia College, and a master’s and a doctorate from Capella University.
Jeff Drake, Vice President and Director
Constituency: K-12 Education
Jeff made his way to educate via an unusual path, starting our studying psychology and biology at Gustavus Adolphus College and then to the U of M Duluth for a master's in education psychology. He worked in the mental health field for several years before coming to work as a guidance counselor and then high school principal in Hastings and Milaca.
He served as the high school principal in Battle Lake for 16 years before assuming the role of Superintendent at Fergus Falls Public Schools in 2019.
Kent Mattson, Director
Constituency: Healthcare
Kent was tapped for the CEO role at Lake Region Healthcare in 2020 after serving as its Chief Legal & Strategy Officer for two years and its outside counsel for over 20 years.
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Mattson’s enterprise CEO role is the most senior leadership position and includes oversight of LRH and the full set of affiliated companies and services including the Mill Street Residence Assisted Living Facility and Prairie Ridge Hospital and Health Services, the critical access facility of LRH located in Elbow Lake and Morris. Together, LRH and PRHHS operations include two hospitals, a cancer care and research center, as well as primary and multi-specialty care clinics in nine rural communities.
www.lrhc.org
Dave Bickett, Director
Constituency: Telecommunications
Dave is the GM/CEO for Park Region Telephone Company in Underwood, MN. He also manages Valley Telephone in Browns Valley and Otter Tail Telcom in Fergus Falls.
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Dave currently serves as a Board Member for the Minnesota Telecom Alliance, Chairman of the Minnesota Independent Coalition, Board member for the Lake Region Healthcare Foundation, Chairman of the Board for 702 Communications and previously served on the NECA Rate Development task force and as Chairman for the Minnesota Telecom Alliance.
Kendra Olson, Director
Constituency: Legal​
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Kendra is a Partner at Pemberton Law's Fergus Falls office. She is a member of the firm's Civil Litigation group and she practices primarily in the areas of personal injury, commercial litigation, construction defects, employment matters, and professional malpractice.
Kendra is a member of the Minnesota State Bar Association and the Federal Bar Association. She is licensed to practice in Minnesota and North Dakota state and federal courts in addition to the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals.
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Kendra has a passion for the arts, especially for dance, and is proud to be a member of the Fergus Falls' Center for the Arts board of directors. Kendra also volunteers her time as a board member for the Fergus Falls Area Family YMCA.

Ben Schierer, Director
Constituency: City Government, Mayor of Fergus Falls
Ben was elected mayor in 2016 and was named a Bush Fellow in 2020. He believes that inclusivity and equity are not simply campaign slogans but a way of governing and a way to build vital communities. As a business owner and mayor of Fergus Falls, he wants to foster conversations to counter misinformation and division along political, racial and geographic lines.
John Zwiers, Past President
Constituency: Health Services and Housing for Seniors​
With a career that has spanned nearly three decades in long term care, John Zwiers, has spent the previous 12 years as the administrator of LB Homes, a non-profit, nationally incorporated organization which celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2015.
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LB Homes is made up of Broen Home – Long Term Living and Short Stay Unit, Sheridan House Independent Living, Alcott Manor Assisted Living, Lakeland Home Care, Lakeland Hospice and the newest venture, Woodland Lodge – Enhanced Assisted Living. John previously worked as administrator for two other long term care facilities in Grand Rapids and Clarkfield, MN. He was named Chief Operating Officer of LB Homes in 2012.
Nick Leonard, Secretary and Director
Constituency: County Government
As Deputy Administrator/Communications and External Relations Director, Nick leads initiatives to develop and grow the County economically in collaboration with public and private sector partners.
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David Arvig, Treasurer and Director
Constituency: Telecommunications​
David Arvig is the Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of Arvig Enterprises, Inc., and its
subsidiaries. He also serves as president of Compass Consultants, Inc.
For nearly 30 years, David has been actively involved in the telephone industry and has made a commitment to serving the rural areas of Minnesota. His vision – and the vision of Arvig Enterprises, Inc. – is to be the best service provider anywhere, striving to continually deliver next-generation communications services to rural Minnesota customers and keeping them in front of the digital divide.
In addition to his involvement in many business-related organizations, David has been an active citizen, making community one of his top priorities. He has served two terms as the mayor of Twin Valley, Minnesota; and currently serves on the board of directors for the Perham Economic Development Authority and Lake Region Community Partners.

John Erickson, Director
Constituency: Electric Energy
John is a former President and CEO and current Board of Directors member of Otter Tail Corporation, headquartered in Fergus Falls, MN. Otter Tail Corporation is a diversified company with interests in manufacturing, construction and plastics in addition to its principle subsidiary Otter Tail Power Company.
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John has been involved with numerous community and regional activities including the MN Chamber of Commerce Board, NDSU Alumni Association Board and Lake Region Healthcare Board. John views Lake Region Community Partner’s mission to be making Otter Tail County an even better place to work and live.
James Espeland, Director
Constituency: Banking, Finance
Jim is President & CEO of First National Bank of Henning/Ottertail and Battle Lake. He is also the current director of United Bankers Bank of Bloomington, a past director of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis and past Chairman of Independent Community Banks of Minnesota.
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Jim also serves on his church council, as Director of Lakes Area Development Corporation, and on the Henning Medical Clinic Board. Jim has a county-wide vision in which we strive to work together as individual communities to make Otter Tail County a dynamic environment which promotes life long learning and personal growth.
Katie Johnson
Constituency: Healthcare
Katie is the VP of Marketing for Lake Region Healthcare in Fergus Falls and serves as Secretary/Treasurer for the LRCP board. Her community involvement has included service on several boards including the Fergus Falls Chamber, Economic Improvement Commission, Convention & Visitors Bureau, United Way, and the YMCA. She is a master certified Health & Wellness coach and enjoys helping people reach their health goals in her spare time.
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Katie's vision is to preserve and grow this region's sense of community, which stems from her upbringing on a small farm near Battle Lake where she learned that meaningful work and service to others are the truest forms of a life well-lived.
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Laurel Nelson, Director
Constituency: Retail
Laurel is dealer and general manager responsible for maintaining market share of the Nelson Auto Center franchises, managing new and used vehicle inventory and parts inventory, hiring and supervising sales, service, parts, collision center staff, maintaining customer satisfaction, and responsible for consistent profitability. She does all of this work in the context of being a contributing business community member.
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Laurel received her MS in Nursing Administration from the University of North Dakota. She is an active community service leader and serves as the Treasurer for Lake Region Healthcare's Board of Trustees.
Jeremy Kovash, Director
Constituency: Regional Service Cooperative
Jeremy Kovash is the Executive Director for the Lakes Country Service Cooperative, providing regional support to schools, cities, counties, non-profits and other government agencies in west central Minnesota. Kovash and the Lakes Country Service Cooperative are responsible for educational services, cooperative purchasing, technology, finances, wellness, health and safety and risk management.
Jeremy serves on the board of directors for the Minnesota Rural Education Association (MREA), the Minnesota Association of School Administrators (MASA) and the Perham Hospital. In addition, Kovash currently serves as the Legislative Chairperson for The Minnesota Service Cooperatives.
Tim Thompson, Director
Constituency: Electric Energy
Tim Thompson is the CEO of Lake Region Electric Cooperative, headquartered in Pelican Rapids, MN. Serving as a strategic thinker, leader and manager for the co-op, Tim also provides leadership to the community through his involvement in the Pelican Rapids Chamber of Commerce, Pelican Rapids Economic Development, several service clubs and serving on the Resco board.
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Tim's vision for Lake Region Community Partners is to leverage the collective resources of the group to influence positive change for our region.
Lee Rogness
Constituency: Agriculture and County Commissioner
Lee has spent his entire career Career focused on the Agri-Business community. He is currently employed by RDO Equipment and serves as a County Commissioner in Otter Tail County. Lee also operates Rogness Bros. LLP, a farming operation and real-estate development company with his brothers.
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Previously he was the owner/operator of Interstate Inc. farm equipment dealership and is a past board member and President of the Minnesota & South Dakota Equipment Dealer Association.
Lee is currently President of the Board of Directors for LB Homes (Nursing, Assisted Living, Independent Living Facilities and Operations) and is a member and Board Member of Bethel Lutheran Church. Lee and his wife have three grown daughters.
Jerry Ness
Constituency: K-12 Public Education
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​Gerald "Jerry" Ness is retired Superintendent of Fergus Falls Public School District 544. He is active in public service with the United Way, A Center for the Arts, Forward Fergus Falls, Progress Fergus Falls, 544 Education Foundation and Dollars for Scholars.
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Jerry also serves as Leader of MOB - Men of Bethlehem at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls. Jerry's Vision is to prepare productive citizens through academic excellence in partnership with families and community.
Other Leaders & Advisors
The Following Leaders are in line LRCP Directorship and/or serve as regular attendees and advisors to the group:
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DeWayne Roberts, Territory Manager for PPG Industries
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Michelle Eldien, Otter Tail County Attorney
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Hal Leland, Former Mayor, City of Fergus Falls
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Larry Krohn, Retired Administrator, Otter Tail County
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Gary Spies, Retired Owner of Service Food Market
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