Ensuring CEO’s long-term growth and impact in the community.
Our board of local volunteers manages the core functions that keep CEO strong.
Active Board Members
The Community Leaders Behind CEO
WHAT CEO BOARD MEMBERS DO
Board members are active, engaged community leaders who volunteer their time and expertise to the operational oversight of our local CEO Program.
Facilitator Support: Board members provide ongoing support to the CEO Facilitator.
Event Planning: Board members plan and execute key CEO events, including investor and mentor socials, and the student trade show.
Student Recruitment & Selection: Board members organize recruitment efforts, engage with local schools, and oversee the selection of CEO students.
Mentorship Coordination: Board members recruit mentors, manage mentor-student pairings, and ensure mentor program success.
School Liaison: Board members maintain communication with school administrators to coordinate student participation and scheduling.
Investor Recruitment & Care: Board members recruit and maintain relationships with local investors, ensuring the program's financial sustainability.
Who is a board member?
Meet the local leaders who make up our CEO Board.

Kati Birhanzl
Career CoordinatorBoard ChairAs the Career Coordinator at the Montevideo High School, I work with students to explore and ... Learn More

Kati Birhanzl
Career CoordinatorBoard Chair Committees: Facilitator Review / Hire, School CoordinatorAs the Career Coordinator at the Montevideo High School, I work with students to explore and experience careers so they can develop a clear career plan. I coordinate and develop two-way partnerships between our school and industry. I have 15 years of experience in Human Resources and Youth Development prior to becoming an educator. I am excited at the opportunities our students will have by joining CEO!

Derek Golberg
AccountantTreasurer
Derek Golberg
AccountantTreasurer Committees: Investor Recruitment & Care
Becky Pauling
OwnerSecretary
Becky Pauling
OwnerSecretary
Brett Almich
OwnerBoard MemberI am a business owner in southwest Minnesota. I have 3 grocery stores in the communities of Granite ... Learn More

Brett Almich
OwnerBoard Member Committees: Investor Recruitment & Care, MentoringI am a business owner in southwest Minnesota. I have 3 grocery stores in the communities of Granite Falls, Clara City, and Slayton. I also have multiple rental properties in the area. I love entrepreneurship, every day I wake up excited for my next adventure in business. I enjoy volunteering my time with local organizations that help our youth, from coaching to mentoring. I grew up in Granite Falls, left for college, started my first job, then came back to Granite Falls to cement my roots here. My wife Danielle and I have 3 childern Drew, Alana, and Calen.

Todd Bossuyt
Executive VP/COO - North Star Mutual Insurance CompanyBoard MemberTodd grew up in Southwest MN on a farm in between Cottonwood and Marshall MN. Green Valley to be ... Learn More

Todd Bossuyt
Executive VP/COO - North Star Mutual Insurance CompanyBoard Member Committees: Investor Recruitment & CareTodd grew up in Southwest MN on a farm in between Cottonwood and Marshall MN. Green Valley to be more specific. Attended Cottonwood public school, now Lakeview Public school. Graduated from St. Cloud State University- Herberger Business School with a B.S. degree in marketing. Lived and worked in the St. Cloud area for about 4 years after college as a Logistics analyst, aka replenishment buyer of restaurant food and supplies, for International Multifoods before moving back to the Cottonwood area to begin working for Reinhart foods as their Frozen Foods buyer for the Marshall, MN location. In 1999 looking for a career change a move to North Star Mutual Insurance company was made, starting out as a Field Representative for 2 years and eventually moving into the home office in Cottonwood and beginning a 20 year career in Underwriting. Todd's current role is Executive Vice President/Chief operating officer at Norh Star Mutual. Todd and his wife Janelle is also employed at North Star in the I.T. dept. as a developer/programmer, currently reside in Cottonwood, MN. Their son Brock is a freshman at SDSU in Brookings, SD and is adjusting to college life well and can ususally be found fishing somewhere. Their daughter Reagan is an 8th grader at Lakeview and is kept busy with several sporting activities and hanging out with friends. In his spare time Todd enjoys hunting, fishing, golf, watching Gopher and Viking's games and pontoon cruises at the lake.

Linda Dieken
Former Co-Owner of Extreme Panel Tech., Inc.Board MemberFormer co-owner/CFO of Extreme Panel Technologies, a manufacturer of Structural Insulated Panels. Learn More

Linda Dieken
Former Co-Owner of Extreme Panel Tech., Inc.Board Member Committees: Investor Recruitment & CareFormer co-owner/CFO of Extreme Panel Technologies, a manufacturer of Structural Insulated Panels.

Scott Hanson
PrincipalBoard Member7-12th Grade Principal Lakeview Public School Learn More

Scott Hanson
PrincipalBoard Member Committees: School Coordinator7-12th Grade Principal Lakeview Public School

Kelly Lindeman
Financial AdvisorBoard MemberKelly grew up on a farm in a small town in SE South Dakota. Shortly after graduating from South ... Learn More

Kelly Lindeman
Financial AdvisorBoard Member Committees: Investor Recruitment & CareKelly grew up on a farm in a small town in SE South Dakota. Shortly after graduating from South Dakota State University, Kelly and his family located in Montevideo in June of 1998. Kelly spent 21 years with the Minnwest Bank organization doing Ag lending during that time. Kelly had a desire to start his own business. He was presented the opportunity to partner in an established Prudential office in Montevideo. Kelly's experiences with working for someone else and operating his own business gives good perspective to this program as a board member. Kelly's goals and aspirations of this program are to make area students better aware of the job opportunties that the Montevideo area has with the hopes to retain more students back to this area to work so that our area can grow and prosper.

Rich Schneider
SuperintendentBoard MemberI am the YME superintendent located in Granite Falls, MN. I have been in this position since 2018. ... Learn More

Rich Schneider
SuperintendentBoard Member Committees: Facilitator Review / Hire, School CoordinatorI am the YME superintendent located in Granite Falls, MN. I have been in this position since 2018. My background includes school principal (17 years), teacher & coach (12 years) and military (28 years in SDNG). I also serve in Kiwanis, Lions, GF Building Commission, and other professional boards. My wife, Sheri and I make Granite Falls our home.

Stacie Schuler
CFOBoard Member... Learn More

Stacie Schuler
CFOBoard Member Committees: Event Coordinator...